Marketing is where the rubber meets the road. A listing without marketing is just a secret. This is Part 5 — the finale of our series on choosing the right listing agent.

The Range of Marketing Approaches:

• Minimum: Website + one or two listing portals. That's it.
• Maximum: Professional photography, video tours, drone footage, multiple international listing sites, social media campaigns, email marketing, networking, print advertising, targeted digital ads
• Both agents might charge the same commission — but one is actually working to sell your property

Key Marketing Channels:

• International listing portals: Realtor.com International, RealtyHive, Viviun, LuxuryEstate
• Agent's website: Professional, SEO-optimized
• Social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube — active expat groups with thousands of members
• Email marketing: Good agents have databases built over years (David's is 16 years in the making)
• Agent networking: Reaching out directly to other agents
• Video and virtual tours: Essential for international buyers

Questions to Ask:

• "Which websites will my property appear on?" (Get specific names)
• "Can you show me examples of how you've marketed similar properties?"
• "Do you have an email list? How many people?"
• "Do you do any paid advertising?"
• "Can I get a written marketing plan?"

Photography Matters: Studies show you have only 3 seconds to capture attention. Phone photos vs. professional photography — you can tell immediately.

Marketing Red Flags:

• Poor quality photos on current listings
• No video content
• Inactive social media
• Can't name specific websites
• No email database
• "We'll see what works" instead of a clear strategy

Myth of the Week: "The property will sell itself if it's priced right."

Reality: Buyers have to FIND your property first. Marketing creates the opportunity; price closes the deal.

Deal of the Week: 2-bedroom beachfront condo in San Pedro — $389,000 USD. Was listed 6 months with minimal marketing: zero offers. New agent took over with professional photography, drone video, 8 international portals, Facebook Ads, email blast to 30,000-person database. Result: 47 inquiries in the first month, offer received. Same property, same price, different marketing, different result.

Series Recap — 5 Things to Look for in a Listing Agent:

1. Are they actually there? Not always traveling, not a part-timer
2. Do they have local presence? Living and working in your area
3. Do they work well with others? Good relationships, fair commission splits
4. Do they have support? Team or systems to ensure nothing falls through the cracks
5. Where do they market? Professional photography, multiple channels, real strategy

Get all five, and you've got an agent who can actually sell your property.

Questions? Email David at david@thedavidkafka.com]]>