Survey Identifies Real Estate Agents’ Top 10 Marketing Preferences

Emeryville, Calif., March 11, 2010 — HomeGain®, a leading website that connects real estate agents with home buyers and sellers, today announced survey results of Realtors®’ top marketing practices and preferences.

Based on responses from over 1,300 real estate agents and brokers nationwide who completed the HomeGain Realtor Marketing Survey, the results show that they think referrals are the most effective strategy to acquire new clients, with a cumulative overall score of 8.7 out of a possible 10 for effectiveness. Surveyed agents reported that they will continue to focus on referrals as their leading marketing strategy in 2010. Featured listings (4.8 score) and email campaigns (4.7 score) were considered the next most effective marketing strategies.

The survey shows that Realtors rank banner ads, Twitter, pay per click advertising, YouTube and MySpace as the least effective marketing methods.

Although Realtors did not rank Facebook as a top five most effective marketing method (scored at 4.9), surveyed agents indicated that they will increase their use of it in their marketing plans in 2010.

The survey also shows that in 2010, real estate agents plan to continue to focus on referrals, email campaigns and featured listings. They are less likely to invest their marketing dollars and time on Twitter, banner ads, pay per click advertising, outdoor advertising and MySpace.

“While Realtors are increasingly moving their marketing activities online, it’s interesting to see the continued strength and perceived effectiveness of print and mailer campaigns,” stated Louis Cammarosano, General Manager at HomeGain.

Top 10 Effective Marketing Strategies for Realtors (Cumulative Average Scores, 1 = Least Effective /10 = Most Effective):

1. Referrals (8.7)
2. Featured Listings (4.8)
3. Email Campaigns (4.7)
4. Postcards/Mailers (4.6)
5. Blogging (4.1)
6. Online Lead Generation Services (4.0)
7. Facebook (4.0)
8. LinkedIn (3.6)
9. Outdoor Ads (3.6)
10. Print Ads (3.6)

Top 10 Marketing Objectives for Realtors in 2010 (Cumulative Averages, 1 = Least Likely to Use / 10 = Most Likely to Use):

1. Referrals (8.9)
2. Email Campaigns (5.7)
3. Postcards/Mailers (5.4)
4. Featured Listings (5.2)
5. Facebook (4.9)
6. Print Ads (4.3)
7. Blogging (4.2)
8. LinkedIn (4.1)
9. Online Lead Generation Services (4.0)
10. YouTube (3.5)

Cumulative averages are based on two surveys conducted in December 2009 and February 2010. 

HomeGain conducts regular surveys of Realtors, including the HomeGain Home Improvement Survey [1] and the quarterly HomeGain Home Prices Survey [2].

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About HomeGain
HomeGain is a leading provider of online marketing programs that connect real estate agents and brokers with home buyers and sellers. HomeGain offers free services to find and compare real estate agents, research home values, and view homes for sale. REALTORS® use HomeGain's real estate marketing programs to connect with consumers, promote their services and grow their business. HomeGain.com has been a top visited real estate website since 1999. HomeGain is your real estate connection.

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