WhoHub- #1 Business App for Real Estate Agents to Increase Referrals
Why is it that the most effective applications and marketing tools are often the most simple to understand? When I meet with Realtors on a daily basis, they tell me that easy to understand marketing concepts resonate best with them. Understandable. Technology, especially apps are not supposed to be difficult to use. The concept of WhoHub is a simple and easy to use technology that shines light on its featured player…the Realtor. Brad LaTour, WhoHub’s CEO explains: “WhoHub combines the ease of sharing your trusted vendor network with the popularity of messaging. It allows the Realtor to be where their customers expect them to be–on their smart phone.”
WhoHub is the brain child of a successful, 28 year veteran of the real estate business, Gordon Wood. As a top agent at McEnearney Associates in Alexandria, Virginia he was continually inundated with questions from clients, past clients, sphere of influence, and other Realtors in his office…“hey, do you know a plumber, painter, home inspector, lender, carpet cleaner, etc.” Gordon thought, there has to be an easier way to store vendors into a master list where his clients and past clients can have 24/7 access through technology, while keeping him “top of mind.” Boom! WhoHub was born.
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As we draw closer to a Presidential election, we also enter a time where Realtors get blocked or unfriended on social media. Why? They just can’t control themselves when it comes to their favorite political candidate, social cause, and their every random thought. Doing this can cause Realtors and lenders to lose business and money. There are many instances where people use Facebook as their free website to post blog content and their deep feelings on issues. I have some advice if you are one of these people:
Are you using Facebook ads as part of your online/social media marketing strategy? If not, you may want to think again. Facebook ads are far more powerful to reach a “target audience” than using your Facebook timeline/Friends list. 
If you have followed my website and YouTube channel for any length of time, you know that I’m a HUGE fan of real estate video. Four years ago when I first started shooting videos for my target audience of Realtors and mortgage lenders, I didn’t know what would come of it and IF it would really help my business. I can now say that it is one of the best things I have ever done to grow my Title business. Fast forward four years to now, and I preach this message over and over to my Realtor clients and prospects. “Real Estate Video will help your business and convey your message though the medium consumers prefer!” I then get hit over and over with a series of excuses and anxiety ridden reason why they are camera-shy. These are Realtors that agree with and understand the value of using real estate video, yet still come up with reasons not to move forward and implement. My goal for my clients is to have them expand their business and brand to as many “qualified” people as possible. Video is the best way to make this happen. Let’s talk about how Realtors can overcome the stage fright and anxiety of using video in their business.
Ugh! Another social network that I have to learn and use? Yes, except Snapchat is not like other social networks. Snapchat is a video and picture application that allows you to send messages that last from 1-10 seconds to your followers. These messages are called “Snaps.” These video and picture messages don’t stick around though, because once the message exceeds the 10 second (or less) limit, it disappears. This “disappear” feature helps to keep your followers attention, knowing what they are seeing is about to be gone…forever. You can also text message your followers through the application and do face-time videos! 
Have you heard of a “bridge loan?” Many people have, but don’t know exactly what it does or how to get one. 
I was at a real estate event this past week and I had a conversation with a top producing agent. She told me she recently went on a listing appointment and the sellers had interviewed 4 agents. She was the last one in the door. She went on and explained that the sellers wanted her to lower her commission from 3% to 2.5% or even 2%. The previous 3 agents that presented before her ALL agreed to lower their commission. I asked her if this is happening more and more…sellers asking Realtors to lower their commission? She said that “Yes” she had seen it more and more over the last couple years. Why are sellers asking Realtors to lower their commission? I believe there are many factors in play. Let’s talk about those factors and how a real estate agent can best educate, and add value to sellers to earn that 3%.
I would say at least 3 -4 times a month I get this call or email from a Realtor: “Wade…we really want to use Stewart Title on this transaction, but this other Title Company says that if we go with them, they will give my buyer a free home warranty at closing. Can you guys do that?” That is when I have to drop the news, that the Title Company Home Warranty isn’t really free. Ever hear the phrase…”no such thing as a free lunch?” Think along those lines. You might be thinking that this doesn’t happen in your area of country, and you are probably right. It does happen in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area…all the time. There are several things about this marketing tactic to “earn business” that needs to be explained. Not only to real estate agents, but also the buyers and sellers on the transaction. It affects them as well.
As I keep teaching all kinds of real estate marketing and technology related classes throughout Northern Virginia, we are talking more and more about real estate video. In today’s world, it is a topic that really can no longer be avoided. So as Realtors are starting to face that implementing video into their business is a must, the next line of questioning relates to video marketing ideas. What do I shoot videos about? How do I get my video topic information? How do I upload them to YouTube? How do I 
The Spring market is arriving and that means a few things. Business is about to start booming and…Realtor Broker Opens! When I first moved to the Washington DC/Northern VA area in 2012 I didn’t know what a “Broker Open” was as this was something agents didn’t really do in Phoenix, AZ. I quickly find out that they were all the rage in Northern Virginia, and a way that Title Companies built relationships with agents. Having sponsored and taken part in many Realtor Broker Opens over the last 4 years there are ways to maximize Realtor traffic, expose the property, and get what you really want…honest property feedback from producing Realtors. Here are tips to dominating Realtor broker opens and making the most of those 3 hours.