January 11, 2010.
We're fast approaching the Winter Olympics, held this season in Vancouver/Whistler (February date).
I'm the Managing Broker of the Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) branch office, and my affiliation with the parent company, Sea to Sky Premier Properties, based in Whistler, allows me a venue of exposure for my listing clientele, in the international arena.
Real estate as an industry has changed profoundly, and it's the outcome of the internet's influence on our entire communications system that has created this mammoth shift. The car industry, the stock market side of investment, etc., all changed dramatically with the advent of the internet. Suddenly, the consumer was in control of the entire marketing and sales process. This is profound, and the outcomes are still being felt in the real estate investment side of things.
Franchises, where sales people follow a script put forth by the franchise, do not deliver the way they used to. Referrals, pre-internet, were company driven, and a consumer would ask an office in Toronto, say, for the name of a realtor in Victoria, for example. Thus, an affiliation with a national brand might have helped. Not today! The customer does their own search, and they also discover things about the community on their own, plus about the listing inventory. A realtor has no idea whether anyone is viewing their website or their company's site or even the mls system. The consumer can passively search until they are ready...there is no way for a seller or a realtor to "prime the pump" of action. Suddenly, in a secondary home/discretionary marketplace, time lags become a part of the sales equation, too, as the buyer profile becomes international/national, and not "local"
Nothing wrong with change...it is what it is. In almost every sphere, it seems, we are creating the 21st Century, and it is all driven by the "consumer is in control of the process" model. In change lies opportunity.
For real estate, this means partnerships, between like minded real estate agents, on a global basis, may take the place of the franchise model. It's important to be connected both locally and globally -- it's a "global village" now, remember! -- and to be easily "found" in an internet search. That much, agents have control over. After that, it's up to the buyer...depending upon the market trend in play, at any given moment, buyers may wish to act or not.
With my connection to the Whistler based Sea to Sky Premier Properties, which offers an affiliation with Christies Great Estates (a global/international opportunity), plus partnerships with national and international companies (including Luxury Real Estate), I do bring this global attention to my sellers. With my knowledge of Salt Spring Island and the Southern Gulf Islands (successfully connecting sellers and buyers, here, since 1989), I also offer that essential "local presence". Call me for details about the partnership aspect to the business, now, and find out what I can offer you...it's all about connections, today, and I look forward to sharing with you the things that make me different, and which produce results.
Right now, though, my listings are front and centre in the Whistler environment, and are there to catch the attention of any potential buyers for our beautiful area! The world is visiting Vancouver and Whistler, this February...the countdown is on!
More details? Call me!
liread33@gmail.com
How may I help you to discover special Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands? Call me!
