Real Estate Bloggers: Gen Y Agents in a Gen X Body
The Seattle Post Inquirer has a story out today saying the real estate industry is looking for Gen Y agents. Since real estate attracts a second career demographic for the most part, I think I have the answer.
Instead of fretting that there are not enough 20 somethings running around the real estate office, find those real estate agents that are blogging.
They are the true Gen Y people in the office, they just are clothed in a Gen X body. So they listen to bad 80’s music and are missing the occasional follicle. The bloggers are still using the same communication tools the Gen Y folks are and may even Twitter.
So instead of looking for a demographic that has never been in the real estate offices, the Gen Y or Twenty-somethings, just send out an email and find the bloggers in your office. Those will be your conduits to the younger generation even if their bodies show a little more wear.
And do not worry about there not being enough real estate agents in the future when we are suffering a glut of agents in the present.
It’s a problem that many young people don’t seriously consider real estate careers, according to a recent national study. The study, which Deloitte Research released in the fall, says the industry needs to do a better job attracting Generation Y workers or face huge shortages in coming years.
“The retirement of baby boomers will have dire long-term effects on the real estate industry’s work force,” it says.
Local brokers say they’re reaching out to younger recruits already, but it’s hard to accept that there might be too few real estate professionals soon, given the huge numbers drawn by a market that only recently slowed. via Seattle Post Inquirer.
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Comment by West End Estate Agents on 14 February 2008:
This is a good site very inspirational
Comment by DaytonOhioRealEstate on 16 February 2008:
Thanks for the insight into Gen X agents.
Comment by Fran Park on 19 February 2008:
Blogging isn’t restricted to Gen X and Gen Y agents. There is a movement among some Boomers to get on the blogging horse. Depending on one’s reason for blogging, a Boomer can bring something to the genre that X’s & Y’s cannot; experience. Life experience, that is.
As you say, real estate is a second career for a lot of folks, myself included. I think that most people considering a real estate transaction welcome someone with experience, even if they themselves are Gen Y age. But, if you want to be able to reach those people, you have got to try and learn their language, how they think, where they shop, and how they communicate.
Today, whether you are a Boomer or a Gen Y agent, you better be blogging.
Comment by Tom on 19 February 2008:
Fran
I agree that Boomers are also participating. It is an attitude more than an age generalizations. I am a tweener between Boomer and Gen X and I have to admit that trying to keep up with all of the social media can be exhausting at times.
The key is always to find out how your clients wish to communicate and work with them in a manner that makes them feel comfortable.
Comment by Deon Swiggs on 5 September 2008:
I agree with what your saying here. But i also feel that you will never get a gen x being a gen y. the only way to get a gen y is to get a gen y. a gen x savy person may know how to do the things a gen y person does but the mindset is still gen x.
There is great advantages of having that mix of younger people in the midst. Technology is easy to deal with. its a process. you dont need to know how it works just accept it does.
I am 22 and been doing real estate 2 years and have a huge following from my internet presence. you need to be on the net where people are searching.
but good post got me thinking
Comment by Michelle on 30 October 2009:
It will be interesting to see how real estate is bought and sold in a couple of years. While I completely get the need to communicate with Gen X/Y in their language, I am wondering if we don’t hold onto some of the personal touches (i.e. handwritten notes, face to face meetings etc.) that we may lose control of our industry. Soon there won’t be a need for realtors….people will be able to buy homes on the net. We need to find a balance between social immediacy and keeping things real….if we put everything onto social media and the net, what will realtors be needed for?