Online Communities Build Buzz for Real Estate

A growing number of real estate practitioners and brokers are joining online community sites to increase their exposure.

These sites enable agents to inform the public about their services in an effort to generate leads. They also provide a space for consumers to review, recommend, and inquire about particular real estate professionals.

One online community that is gaining popularity in the Seattle area is Judy's Book, which offers a five-star rating system for real estate brokerages and other businesses.

Judy's Book co-founder and CEO Andy Sack says online communities are effective in jump-starting communications between consumers and businesses.

"You always try to increase your marketing — increase your grassroots efforts to ... solidify your name in the community," says Jon Hunter, a Seattle real estate practitioner and a Judy's Book member says.

Other online communities include Brokerate.com — which focuses on the Brooklyn, N.Y., market — and Curbed.com's New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco blogs - and AliceDonahue.com in South Padre Island

Source, Inman News Features, Roberts Jr., Glenn