The Realtor's Guide to Becoming the Neighborhood Expert on NextDoor
Sara Hayes started using Nextdoor in 2013 as a way to connect with fellow residents of her Terracina townhouse community.
Why Realtors Should Set Up a Community Facebook Page (And How to Do It)
The private social network lets users share info about community events, seek referrals for service providers, communicate safety concerns and post items for sale.
“It’s an added layer of my marketing that helps me stay in front of people,” says Hayes, broker-owner of The Key Realty Group in Sanford.
Here’s how she uses Nextdoor to become her neighborhood expert:
1. Use a personal and business profile
Hayes has two Nextdoor profiles. Her personal profile is strictly for engaging with other residents about community-related topics. “You do have to pay to play on the business side, but it lets you post your listing info.” Business profiles are Neighborhood Sponsorships that let you create automated ad placements via Nextdoor Business and post messages, videos, open houses and events in targeted ZIP Codes.
2. Lock in your ZIP code
Each ZIP Code allows only four real estate agent Neighborhood Sponsorships. Hayes currently farms the community of Lake Forest, where she is a resident.
“I am in the 32773 ZIP Code that is mostly golf courses and gated communities,” she says. “I logged on recently and learned that I’m the neighborhood favorite for [four] communities. It’s more competitive now.”
3. Make the most of your posts
As a business owner, she is allotted four posts each month, per ZIP Code. “You can do a shared update, which is just a post like you’d see on Facebook or LinkedIn, or share a local event. “I just paid extra for a Matterport 3D scanned interactive virtual tour that I hope to make available 24/7.”
4. Grow your reputation
Hayes has received 53 recommendations on Nextdoor. “I’ve been viewed in 537 neighborhoods by 89,245 people, which is incredible. One time I was doing a listing presentation in Terracina when the seller said, ‘We already know you through Nextdoor.’ I’m not sure I’ve ever had an online presence like this. Plus, it’s a lot more affordable than other sites, like Zillow. My current ZIP Code only costs me about $40 per month.”
5. Invite neighbors to join
Nextdoor gives users the ability to send postcards to their neighbors inviting them to join. “The postcards are mailed free and say, ‘From your neighbor Sara Hayes in Lake Forest.’ So far, I’ve had 306 invitations accepted. It’s another way to get my name out without directly promoting my real estate business.”