Sept 08 Web Trends

October 14, 2008

OUCH!

We expected September’s report to reflect a decrease in web traffice due to the economic downturn.  But the significant drop across the board was a surprise.  Most sites we monitor experienced a loss of traffic ranging from 9% to 48% compared with traffic holding rather steady during the same time frame last year.  Yearly comparison shows that we’re holding onto a positive growth 1.5% while most sites are experiencing a loss of 25% - 40%.

 

The multi-state websites that we monitor also display a significant drop.  Redfin was the only one of them to show positve numbers (though very small) for the month and they’re showing an impressive postive growth of 285% for the year (Redfin … you’re not my favorite but congrats for a job well done). 

 

Traditionally, the month of October displays just a slight drop in traffic compared with September.  November is usually the most significant “off season” period. 

A lot of REALTORS are voicing expectaions that the coming presidential elections will help reverse this current trend in real estate activity.  I hope they’re right!

I can’t end this post with such a feeling of doom and gloom.  While the degree of traffic loss was unexpected, thank goodness we took steps last month to minimize its impact.  Daily reports from www.compete.com indicate that we’re experiencing positive growth so far this month.  Briorealty is also showing growth while the other sites are holding relatively steady.  I expect a good report for October as we get closer to the Holidays.

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Marketing, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Google Juice For New Friends

October 13, 2008

Here’s a SHOUT OUT to the new friends of nwRealty.com!

These Washington real estate brokers and agents accepted our invitation to link us from their websites.  In return we display their contact information whenever one of their real estate listings is viewed on www.nwRealty.Com.  Their support helps strengthen our site and increases the chance that a Buyer will find and contact them about their listings, giving them a better opportunity to represent their Sellers.  Plus, they have a better shot at a double-ended sales transaction.

I’ve busily exchanged email messages with these Washington real estate professionals all weekend and most of today.  As promised, I’m posting their website addresses here to lend some”Google Juice” and help boost the effectiveness of their sites with better “Google Page Rank” and better positions in Google’s search engine rankings.

WELCOME and MANY THANKS!

Washington real estate professionals with approved links to us …

The Pipeline of Brokers and Agents in the process of connecting …

  • Chad and Robyn Link
    “Your LINK To Success!”
    Windermere Olympia Realtors
    Chad’s Cell: 360-464-5601
    Robyn’s Cell: 360-486-4457
    Websites: links.mywindermere.com, MyOlympiaRealtor.com, LaceyRealtor.com, TumwaterRealtor.com
     
  • Kathy Cross
    RE/MAX Four Seasons
    Serving Olympia and Thurston County
    kathycross.net
    Office 360-528-8688
    Cell 360-951-1360
     
  • Seth Wallace
    Associate Broker
    Van Dorm Realty Inc.
    Homes and Real Estate Olympia Washington
    360 556 3326
    olympiahomebuyers.com
     
  • Laurie Lord
    CSP, REALTOR
    Owner/Broker
    Inspired By Real Estate - Tacoma
    InspiredByRealEstate.com
     
  • Laura Bird
    ReMax Valley Homes - Mount Vernon
    Phone: 360-424-7166
    laurabird.net

 

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Announcements, NW Agents, NW Brokerages, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Sharing the love in Bonney Lake

October 1, 2008

Many thanks to Maria Kevorkian for linking to www.nwrealty.com from her site at www.propertiesbymaria.com and her blog at www.CollectiblesbyMaria.com.  The links from Maria’s website will help us get more attention for potential buyers of her listings.  And when these buyers view her listings on our site, Maria’s contact information and weblink are displayed so that they can contact her directly.

Likewise the links to Maria’s site from this blog entry should help her standings in Google and Yahoo’s search results.  Maria works with Century 21 Swarthout Realty, a nwRealty Network Member for many years located in the city of Bonney Lake in Pierce County. 

Maria used the link examples at www.nwrealty.com/P24.cfm.  Her personal website is hosted by Z57, Inc. and her personal blog site is provided by Comcast.

Thanks again Maria!

 

 

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Announcements, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Questions about agent information on listing pages

September 25, 2008

We installed upgrades to www.nwrealty.com yesterday and notified our customers that their contact information, photos and logos can now appear with their listings on our site.  Additional information is available at our Reciprocal Link Policy page and Linking Examples page.  Here are some questions and answers about this new feature …

  1. Why doesn’t my agent information appear with my listings?
     
    For your contact information to appear you must either link to www.nwrealty.com from your website or advertise with us (starting at $39/month which includes a website and subscription to services on your office site).
     
  2. Why doesn’t my office information appear with my listings?
     
    A few offices are grandfathered into the nwRealty Network with a very low level of agent participation such that we can only justify promoting those that reciprocate in some manner.  If you would like your information to appear with your listings, please link to www.nwrealty.com from your website or consider using our advertising services for your personal promotion.
     
  3. Can we add additional phone numbers, email addresses and tag lines?
     
    For now we’re only displaying the company and agent names (as licensed) with their city, state, primary phone number, and weblink.  We’ll add more information during the next phase of development.  However to prevent harvesting by spammers we do not plan to openly publish email addresses.
     
  4. How do we know how many times our information is viewed by prospective clients?
     
    We record each time your information and listings are viewed and email reports to advertising agents each month.  These displays of your information will be included in those reports.  This upgrade is also the first step in reporting how many times an individual listing is viewed on our site.  We will include that information in reports as we continue development.

If you have any other questions please leave a comment on this blog, email larry@nwrealty.com or call 253-740-6092.  Thanks!

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Announcements, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Washington Real Estate Web Trends - BTS 08

September 19, 2008

Summer vacation is history and its Back To School for the kids.  As expected, traffic for our main real estate site at www.nwrealty.com decreased about 13% from July.  Here’s the surprise … Our competing sites seemed to hold steady and a couple even showed slight increases.

The larger sites that we monitor (publishing real estate from multiple states) also seemed to hold steady.  But windermere.com recaptured its position on top with a 7% increase while Redfin experienced a 7% drop in visitors.

The historical seasonal trend indicates Washington real estate traffic will drop slightly during the month of September.  But as hunting season draws nearer so does a spike in business for brokerages in the more remote areas of Washington due to the influx of sportsmen into theses market areas.

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Marketing, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Washington Real Estate Web Trends - Summer 08

August 5, 2008

We are extremely pleased with performance of nwRealty.Com during the month of July.  We maintained the historical trend of July being a very strong month while all competing sites experienced a decrease of visitors … some losing 30 - 40%.  A change from previous reports;  we replaced Machpersons.com with Southsoundhomes.com (operated by The Tacoma Tribune/McClatchy Company) after finding it to have a stronger web presence.

Because of our consistent results we’re still claiming nwRealty.Com as the “Most visited website that is focused exclusively on Washington real estate”.  The next graph represents regional real estate websites with a strong presence in Washington whose services cross borders into other states.  We’re still out performing the lower end of this scale … even without a multi-million dollar budget.

 

The obviously notable event dipicted here is Redfin’s new position as “King of the hill”.  While they experienced a 30% increase, Windermere (the dethroned king) lost about 11%.  The end of summer is now upon us so expect market activity to start declining.  The decline will continue until the holidays when activity all but stops.  Make sales while you can, but start planning now for next year.

Edgewood real estate

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Marketing, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Virtual Home Tours 070308

July 7, 2008

we received request to add four real estate virtual tours last week.  One in Island County and three in North Puget Sound region.

  1. Coupeville Rambler $324,900
    Like new one story home in the town of Coupeville. Built in 1999, 3 BR, 2 full BA, 2 car garage. Great Room floor plan w/vaulted ceiling. Large eat in kitchen, formal dining, formal living w/gas fireplace. Master suite w/soaking tub, separate shower, walk in closet … more
     
  2. Mount Vernon Split Level Home $549,900
    Great view, location & schools. 4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home on approx 1.1 acres. Remodeled kitchen adjoins dining area & living room w/beautiful cathedral ceilings & lots of windows for optimum lake views. Master w/sitting area, .75 bath & walk-in closet … more
     
  3. Burlington Vacant Land $225,000
    Great shy 1 acre lot on the corner of District Line Rd and Cook Rd. Beautiful Skagit Valley soil for growing your own garden & enjoying the awesome mountain views as you live in the agricultural community. Lot certification completed. Quick access to I-5 & the city of Burlington … more
     
  4. Burlington Vacant Land $215,000
    Great 1 acre lot on the corner of District Line Rd and Cook Rd. Beautiful Skagit Valley soil for growing your own garden & enjoying the awesome mountain views as you live in the agricultural community. Lot certification completed … more

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

NW Real Estate Magazine 138

June 30, 2008

The latest edition of the Northwest Real Estate Magazine is now on the stands.  This month the following properties are featured in out ad.  You can download a pdf version of our ad here.

  • $649,900 KENT 4 bdrm / 2.5 bath / 2190 sqft 2 Story. Call Charlie Peterson, ERA American Brokers, Inc. at 206-459-3242 about MLS # 28081926
     
  • $249,000 LAKEBAY Res - 1 Acre +. Call Bill Montgomery, Gig Harbor Realty, Inc. at 253-549-6151 about MLS # 28078321
     
  • $975,000 PACKWOOD 4 bdrm / 3.5 bath / 3508 sqft Multi Level. Call Bill Truitt, Four-U ealty/Packwood at 360-494-4848 about MLS # 27192450
     
  • $295,000 MAPLE VALLEY 3 bdrm / 2 bath / 1554 sqft 1 Story. Call Marlene Burns, ERA American Brokers, Inc. at 425-413-4929 about MLS # 27146884
     
  • $1,349,999 SAMMAMISH 6 bdrm / 3.5 bath / 3170 sqft 1 Story. Call Ron Cornwall, Cornwall Real Estate at 206-701-4165 about MLS # 28028691
     
  • $239,000 LYNNWOOD 2 bdrm / 1 bath / 910 sqft Condo 2 Level Unit. Call Shane Williamson, Cornwall Real Estate at 425-922-2600 about MLS # 28049650
     
  • $275,000 LAKEWOOD 1968 sqft Duplex. Call Bill Price, NW Properties Agency, Inc. at 253-380-3099 about MLS # 28073507
     
  • $355,000 OCEAN SHORES 4 bdrm / 2.5 bath / 3100 sqft 2 Story. Call Brannon Casler, Sound Investments Realty, Inc. at 206-947-3290 about MLS # 28028117
     
  • $380,000 GIG HARBOR 3 bdrm / 2.25 bath / 2036 sqft Split Entry. Call Jackie Olivier, Windermere R.E. Gig Harbor at 253-380-5205 about MLS # 28076959
     
  • $599,950 ENUMCLAW 3 bdrm / 1.75 bath / 2650 sqft Multi Level. Call Danny Hansen, Sound Investments Realty, Inc. at 253-630-7863 about MLS # 28089813
     
  • $240,000 BONNEY LAKE 3 bdrm / 2 bath / 1344 sqft Split Entry. Call Maria Kevorkian, CENTURY 21 Swarthout Realty at 253-223-9870 about MLS # 28091606
     
  • $389,000 GIG HARBOR/PENINSULA 3 bdrm / 1 bath / 1456 sqft 2 Stories w/Bsmnt. Call Brenda Bacon, Gig Harbor Realty, Inc. at 253-225-5089 about MLS # 27208031

 

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under Marketing, nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Virtual Home Tours 062808

June 30, 2008

Five real estate virtual tours were added this week … four in Skagit County and one on Whidbey Island.

  1. Mount Vernon WA Single Story Home - $620,000
    Wonderful 2.09 acre equestrian property. Views of Baker, hills & farmland. Steps away to Snow Goose produce. 2202 SF home W/3 bdrm 2.25 ba, den, super master w/luxurious bath. Big living/dining area,lg kitchen & lg deck … more
     
  2. Oak Harbor WA Single Story Home - $225,900
    Cute! Cute! Cute! Newly updated one story in town. Natuaral gas heat w/electronic air filter, hot water, range. NEW countertops, NEW SS wall oven & NEW SS dishwasher. Kitchen also includes pantry & refrigerator … more
     
  3. Burlington WA Two Story Home - $565,000
    Bayview. New construction. Craftsman 2364 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths on 3/4 acre. Attached garage. Views from large deck in Bayview … more
     
  4. Mount Vernon WA Two Story Home - $213,000
    Skagit Valley Priced to sell!! Well maintained newer home with easy care vinyl siding, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths and approx 1200 sq ft. Kitchen has nice size pantry and eating area adjoining living room. View of Mt. Baker from deck in fenced backyard … more
     
  5. Sedro Woolley WA Single Story Home - $263,500
    3 bedroom,2 bath, 2086 sq ft rambler. Full bath w/jetted tub off master bedroom. Sunken living room & separate dining room. Close to schools & town. Fenced backyard w/fruit trees. All appliances included … more

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

Skagit Virtual Tours 062108

June 23, 2008

Three virtual tours were submitted this week, all for Skagit County real estate listings …

1.  Anacortes WA 2 Story $980,000

Listing Agent Comments: Own a piece of the rock! Your own double lot on the channel, your own tidelands accessible from your own boathouse! How good can it get? Beautiful lot w/rockery & pathways abound … more

2.  Mount Vernon WA Tri-Level $275,000

Immaculate tri-level home w/3 bedroom, 2.25 baths, 1622 sq ft on dead end cul-de-sac in quiet, desirable MV neighborhood. Updated throughout - Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, tile floors, new carpet, gas FP w/mantel in living room … more

3.  Mount Vernon WA 2 Story $329,000

Beautifully cared for 2-story home in desirable Blackburn Ridge development. This 3 BD, 2.5 BA home w/1714 sf also has a den/office on main flr, just off the main entrance, perfect for an in-home office. Din rm has sliders to the oversized deck, taking advantage of the totally  … more

Posted by Larry Wright | Filed Under nwRealty Network | Leave a Comment 

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