Title Tip: Say Cheese! You Bought a House!
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It’s closing day. Say cheese! All those photos of smiling faces on closing day offer proof that most folks are delighted to be closing on a home. Either they’re getting the keys to their new property or they’re getting a check for the sale.
Before the popularity of social media, most people mailed out moving announcements to let friends know they’d bought a home. Today, social media now plays a dominate role in announcing a move.
In this age of selfies and sharing, many homebuyers, sellers, and agents like to announce this kind of cheerful news with a closing photo. Just check out the social media posts on popular sites to find friends and families celebrating big events in their lives. Buying or selling a home is one of those big events.
“It’s a major milestone in your life,” says Kimberly Rote of Allie Beth Allman & Associates. She rates buying a home up there with getting married or having a baby.
Kathy Donovan, Kayla Watts, Anne Tuttle, and Kaki Roach with Title Partners
“Sometimes it’s a big secret until we get signatures and they get the home,” she adds. “After closing it is such a win. They walk out of the closing and can’t wait to share it with everybody. The euphoria is contagious and it’s really from the heart.”
Spreading the joy through social media comes naturally for people who participate on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. Check out the clever photo props in your local title company to witness the popularity of a closing day photo. Whether it’s a giant key, sold sign, or proclaiming “We love our Realtor,” photo props are appealing to many. A photo from closing day is often a bonus for the agent as well.
Paul Sanders (left) of Ebby Halliday with his happy clients
Many savvy Realtors are enthusiastic about sharing closing photos and celebrating their happy clients. Realtors are often looking for original content for their social media posts. Images and photos boost hits and ratings. Most experts will confirm that they more than double the engagement rate for social media posts. Just ensure you get permission to share from the clients. Some want to remain private and others are more sociable.
Photos and comments from grateful clients are also an excellent endorsement of the agent. They can help the Realtor connect with people in an authentic way. A cheerful family with a Sold sign is much better indication of a successful agent than a tired “For Sale” sign in a yard.
Realtor Judy Steinberg with clients at closing.
Social media engagement ratings aside, closing photos are a fun way to capture the memory of a life event. “Watching my clients in that exciting moment makes all the hard work and late hours worth it,” Rote adds. “It’s such a happy time.”
You don’t need to be tech-savvy or an ace photographer to spread the word. Say cheese, snap a photo, and tell the world your big news!
Lydia Blair (formerly Lydia Player) was a successful Realtor for 10 years before jumping to the title side of the business in 2015. Prior to selling real estate, she bought, remodeled and sold homes (before house flipping was an expression). She’s been through the real estate closing process countless times as either a buyer, a seller, a Realtor, and an Escrow Officer. As an Escrow Officer for Allegiance Title at Preston Center, she likes solving problems and cutting through red tape. The most fun part of her job is handing people keys or a check.
