Has anyone tried House4Cell.com? Its a service where you put a text message code on your yard sign, and when people text the code they get back the details on the house as well as interior photos. It seems pretty expensive and I know there are others out there but I don't know their names. Any thoughts? Experiences?

why that? put your websites on a sign and add visit site for photos. i think thats a good way to get people to your site as well as looking at your listing

We go further than that, we put a unique domain name for each property on the sign, so people can go direct to the listing instead of our homepage. But they have to get out a piece of paper and a pen and write it down and go home without losing that piece of paper and then type it into their computer. The Y generation likes to text message. With this service they text the code on your sign and get a message back with the details on the place, photos, and a link to your web site.... seems like a great idea, but it also seems quite pricey. Anyone tried it?

Yeah, I've seen similar services being offered in England but we are not using it yet. I don't think it's that popular either.

The difference is that almost everyone has a cell phone now and a huge number of them use text messaging and are comfortable with it. Sending them to your web site is great, but they can't do that sitting in front of the property, when they just want a few specifics.

There is a free way to do this. First, set up a blog for the property on any free blog platform. All the blog needs is one post, which is a short one with just the text you want to send out on a text message query. Remember that somewhere under 160 characters, including title, is what you want if possible. More than that will send multiple messages. The blog will provide an RSS feed url that you'll use in the next step.

Second, use http://open.4info.net to set up a free account for text messaging. This will walk you through setting up a return text message with the RSS feed from above. There will be a very short three or four word ad at the end, but that's the price of a free service.

To try it, text vlnewhome to 44636 (4info), where I've set up a sample.

Jim Kimmons you rock! Thanks so much for this information

Well, I am sure we have all seen ads on TV to send a text message to (whatever number), but there is a charge for it. Why not setup the same thing, so then people that text message your numbers get their phones charged?

I saw this site advertised in the realtor magazine & was considering using it...

http://www.text-ed.com

I just tested your sample... this is an awesome idea, thanks for the free link!

Thanks guy for all your information.
Let technology help us in our job lol

I'd to suggest TxtAhouse.com too, we recently added video support (works for any phone that accepts video streams, not just the iphone)

i haven't signed up on it yet but curious...
is there a way to track the phone users that used the text feature? still awesome nonetheless.

We are in the process of setting this up for our listings. The end result will have three features. 1) a brief text message with the price, MLS #, Realtor Info, etc. 2) for browser enabled cell phones a link to the listing page with photos, 3) a text message to the agent with information on who in inquiring on the listing.

Hopfully, this will allow the agents to know that a potential buyer is sitting in front of a listing and want more information.

I am not sure why the Free Recorded Message was not mentioned in this thread.

While Text Messaging is an idea, it is not a tested method so you will be the first to test it really. Not everyone knows how to text message, so you will be missing on some leads. How much info you can send through the text message is too limited.

Add a "Free Recorded Message" phone number, people feel much more compelled to call a recorded message because they don't want to talk to "pushy" salesman yet.

The free recorded message would allow you to capture their phone number to call them later, use your voice and selling ability to sell them on the idea of seeing the house. A text message is just that, too short and no passion in it.

I like having more than one sign infront of the property because more than 1, draws more attention and more interest in calling. It is Real Estate Investing marketing trick I've learned.

Happy marketing!
Fadi

Greetings,
Everyone has some good thoughts. It's great to have come across this conversation. You know - whether you are into your technology or not, whether you are carrying a palm or blackberry, etc. or not - the fact you need to realize is that your customers are. Your customers are craving information NOW and they aren't willing to wait for it. They are much less likely to write down your web address (much less remember it) and then take the time when they get home to grab that piece of paper and log onto their computers. They just have too much to do within their day.
Real Estate Text Presention, done correctly, can you in the right place (in front of your customer), at the right time (the moment they are interested), with the right technology (instant, in there hands, always with them)
During out local search enhancment ( [url=http://search4itlocal.com]Search 4 It Local[/url]) We often recommend PropertyTexts.com to our Real Estate clients.
3 Critical components exist for the consumer.
1) The client texts for information and receives full property information plus pictures of the property
2) The client can then answer that text message with a code and request a brochure be sent to their email address
3) The client can also answer that text message and request a showing

And for the Agent
1) You are informed that you have an interested client
2) You are informed that the client has requested a brochure
3) You are informed that the client has requested a showing and can, with the touch of a button, confirm that showing (or place a phone call to schedule a different time)

The information has been logged in a database and now you have a central location where you can log in and, for example, pull up all the customers who were interested in the brownstone that just had it's price reduced - Text them all in one swoop and let them know this new deal has popped up.

Here is good read for you. It's by Mathew Ferrara and it's called "Why REALTORS Still Fail Consumers"
There is a link to the article at [url=http://propertytexts.com/Mobile-Realtor/mobile-realtor-introductions.html]PropertyTexts.com/mobile-realtor-introductions.html[/url]
Click on the "Mathew Ferrara" link in the head box.

Hope I helped.

Derek Brown
CEO
[url=http://WebXsposure.com]WebXsposure.com[/url]

okay. Yea text messaging is good and fun and simple. But how do you get a hold of those leads who inquired about a certain piece of property?

I work with a program called Talk Fusion. I'm also an independent associate of the company by spreading the word about this product.

Its a video email service available at a price cheaper than your current spendings on marketing. forget relying on the person to read and be excited about TEXT.

Under 10% of what is read is remembered.
under 15% of what is heard is remembered.
over 75% of what is heard, seen and experienced is remembered.

with video email the client can personally see you in high definition video representing a property and answering questions.

the emails can also be viewed on Iphones and any other phone using a windows based platform.

Also with Talkfusion you are able to see who is watching what video and at exactly what time. We are also the ONLY video email program available that has a great reputation with HABEAS. So you will never have to worry about emails not making it to the inbox.


you competitive marketers out there should definately look into being a customer. With Keller williams and remax already using Talkfusion, its no wonder they are leading real estate agencies.

send me a private message and I will send you a link and whatever you need to know about it.

Its easy, exciting, and fun!

I wonder how hard this would be to implement yourself, most carriers have an email address for text messaging (sprint, cingular, tmobile, etc) which could be set to automatically send out when a message is received. Perhaps the only problem would be receiving it, something that could be solved with a program that answers modem calls. Any programmers here have ideas on this?

Jim - that's quite the workaround! I see the value of text messages vs. sending people to the website, but your solution seems to do both!

Thanks for the suggestion.