Don't let "Putting It Onto the MLS" be the only answer you get to this question. One of the advantageous benefits of using a SMARTePLAN to market your listing is that it goes beyond simply putting it onto MLS -- waaay beyond.

True, it conveniently uploads onto MLS and becomes part of your online property's record, which is handy  -- but it also is a distinct and separate product that has ADDITIONAL marketing venues past what other agents offer. This allows Realtors who use SMARTePLANS to significantly broaden the "reach" of their marketing plan -- well beyond a simple MLS posting.

How does it work? Well, first I create the custom floor plan and embed the photos into it and link it all up and upload it onto MLS. I test it from both the realtor's side of TEMPO and also the consumer side of HAR.com to be sure everything is working the way I expect.  This pretty  much creates on online pictorial brochure available 24/7 for the life of the listing.

The next step is that I index the features that I know appeal to buyers to Google. Not being constrained to any format, I can talk about the highlights I found particularly appealing, in a natural and conversational manner.  The features are being indexed  so it will be picked up by Google's search engines. Why is this important?

Because increasingly people search online for properties using search string phrases -- now even Houston's MLS has this Google-esque search ability.

-and-

WE WANT THEM TO FIND YOUR PROPERTY FIRST!

So, let's look at some results ....

In less than 24 hours, the indexing for this property was accepted by  Google and six .. count 'em SIX (typical) separate search string phrases landed us on Page 1 of Google. 

So this marketing method was productive and successful and my Realtor client is pretty darn HAPPY  ... because....

1. this makes him look like a HERO to his client...

2. Google results are TANGIBLE and REPEATABLE ... the Realtor or Seller can plug in the search string phrases himself and SEE the results .. this is different than a Realtor just telling the Seller ...  "I'm going to do a good job for you."  Waaay different.

3. this Seller (who was a real  techie) is happy, happy, happy and is telling all his friends he's got the BEST REALTOR ON THE PLANET! --

Below is the email I was happy to send to my Realtor the next morning:

 Hi Tom,
After < 24 hours of the blog posting, it has been indexed by Google and
for the following search strings typed into google .... the result is
2352 Camden showing up on page 1 of Google for multiple (typical) search
string phrases.

As more time goes by and more (complete) indexing of the entire contents of
the blog takes place, we can say with confidence that add'l phrases will be
indexed and return additional results. ... although showing up on page 1 of
Google for 6 relevant search string phrases within 24 hrs ain't too shabby!

Below are the search strings that landed us on page 1 of Google and the
total number of google results indexed for that particular phrasing:

townhouse inside the loop houston - 25,200

two bedroom townhouse houston - 292,000

two bedroom townhouse medical center houston - 8,240

two bedroom townhouse rice university houston - 6,600

two bedroom townhouse downtown houston - 133,000

two bedroom townhouse museum houston - 6,370

Best Regards,
Judith
SMARTePLANS
281 419 4025
www.smarteplans.com

I keep fine-tuning the process and now I aim for 10 search string phrases with at least 3 landing in the #1 or #2 position. So, as you can see --- this is a unique and effective response to the question, " What Online Tools Are Available (To Realtors) To Market My Home?"

Judith, The Floor Plan Lady

www.smarteplans.com

========================

SMARTePLANS have photos embedded inside the floor plan that launch with a mouse click .... each photo arrow is positioned in the plan where the photographer was standing --- so you can see where he was and what he was aiming at when he took the shot ... in relationship to the drawing. Beneath the photo is a description of that room. Once the photo launches you have a choice to link back to the floor plan and choose another photo, or read the amenities text for the WHOLE property (not just that particular room). All the files are inter-linked so you can seamlessly click around this property, viewing the photos and reading the descriptions. This is not a video ... you choose what you want to view ... or not.

[NOTE: SMARTePLANS are PDF files so they magnify to over 100%. When the file launches, click "View" on the top toolbar and make sure there is a checkmark next to the toolbar named "Select and Zoom". Every time you tap the plus key inside the circle the view screen enlarges (the minus key shrinks the magnification); and the magnifying glass with the plus sign in it marquee selects a specfic area of the drawings to be enlarged. Using the hand key and the scroll bars, its easy to move around inside the file, and then magnifying the features you want to see.]

© SMARTePLANS 2011          U.S. Patent 7,733,351 B1 
The compilation above is the original creative work and copyrighted property of SMARTePLANS. You may link to it; but it may not be copied, nor reproduced in any form or format in whole or in part without the express written permission of Judith Sinnard.