Heat Up Your Videos with These Lead-Generating Topics


Most agents are busy creating videos for their social media, but not all of them are generating leads. Here are details of video topics that instill FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) into surfers while helping you engage more leads.

Educational videos help calm fears about making a mistake during a major financial transaction. Consider topics that will help buyers spot property issues during walk-throughs, home warranties, and how sellers and agents can decide on an ideal price.

Listing walk-through videos work especially well when you highlight the property's unique features. A relaxed, comfy vibe like this video portrays can make would-be buyers especially keen to view a home. You can even borrow moments from the video, such as scenes where you or the seller are enjoying the property's best features.

Agent introduction videos can be nerve-racking unless you follow one or more of these tips. a) Include one or two testimonials from satisfied clients if possible. b) If you pride yourself on being a community expert, add some footage that proves this, such as you chatting with local retailers. c) New to the business? Ask a senior agent or broker to interview you.1


NBC Introduces the Home Buyer Market Index


Both agents and buyers are already coping with rising prices, but some areas are more buyer-friendly than others. These are now easier to identify, thanks to the new NBC News Home Buyer Index.

Developed with the help of real estate and banking analysts, the NBC Index rates each state's counties on a scale of 0 to 100 depending on these four factors:

  • Cost: How much a home costs relative to income, inflation, insurance and other related expenses.
  • Competition: How many buyers are actively bidding for homes. This is measured by numbers of homes selling above list price, and how many went under contract within two weeks of appearing on the MLS.
  • Scarcity: The current inventory, plus how many more are expected to be listed in the month ahead.
  • Economic instability: This rating looks at a county's market volatility, unemployment numbers and interest rates.
Generally, the NBC buyer ratings are predictable for seasoned agents. Rural counties near established employers score some of the lowest numbers, while Colorado and California counties often score higher rates.

The Index also publishes a national rating. Last month, this was 82.2, down slightly from April and nearly six points lower than it was this time one year ago.2


Hunt Down More Under-30s Online


While established sites like Facebook and X/Twitter are becoming less popular with Generation Z surfers aged 18 to 26, another site has become one of their highest-rated platforms. According to recent research, Reddit members rate the platform as trustworthy and important for research and discovery.

As explained by Reddit's research team:

"This tech-savvy generation, weary of traditional product research methods, is leading a charge towards curated recommendations and personalized shopping experiences."

Shoppers are relying less on search engines as other systems continue to improve. Instead, more are relying on recommendations posted within social networks. Generation Zers are particularly concerned when a business can't produce reliable, positive reviews.

While Reddit doesn't have algorithmic matching for product recommendations as such, it does provide ad tools to help you or your office post in the ideal subreddits.

To learn more, or to forward to your office's Web staff, download Reddit's How search marketers can keep up with Gen Z report here.3


Texas Loses RealtorĀ® Legend Ellen Terry


One of Dallas, Texas' most successful, respected real estate agents, Ellen Terry, died earlier this month at the age of 85.

Like many other agents, Ellen didn't start out selling homes. She was a former teacher living a comfortable married life until her Junior League meeting was interrupted by an unwelcome visitor: a tow truck driver repossessing her Mercedes-Benz.

She worked as a travel agent for a year before deciding to give real estate a try. She described meeting her first buyer: "I was waiting at a red light in my 12-year-old army green vehicle, when a former student pulled up next to me in a 500 SL Mercedes," Ellen said. "She pushed a button to roll her window down, and I had to crank mine down by hand."

The student was shopping for a home, and Ellen made her first sale. Her second happened just weeks later, earning her a $25,000 commission. The rest, as we say, was history. After 16 years growing her firm to 50 employees, she joined forces with real estate legend Ebby Halliday.

Before retiring, Ellen joined Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty, where she served as their executive vice president. During her career, Ellen supported several Texas non-profits including three women's shelters.4


I've Got Your Prospects' Numbers

If you're looking for ways to build relationships with prospects, especially first-time buyers, one win-win is to spend some time with them explaining how they can improve their credit scores.

Today's media headlines often send discouraging messages, suggesting that home ownership will be out of their reach for years to come. Encouraging them to become a credit score ninja can help them qualify for a lower interest rate on their mortgage. This will also give you opportunities to share positive news about their home buying plans, such as listings that are in their price range.

Here's more good news: I can provide educational materials designed especially for these prospects. Contact me so I can share them with you.v5

Sources: 1theclose.com, 2nbcnews.com, 3socialmediatoday.com, 4peoplenewspapers.com, 5keepingcurrentmatters.com