Realtors Friend Facebook for Boost in Rough Market

Facebook has been reviving more than long-lost friendships—it’s proving a useful tool for struggling real-estate agents, Daniel McGinn writes for Newsweek. Agents are increasingly using the site to promote themselves, pitch listings and keep track of potential clients. “I’m trying everything in a market like this, because something is going to work. And so far Facebook has been unbelievable,” says one.

“Realtors are probably the most natural networkers around,” observes a consultant whose real-estate Facebook group now counts 12,700 members. And updating one’s status to tout a new listing can make agents seem less pushy: “In this world we are so very busy, and networking online, people can get in touch with me any time of day, so I'm not bothering anyone,” she adds. (More Facebook stories.)