What Does Google Have To Say About Your Sellers?
The world is a different place today, and even if you're not online, you ARE ONLINE. Unless you've been living in a cave for the past 30 years, if someone "Googles" your name, they will likely find someplace where you are mentioned - public documents, meeting minutes for local organizations, boards you serve on, mentions in the newspaper, sports activities, or any number of places. The same is true in real estate for buyers and sellers.
Buyers and Sellers are more Internet savvy than ever. I have had two instances recently where a buyer was interested in a house, looked the property up online in tax records, and did a Google search of the seller's names.
The first buyer discovered that one of the seller's was formally a tennis star and that the family had owned some local restaurants. The second buyer learned about the seller's profession and actually found his Blog online. Read What Is That Seller Thinking? Just Read His Blog to Find Out!
I don't think either instance changed the outcome of the transaction but it did make me stop to think about how it changes the real estate transaction.
When you are working for a seller in a real estate transaction, the seller may not always want to disclose personal reasons for a sale - a divorce, death in the family, financial issues of the seller, etc. because it may speak to their motivation. If a buyer knows that they have to sell, it can affect the offering price.
Transparency is something we strive for in social media, and with the power of the Internet, it seems it applies to everyone - whether they realize it or not.
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Kevin and Monica Ray are Missoula Real Estate sales and marketing professionals for Access Realty in beautiful Western Montana. We provide services in, but not limited to: Missoula, Superior, Alberton, Saint Regis, Lolo, Clinton, Turah, Potomac, Florence, Corvallis, and Hamilton.
For more information on Missoula Real Estate or surrounding areas, they can be reached at 406-207-1185 or online at www.AccessRealty.net.
Hi Kevin and Monica. Gee .. this one raises some really interesting issues. If I bounce over to the perspective of the seller, is this transparency, or a one-way mirror in which he is being examined? Maybe that part about "whether they realise it or not" suggests some new responsiblities we may have as we advise our seller clients?
Agree-- looking at Google, and Facebook and other web sites help to get to know a seller or buyer.
Kevin ^ Monica, My clients I'm sure Google me but I rarely try to look up a name. I've done it on a few occasions, however, just to be on the safe side. And some people just might be in a cave because they dont' come up anywhere!
Hi Bob, I agree, seller's don't necessarily want to be viewed by potential buyers but unless they are completely anonymous, it may be hard to do.
Bob - I hadn't done that before but not a bad idea.
Carole - Interesting, I guess I can see that some people wouldn't show up but I'm also surprised about what does show up, strange things like meeting minutes for clubs and small newspaper notices.
Hi Kevin and Monica - These issues are becoming more and more important - not just for real estate transactions but for privacy and employment purposes too.