As a REALTOR®, you know REALTOR.ca is the No. 1 platform for Canadian real estate listings (Comscore). In 2020, REALTOR.ca received 374 million visits by 73 million visitors.
To make the most of this important marketing tool, we’ve put together a list of four things your listing might be missing, so you don’t miss out on any potential leads.
1. Photos
Did you include a photograph of the property’s garage? What about a shot of inside the shower? While most residential listings will include photos of staples like the primary bedroom, kitchen and living room there are a few locations you might have missed that consumers are interested in viewing. Regardless of what type of property your listing is (including land or vacant lots), photos are important!
Did you know 60% of visitors who view REALTOR.ca listings click on the photos? In 2020, REALTOR.ca visitors clicked on photo carousels more than 687 million times. Consumers who access these galleries on REALTOR.ca will, on average, have more than five listing pageviews per session and are 20% more likely to contact a REALTOR®.
2. Video/multi-media
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how important video is.
Before March 12, 2020, 15% of listings included a virtual tour (such as Matterport, iGuide or YouTube) but this quickly grew to 25% in a matter of weeks and continues to grow. Adding video, virtual tours or 3D tours is a great way to allow buyers to experience a listing from the comfort of their own home.
There are currently 10 virtual tour providers that integrate with REALTOR.ca to help home buyers immerse themselves in a listing from the comfort of their couch.
Additionally, REALTORS® have the ability to promote upcoming live stream open houses directly on their REALTOR.ca listings.
3. An updated REALTOR® profile
A snapshot of your REALTOR® profile appears on each of your listings and in the Find a REALTOR® search results. Promote yourself to potential clients by updating the information and your photo in your board or association’s MLS® System*. Be sure to include:
- your preferred email address;
- a high-resolution and up to date photo;
- REALTOR® profile information;
- trading areas;
- client ratings and testimonials;
- your social media profiles and languages; and
- include any professional designations.
*Available fields may vary based on your board or association’s MLS® System.
TIP: According to a study by the National Association of REALTORS®, 74% of consumers looking for a REALTOR® only contact one agent during their home buying or selling journey, so it’s crucial to have as much up-to-date information as possible to attract more leads.
4. A detailed listing description
Your REALTOR.ca listing description is one of the first things a prospective buyer will see when looking for a home. While the data fields provide the “bones” of a listing—the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type of heating, square footage, etc.—the description ties all the information together, tells a story and sets the scene.
You don’t want to be overly flowery with your words and you’ll want to avoid the use of ALL CAPS. Learn more about making the right impression with your listing description.
Learn more ways you can leverage the benefits of REALTOR.ca:
- Save Time, Gain Exposure: REALTOR.ca DDF® Partners with Microsoft Bing
- Exclusive New Features on the REALTOR.ca Listing Stats App
- 7 Tips for REALTORS® to Grow Their Business During COVID-19 and Beyond
If you have any questions, please contact our Member Experience Centre.
