How to Become a Real Estate Aggregator
Real estate aggregators perform a useful function by pulling listings from numerous real estate agents and putting them all on one website, as well as uploading new listings to search engines. When a potential home buyer expresses interest in a property, she is then provided with the contact information of the real estate agent overseeing the sale. As a real estate aggregator, your business is almost entirely online. Thus, becoming a real estate aggregator requires at least a foundational knowledge of Internet technologies, as well as a solid business plan.
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Instructions
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Create a business plan that details the geographic area you will serve and the types of listings you will accept, such as home sales only, single-family rentals, apartment rentals or a combination of rental and sale properties. In addition, determine how you will make money and your accounting methods. You may wish to charge real estate agents or landlords a fee for listing properties; sell subscriptions to home buyers or renters for access to the listings or agent contact information; or collect payments from placing advertisements on your website. Also, decide if you will conduct your business from home or an office, and determine what kind of computer equipment you will need and how you will obtain it.
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Research available domain names as you select a business name. File a fictitious business name statement and obtain a business license according to the laws of your city, county and/or state. Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS either online or by submitting Form SS-4. Even as a sole proprietor, this can protect your identity and your business.
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Develop a website that can display photos of the homes with detailed information. This allows users to search by location, type of home and size of home, and offers an easy way for you to input new information. You may want to include a forum to get feedback on your website, the listings or certain agents as a means of offering more to your partners and customers.
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Contact real estate agents and brokers, property management companies and similar professional entities to offer your services as a real estate aggregator. Have a sales pitch ready, but be willing to deviate from it to answer questions or address the individual's specific needs. Additionally, partner with other real estate listing websites to put their listings on your site and vice versa to make your service more valuable by exposure to more customers. If you intend to make revenue from advertisements, negotiate these contracts at this time as well.
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Launch your website and begin uploading listings. Choose a particular time each day to review and input new listings, delete old listings and do general maintenance of the website. Devote the rest of your time to finding new clients, advertising and using social networking tools to promote your real estate aggregator service.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have the computer experience necessary to develop a complex website, hire a freelance programmer or a web development company to create the website. Be sure to get a full tutorial on how to manage the website, input information and upload pictures. Ensure that whatever programmer or company you choose has a good customer support policy or resources.
