Should I Use Snapchat for My Real Estate Business?

In the near future, millennials and Gen Zers will make up the bulk of your clientele. In fact, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders, most people planning to buy a home in the next year overwhelmingly fall into one of these two generations. 

Only a mere 7% of Boomers and 3% of seniors are planning to buy in the next year.

So what does that mean for you, as a real estate agent? For one, it means getting to know these younger consumers — what they like, what matters most to them, and what kind of assistance they need when buying a home — is more important than ever. 

And from a marketing standpoint? It means getting on their level with the right tools, tech, and strategies to stay relevant.

Younger buyers aren’t using Facebook

Facebook ads and email marketing might work with Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, but younger buyers? They rarely use these communication platforms at all. 

Your best bet for connecting with these up-and-coming consumers is a faster-paced social tool called Snapchat. 

Snapchat has seen unparalleled adoption among younger users. Nearly 80% of all US internet users between ages 18 and 24 are on the platform, while 60% of those 25 to 34 are. Even a fair share of older demos are on the app.

The tool allows you to post up to 10-second photos and videos, enhancing them with various filters, stickers, emojis, text, and more. The platform also lets you advertise, building URLs and products directly into your snaps, or even creating custom, branded  “geofilters” that show up for users in designated locations. 

Why Snapchat works for real estate agents

Snapchat is a little different from other social media platforms out there and for most new users, it comes with a slight learning curve. Still, the extra effort is usually well worth it in the end. (Just ask these agents, who are using the app to sell $6 million apartment units in NYC!)

What are the Benefits of Snapchat for Real Estate Agent?

Snapchat has some major benefits for real estate agents. Here are just a few:

1. It’s a highly visual medium

   In real estate, visuals matter. They’re what entices buyers to bookmark a listing or attend an open house, and they’re the single-most-important piece of the marketing puzzle for a selling agent. Snapchat brings these visuals front and center in a fun, fast, and engaging way.

2. It’s good for building rapport.
   

   Buyers want to know and trust the agent they do business with, and Snapchat can help. With Snapchat, agents can interact with potential clients in real-time, answering questions, sending listings, and even giving on-demand tours or consults through the app. It brings down those agent-client walls and really helps build rapport between both parties.

3. It can be localized.

   Real estate is a highly localized business, and thanks to its custom geofilters feature, Snapchat can help you stand out in your local community. Create a branded geofilter for your office, for neighborhoods you cover, or even around model homes and home builders who might have clients in need of your services. Show them you’re the go-to expert in your area.

4. It’s easy and free to get started.
   

   You don’t need any money or a lot of tech know-how to get started with Snapchat. Just download the app, sync up your address book, and you can start snapping photos and videos right away. (Advertising and setting up geofilters will cost a fee, though)

How to use Snapchat for your business

Of course, diving into Snapchat doesn’t mean automatic success with younger clientele, but it is a step in the right direction.

Once you download the app and get your bearings, start using the tool to:

• Promote your listings
  

Post photos, go live with a walk-through tour, and set up geofilters for your open house events. You can also use ads that link out to your listing URLs.

• Interact with your followers
  

Follow people back, and be sure to interact with photos and content they post as well. You especially want to engage with local community members who might share your posts further.

• Give a peek behind the curtain
  

Show followers what goes on behind-the-scenes. Snap photos of your team staging a home or taking listing photos, or stop by your client’s lot to see real-life construction in action.

• Highlight fun features

Use your Snapchat to highlight the exciting and awe-worthy home features you come across in your work. Are there any amazing interiors you could share? DIY projects? What about smart home technologies? Snap a pic or video and share it with your followers.

Finally, use your Snapchat to promote your successes. Snap a photo of your latest buyer getting their keys, a video of a “sold” sign going up, or any other milestone that shows you’re a trusted expert in your region. 

Take care of those clients

Once your Snapchat efforts bring those younger buyers into the fold, make sure you refer them to a trusted mortgage lender who can walk them through the process. Reach out to Embrace Home Loans today to see how we can help.