Sharing Pictures And...Buying Homes are putting more effort into their presence in order to connect with potential clients and develop relationships through the site, often through the use of specialized applications (apps). For example, the CENTURY 21 Manyreal estate professionals are taking things a step further to provide their community with all they have to offer directly through Facebook. (NAPSA)—Whetherit’s reunit- ing with old friends, sharing pic- tures or asking for recommendations, people are relying on Facebook more and more to manage their daily lives. According to Nielsen’s State of the Media: Social Media Report, Americans spend more time on Facebook than any other website. With 800 million active users who average more than six hours a month on the networkingsite, it’s no surprise that Facebook is affecting how we connect with other people, seek out advice and even buy homes. “For today’s homebuyers and sellers, one of the most convenient waysto identify, research and connect with a real estate professional is through Facebook,” said Bev Thorne, CMO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “When you think about it, Facebook is all about relationships, a very impor- tant thing when you're searching for someone to guide you through one of the most significant moves you'll makeinlife.” Giving HomebuyersandSellers Real Estate Tools Online Today’s new generation of homebuyers is increasingly turning to social networks to begin searches rather than walking into an office and seeking the help of a real estate professional. Whether they realize it or not, users are single-handedly making Facebook the latest word-of-mouth marketing powerhouse. These devoted users, 50 percent of whom return daily, aren’t just sharing gossip and pictures with friends—they’re asking for and sharing advice. Buyers and sellers can rest assured—realestate professionals are taking notice of their desire to connect via Facebook. Realtors recognize the impact Facebook can have on their business and Application for Facebook lets CENTURY 21 Brokers customize their landing page and connect with existing and potential new clients directly through Facebook. With information on current listings and homebuyer andseller toolkits, the app provides people with all the information they need to start their homebuying or selling process, without ever leaving Facebook. Tips for homebuyers and sellers using Facebook: eAsk yourfriends for input. Facebook is a way to reach out to several friends and neighborsall at once to ask for their advice on local real estate professionals they'd recommend. eCheck out local real estate agents’ Facebook pages. Before deciding whetheror not you want to reach out to a real estate professional, spend some time on their Facebook page—it should give you someinsights into their services and specialties. ePay attention to content. A sign of a reliable, knowledgeable real estate professional is that they regularly share local market news and trends while consistently engaging with their network. Look for additional re- sources. Many real estate professionals will offer tools, such as the ability to view current listings and mortgage calculators, making Facebook your one-stop shop for real estate research. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/century21 to find an agent or begin your property search.
