The InfoTube has practically become a front yard requirement for selling a home. The tube containing a sell sheet detailing the amenities of the home, along with the data on the house is designed to drive more interest, thereby increasing inquiries and ultimately finding a buyer.

However, the inherent problem with these sheets is that information is one-way, thereby making the lead generation process much like trying to fish with dynamite. Sellers or Realtors place these sheets in the InfoTube with the only quality measurement being an empty container in a few days. (Much like buying/selling leads without using lead management, but that’s another post…)

The missing piece is any capability to have a bi-directional discussion with those who have expressed cursory interest. If given the chance, could the Realtor steer them to another property more suited to their tastes? Could the broker help them get pre-approved even if they “really aren’t in the market?” No one knows because, barring taking fingerprint samples from the InfoTube, there is no way to identify these potential clients once they grab and go.

Until now.

I had a conversation with Chad Wyatt who has just created a new SMS tool called, appropriately enough, SMSMortCalc.com. A very powerful lead generation tool which allows you to…in fact why don’t you just try it:

Text: Get Pmt (don’t forget the space) to 839863

Instantly you are telling your prospective home buyer what he could expect to pay for their dream home. What a great marketing collaboration for a real estate agent and a mortgage broker.

Maybe more importantly are the other things that occur during this process:

1) the phone number of the potential client is sent to the agent or broker or both if they are combining their efforts.
2) additional information can be sent to the buyer–agent contact information, possibly a URL of the property’s MLS, or even the agent’s home page.

This “drive by” advertising opens the door to allow agents and brokers to engage with heretofore unreachable potential clients and to build a relationship begun through texting. Chad is giving demo’s of the product here.

Check it out and I would be interested to hear stories of any Realtors and brokers who partner with something like this and how it helps your business.