Putting the ‘Real’ in Realtor

How do you know if a Realtor’s online personality represents who they really are?

In our internet-dominated society, you have to wonder if the info you’re reading on a Realtor’s website represents who they really are, or if it’s just some ghost-written mumbo-jumbo meant to get you onto their website.

Websites and blogs have become the eHarmony of the real estate world, connecting homebuyers, sellers and Realtors based on what the Realtors post online in the same way that eHarmony connects singles based on personality profiles and a few photos. Just as in eHarmony and other dating sites, Realtors and other online marketers can easily do a ‘bait-and-switch’, giving you one impression online and a completely different personality when you meet them in person.

How many of us have seen Realtor business cards with photos that are 20 years old (or more)? And how do you feel when you actually meet this Realtor face-to-face… surprised, disappointed, misled? Same goes for an internet presence via a Realtor’s website, blog, Facebook or Twitter account, or wherever you happen encounter them online – what they post online should be a good indication of who they are in person.

Look for the ‘real’ in Realtor, where what they’re presenting online is really who they are, and is a good representation of who will be helping you with buying or selling your next home. There are lots of ghost-writing services for Realtors that put up-to-date content on their websites and blogs (and Facebook and Twitter), and while this may make an interesting read once in a while, it is not a true representation of who the Realtor really is.

Remember the Memorex commercials, ‘Is it Real, or is it Memorex’? Same goes for selecting a Realtor. Make sure that there is a connection between who she is in person, and how she presents herself online. Pick up the phone and do a mini-interview to be sure!

Santa Clarita Realtor Linda Slocum is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) specializing in Santa Clarita residential real estate and short sales. You can reach her at 661.670.0349 or at Linda@SantaClaritaRealEstateBlog.com. To search for Santa Clarita homes, use our neighborhood search tools or visit HoneyStartPacking.com.