The Seattle RE BarCamp, which is the premier annual real estate marketing and technology event in Washington and the northwest was held last Thursday in Seattle under the shadow of the Seattle Space Needle. This is a major training and sharing event for Realtors, and yours truly participated as a panelist on video production and video blogging. I had a great time talking with other top producers from all over the northwest. These are Realtors who are on the cutting edge of marketing for their clients using the most powerful technologies and the Internet.
Seattle RE BarCamp
Seattle RE BarCamp
In this photo, the panelists on the Video Production session was a big hit. Chuck Marunde, on the far right, was a teacher (“panelist”) on the subject of how Realtors can effectively market their listings on the Internet and reach buyers effectively using videos. The Seattle RE BarCamp held many sessions throughout the day on the hot topics of the day for helping buyers and sellers in this real estate market.
Seattle RE BarCamp
“I was surprised that only about 2% of the Realtors in the northwest region attended this event. I was more surprised that not a single Realtor from Clallam County, apart from myself, attended. This is the latest and most important technology information and marketing information to hit the industry, and you would think Realtors would climb over each other to attend and learn how they can effectively market listings and help their clients achieve their goals. But apparently not.”
When asked why more Realtors from the mainstream did not attend or seem not to be interested in technology and Internet marketing, Chuck replied, “As I wrote in my book, The New World of Marketing for Real Estate Agents, the traditional real estate brokerage model is broken, and the majority of my brethren are stuck in a 20-year old business model. That’s one of the reasons clients are frustrated, but it is a major reason so many brokers are closing their doors and consolidating, not to mention a reason so many Realtors have left the business entirely.”
The Seattle RE BarCamp was a tremendous networking and learning experience for Realtors who want to be early adopters and meeting their clients needs with the latest technologies.
Last Updated on September 4, 2011 by Chuck Marunde
Kudos to you for your constant involvement in the changing real estate world ! As you mention in the article, it is surprising that not one person from the real estate community from Clallam County attended. Guess they think they are above this. From our experience, when we were looking for real estate in the Port Angeles area a few years ago, we knew more of what was going on at times then our agent. Some agents do not even know what is happening in their area. They don’t make it a point to find out so again, as a buyer, we did our own homework. Many agents DO NOT want to change, but it is inevitable. Those keeping on top of new technology will be the ones to survive this market. The days of buyers just signing the line are over ! We as buyers and sellers are more in tune and have access to most any information you need to know BEFORE you sign that line. Some of the local architects and home designers need to get with the program as well. The computer could save hours of design time if they would buy the software to show the virtual design ! As you say , as a buyer , we were frustrated as well with some of the archaic systems being used. We suggested to one architect to use SKYPE, as we live out of state . This would have helped us SEE many things and be able to discuss “real time” many details, changes, and problems. It is a FREE service. But they just don’t want to bother. No wonder buyer and sellers are “turned off”. Thanks Chuck, for doing all you can to assist future buyers and sellers. Keep the info coming !!!!