For some time now, I have been working every angle for my clients; looking for new and innovative ways with which to market their properties.  This week I have been in New Orleans with Dilbeck Real Estate, now a Real Living franchisee.  To be honest, I have felt pretty comfortable with the fact that most Realtors are well behind the times when it comes to marketing, relying on the MLS and the newspaper to sell their homes.  I have prided myself about running circles around them – hey what can I say, I’m a competitive guy – yet most home sellers have no idea about these differences in Realtors or real estate companies.  It’s a little like insurance: my parents used this company or that, so when it was time for me to get insurance, I went to the same as my parents.  However, at this conference I have become aware of some Realtors and companies that are pushing the boundaries of real estate marketing using video as infomercials, social networking, texting and blogging in ways, frankly, never occurred to me.  These companies are becoming a resource for not just all things real estate but community as well, and they are blurring the line of what a Realtor is.  Now there’s good news and bad news here.  The bad news is that the vast majority of Realtors being hired by sellers today are dinosaurs, relying on old school ways to find buyers and market properties.  Don’t get me wrong, selling is still selling but few Realtors are really applying these techniques and these new mediums right now, and that’s the good news.

I have realized, here in New Orleans, that there are enormous differences between companies and not just agents.  It’s been an eye opening experience and I’m excited to share these concepts with my clients.  If the world of home selling is still a bit of the Wild West, then there is a new sheriff in town and it’s Real Living.  Look to hear more from me about them in the coming months, as Dilbeck and Real Living integrate the very best marketing and technologies out there, to better serve our clients and our community.  The future of real estate marketing is here, and it’s Real Living.