In early 2010, when most real estate firms were struggling to stay afloat, Mike Kelly and his wife Kathleen decided to venture out and start their own real estate business. At the time, they were working with a large business, and they had implemented a social media strategy that was seeing great results. They realized that most of their leads were coming from work that they were doing themselves, and they decided it was a great time to step out on their own.
The Hickory Real Estate Group has a large internet presence. Google loves them, and you can’t find a social media site that they aren’t a part of. As more and more people use the internet to search for homes (90% of consumers go online first when considering buying or selling a home), this has been a very valuable asset, and has helped them rise above a weak economy. You can find them easily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Trulia.
The internet is a huge part of Hickory Real Estate Group’s comprehensive marketing plan, which is the most in depth in the area. Listing your home with HREG has the following advantages:
- Your listing will be on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Craigslist, Trulia, Yahoo, Vast, Google, Zillo, Realtor.com, Oodle, Homes and Land and many more websites.
- Your home will be listed with Catawba Valley MLS, which enables over 700 Realtors to help sell your home.
- Your home will be listed on their top rated, Google friendly site.
- Your home will be listed on Realtor.com, with multiple pictures and a virtual tour.
- Your home will have a full color ad in the magazine Homes and Land, and their site will feature a virtual tour.
- Your home will have a custom domain name.
- Your home will have a custom sign rider, with the domain name, which enables buyers to view pictures and information from their mobile phones or computers.
Another thing that has allowed the Hickory Real Estate Group to thrive is their relationship with banks. They have worked hard to build relationships with banks that allow them to disperse the bank’s foreclosures. They have been able to sell many homes that have been foreclosed, and they have helped the banks to recoup their lost money.
When Mike and Kathleen started out in early 2010, they were a husband/wife team operating out of their home. As their site because more popular, and their business began to pick up, they found they needed to hire a buyer agent to work with them. This meant they needed more space, and a professional environment to meet clients. They found that in the Hickory Granary, which is a unique building in Hickory where multiple businesses share the cost of office equipment. This was a great fit for them, and in the months since they have been in the Granary, they have seen their staff increase, with two additional agents joining them.
Mike Kelly has the following certifications/designations:
- Graduate Realtor Institute
- The Certified Residential Specialist
- EcoBroker
- The National Association of Realtors Green Designation
They are looking forward to the next stage of growth in this area. Mike and Kathleen really like our region, and have found that people are anxious to live here. This is because of our ideal climate, and central location. As transplants to the area, they understand the draw of the region, and enjoy selling property to new residents.
