E-mail may increase real estate sales: Constant Contact survey

Nearly 60% ofáreal estate agents areáusing e-mail marketing to increase sales, and that may be the key for agents looking to sell in this soft housing market, according to a recent survey by e-mail marketing services firm Constant Contact Inc.

Almost half of real estate agents surveyed said that finding new buyers and selling property among their top challenges. Many of these real estate agents are using e-mail to communicate about property listings and open houses.

More than 35% of respondents said that they have rented or sold a property as a result of an e-mail marketing campaign.

Among marketing methods, e-mail marketing ranked highest in cost effectiveness and speed of delivery, according to respondents of the survey.

In addition, 40% of the agents surveyed do their own marketing to communicate with clients and generate business, 24% of the respondents said that e-mail marketing is faster than other channels and 26% said that e-mail is less expensive than other marketing methods, including direct mail and print advertisements.