Each Generation Is Unique

Relating to the different Generations in Real Estate

Like how they react differently to and change what earlier generations have done over the years. With keeping this perspective in mind, it is valuable to not only appreciate where our own Generation, and those Generations before us, has come from, but also what to expect and how to work with the Generations to come.

Each Generation approaches challenges in their own unique way and as a result, solutions are acquired in a different way. That is not to say that one solution is better than any another, it is just to grasp the idea that if a Generation after you were born, ie., Generation Y or Z, (your in the years to come clients) has a problem, for example, finding the house that is right for them, do you know how are you going to help them?  Will you decipher their problem in the way they would ultimately expect you to or in the way your Generations knows how to?

Each Generation is likely to favor a different system of communication. For the Silent Generation it may have been a letter that was hand written or a phone call. For Boomers, it may be pagers or cell phones. For Generation X it might very well be email or Social Media, and for Generation Y it may be to send text messages. Each Generation recognizes and identifies with the means of communication they are most familiar with. So consequently, being able to reach out to each separate Generation will require a different means of  communication thru what their specific Generation was born into.

Lets look at an example -

Generation Y couple is considering a purchase for a new home. Being they have had access to the   Internet during their Generations life time, they will most likely decide to research prior to connecting with an agent via the internet. After considering possible neighborhood choices, the couple elects to do additional research by watching YouTube videos and/or online Virtual Tours of homes that are for sale. Upon finding a few properties they like, and doing some research about the real estate company and/or the Agent/Broker that has that property listing they send a text message to those Agents /Brokers that have established good online ratings and reviews with an inquiry and contact details.

Lets say the first Agent/Broker is a Boomer who prefers the telephone for communication, receives the text, but treats it like a phone call. The agent calls the couple hours later and ends up getting the Prospective Buyers voicemail, so he/she leaves a voice message.

The second agent, a Genration X’er and keener than the first agent, chooses to send an email. The agent sees the text message and sends the couple an email together with several attachments providing more information about the property and the area the property is located within a few short minutes.

The third agent, who is in the Y Generation who understands the imminence of texting, sends a reply within a few seconds with a short ambiguous message indicating that they are presently with a client, and leads the  couple to their website with interactive web page leading them to the information they need.

Does this give you a better understanding?  What kind of  “digital body language” do you use? Does your company accommodate to each Generation in their preferred method of communication? 

If not...you have some serious work to do!

Or better yet...we can accommodate you to set you up for success in this vital area.  Being a successful Agent/Broker you need to understand that its not only about “Location, Location, Location” it is also about “Communication, Communication, Communication”, who communicates first and in a way each separate Generation is going to expect from you.  Loosing a sale could be as simple as that...because you didn't communicate in a way that Potential Buyer is comfortable with. 

It Just Makes Sense!