My New RE Business Website

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My New RE Business Website

Walter Hammond
Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2012 · 26 posts · 7 votes

I am going to be creating a new website for my company "The Khroan Group" (TKG). Before I start writing a lick of code (I'm an IT professional, so not hard for me), I wanted to come up with the goals of my website and eventually create a mock-up or drawing of how I'd like the layout.

Can you guys review my goals and let me know if they make since to you? My niche market will be buy and holds of 4-family buildings, eventually leading to larger buildings as revenues increase. The goals are listed below:

1. To give TKG a digital/web identify

2. To present the company as a true professional RE company.

3. To attract private money investors and explain what TKG's mission, style, and show why they should invest in my real estate deals.

4. To attract and build a buyers list of local REI professionals. Gather their property parameters, neighborhoods, and contact information in order to alert them if I come across deals that match their needs.

5. To list all current available units/properties for rent or sale that TKG currently has available.
To provide a way for customers to contact me

Does it look like I'm on the right track so far? Any other goals that I'm missing that I should want my website to show to perspective customers or finance investors?

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Will BarnardPro Member
Moderator
Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
13y

I think people place too much stock in the need for websites for every aspect of this biz. I disagree. A lot of this biz is a relationship based biz and websites are very impersonal. Particularly with attracting private lenders, you need to put your physical self out there and meet people.

Podcast Guest on Show #130
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  • Brandon TurnerPro Member
    Investor · Maui, HI · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    13y

    Hey Walter Hammond. Personally, I'd separate 5 out completely. Since you are a tech guy, it wouldn't take much extra work to throw together a quick Wordpress site to advertise your rentals.

    Simple reason why: You don't want your renters seeing the information you are telling prospective investors.

    That's my opinion anyways! The rest seems great.

    Thoughts?

    Podcast Guest on Show #92
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  • Walter Hammond
    OP
    Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2012 · 26 posts · 7 votes
    13y

    Brandon, THAT MAKES PERFECT SINCE!! I can't believe that such a simple (but great) concept escaped me. I guess, I was so worried about not getting EVERYTHING done and needing big change later. But yes, I'll definitely do the rent, lookup/search as a separate site.

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  • Gary Parker
    Real Estate Professional · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2010 · 609 posts · 163 votes
    13y

    Walter Hammond I am very new to web sites, but from all of my reading about them on BP I agree with Brandon Turner to separate them all out. I have a "I Buy Houses" web site, but have learned it is good to focus in more specific to my marketing. For example if I am marketing to absentee owners, on my direct mail piece I would ask them to visit TiredLandlord.com rather than "IBuyHouses.com" which would redirect to a page on my main web site.

    I dont own any of the sites listed in my post.

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  • Sharon Vornholt
    Goshen, KY · Member since 2009 · 835 posts · 683 votes
    13y

    Walter Hammond-

    If you don't do anything else, you need to definitely have different websites for buying properties and selling properties. That is the thing that really needs to be separate.

    Think about this; you have finally reached an agreement with your seller for the purchase of a much reduced price on their property. In the end you decide to wholesale it to another investor and make money.

    You would never want this seller coming across your properties for sale website. I personally have my company name on my selling website, and a completely different name for my blog that teaches others to invest in real estate. I don't want the two groups to cross paths.

    You really also need different sites for attracting cash buyers, private money etc; all the arms of your business that are not involved with your house buying site. What I would do and what most people are starting to do, is to buy your name as a domain. In my case that would be sharonvornholt.com. (I have the domain but it's not set up)

    Once you have all of your individual sites set up do that they can be found independently, then set up your name site so that if people remember you personally they can click on tabs that will take them to your other sites. One of my cash buyers also is a private lender.

    Brand your company, but also brand yourself. In the end, people want to do business "with people" not companies so much.

    Sharon

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  • Ned CareyPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    13y

    Why? That as a goal, in and of itself, is totally unimportant in my view. A site should have a specific reason and that is not a very good one.

    This kind of follows number one. It sounds like you want to have a web site becuase "Well Gee, you should have a website"
    Who do you want to view you as professional?
    Do they already know you or are they going to learn about you from the web? Exactly what image do you want to portray?
    How are you going to do that? Will it be a constantly changing content site or a stagnant site?

    You better get legal help here. While there is some dispute over SEC regulations (lots of threads here about the subject) one thing is clear you cannot publicly solicit money.


    A great goal and easy to do.
    5. To list all current available units/properties for rent or sale that TKG currently has available.
    To provide a way for customers to contact me

    Units for sale can go on the same site as the site looking for buyers. However as others have said, Offers to tenants or looking for sellers should be separate sites.

    Good luck - Ned

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  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    13y

    I think people place too much stock in the need for websites for every aspect of this biz. I disagree. A lot of this biz is a relationship based biz and websites are very impersonal. Particularly with attracting private lenders, you need to put your physical self out there and meet people.

    Podcast Guest on Show #130
    1Reply
  • Walter Hammond
    OP
    Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2012 · 26 posts · 7 votes
    13y

    Thank you guys for all the comments. You have helped me to re-think the idea. As a techie, I just kind of have this expectation that if your a "real" and respectable business, that your company will have an online presence.

    I'm now thinking I simply need a corporate image, such as Logo for business cards and letter-head. I think that will do the trick for ensuring I seem professional and can give my contact info to investors,buyers, or sellers.

    The only web presence I need in the eventual future will be for properties I have for sale and/or rent (can be combined or separate). Thanks for all the ideas and the feedback!! I really appreciate it!

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  • Dev HornPro Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Arlington, TX · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    13y

    I agree with Will Barnard in principle (as I'm pretty sure he is smarter than I), but will disagree a bit in practice. There are many people now that are way more comfortable dealing with computers (filling out a form) and waiting for a call than they are will making the call themselves. Some people want to look at your website to see if you look legit before they call you. And they will Google the name of your company, your name, etc. The website is AN OPTION for the seller, and it's an important one to have. So, you always want your phone # and your website address on your marketing.

    That said, I think you should focus more on SERVICE than BRANDING. Trust me, you don't have the $$$$ it takes to build a true brand. Focus on what you can do to solve people's problems (while making a profit). And focus more on getting deals than building a fancy site to recruit buyers. Money guys and investors are not going to come sign up to get on your "list" until you've built a reputation for bringing (at least some of) them good deals. Go get DEALS (sellers), then start building your buyers list by networking and bringing good opportunities to the table.

    As technical people sometimes we put too much emphasis on building some cool system when, as Will said, this is really more about relationships. Put 80% of your time into that, and 20% into your tech/web stuff.

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  • Karen MargraveBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Realtor, General Contractor, and Developer · Redding, CA · Member since 2009 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    13y

    I agree with Dev Horn, in this day and age, everyone goes to the computer first to find information. Like a real estate office, if you have properties to sell, you need to have them on the web. You can also have a link on that site for Property Wanted, etc. However; finding sellers will take beating the bushes, very rarely are you going to find sellers through a website (though I don't work that market so it's just an assumption)

    Will Barnard is correct too. People with money aren't going to sign up on your list without knowing who YOU are. Most guard their identities and don't want their names being sold to who knows who, and rightfully so. Money is an area that takes personal relationships, that will introduce you to others, etc.

    For our business I have a website that give info on our company, Parlay Investments. Under that I have a link to our construction company, a visual resume, etc. It's just a place where I can send people if we are talking to them on a project, etc., they can get a feel for us, and it's easy for them to access some info. The site also has links for remodeling etc. if I want to activate that, but most of the time those aren't in play as we aren't actively working that market.

    On the other hand, we are developing a MOB (medical office building) and I have a website specifically devoted to that. It enables me to do mail outs, list it on the property sign and ads, and send potential buyers there for info, etc. It works pretty good. In fact next week we are meeting with potential buyers for the building, and have had interest in condos - and it's still in the planning stages!

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  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    13y

    Dev, I'm on the same page with you. My point was better clarified with Karens comment in that to avoid SEC violations and attract true private lenders, u must first form a relationship with them and my opinion is that direct contact is essential.

    Podcast Guest on Show #130
    1Reply
  • Victor Belman
    Ontario, CA · Member since 2013 · 48 posts · 2 votes
    13y

    All businesses are going online – and a recent survey revealed that Internet sales have increased by many more times than the past years. Boost your reputation and credibility with your online presence.When you have a website where you write quality and informative articles, potential customers will see you as an expert on the topic. Easily you can create your brand value.

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