Do you ever think about selling your real estate site?
Zillow’s closing stock price went ‘down’ to $33.20, almost $14 to what they wanted. They got a cool $70 million for it, $20 million more than what they were hoping. Not bad for a real estate related IPO.
By now, everyone is chimed in with how excited Wall St. is with internet stocks, specifically those that are leading the ‘social’ bandwagon; starting with Google’s failed $6 billion offer to Groupon, LinkedIn’s warm reception and Facebooks’s massive valuation — are you kidding me, $100 billion?!
No, I’m not here to debate about another Tech Bubble, though it’s worth mentioning Frank Quattrone recently baptized LinkedIn as “..the Netscape of its era.” to which he made clear, the 1995, pre-bubble Netscape.
But this got me thinking, what can I do to give me the best chance to sell my real estate site? Here are the factors that I think will help (and that I’ll be likely working on):
- Do you own your real estate niche online? Be it as big as Washington, DC or as quaint as Napa, or even in the hot-then-frigid-cold Reno real estate. Can you show potential buyers if indeed, you are dominating? Start tracking results and leads. (Note to self.)
- Who are your potential buyers? I’d love for my parent broker company to buy me off someday. I like my mother and believe in their vision. But…
- Will they? Why will they spend five to six figures to buy you out? What’s in it for them? I’m actually hitting this in my stubborn head in my next round of improvement for my sites.
In general, I’m thinking of ways that would make my site simply unattainable for potential buyers. Meaning, when they look at my site, I want them to say things like:
“Man, that Joe guy did something real special here,”
“Whow, Joe gets a solid $50,000 yearly revenue off the site, “
“It’ll cost too much to build something like Joe’s and I don’t even know where to start,”
“Even if we spend the same amount of money and hire talent, his site (and links) is already 4 years aged.”
What would you do in your site if you new you were going to sell 4 years from now? What’s your high target price? Realistic price range? Who will be your potential buyers? (No seriously, I want to know…)
drewmeyers
Posted at 22:15h, 23 JulyCurious how much a site would be worth if it was generating 5000 uniques a month, 100 leads, and 5 closings a month? Just made those numbers up…but what would someone sell a site you’ve been working on for 5 years? Really curious what RE sites are worth.
Alex
Posted at 01:54h, 24 JulyFor one that is completely dominating its niche, has a proven history, is aged well beyond anything that a new site could do (i.e. at least 10 years), I’d say $50K is within reason. Of course there would be countless variables to consider, but it’d take quite a bit to convince me to go higher.
Alex
Posted at 01:54h, 24 JulyFor one that is completely dominating its niche, has a proven history, is aged well beyond anything that a new site could do (i.e. at least 10 years), I’d say $50K is within reason. Of course there would be countless variables to consider, but it’d take quite a bit to convince me to go higher.
free dating sites
Posted at 10:10h, 25 JulyNot sure.. some would think to sell real estate site here
free dating sites
Posted at 10:10h, 25 JulyNot sure.. some would think to sell real estate site here
free dating sites
Posted at 10:10h, 25 JulyNot sure.. some would think to sell real estate site here
Cape Coral Rental Management
Posted at 15:03h, 25 JulyThere is obviously a lot to consider about this. But I think you made some good points in discussing the topic.
Riverside Home Source
Posted at 15:10h, 25 JulyI think it’s all well and good to talk about sites like Zillow making a fat chunk of change, but I haven’t yet seen or heard of individual agent or broker sites ACTUALLY selling. I’ve heard people say they’re looking to sell, but haven’t yet witnessed a sale…
Riverside Home Source
Posted at 15:12h, 25 JulyBTW – I like the Geekestateblog redesign!
drewmeyers
Posted at 15:15h, 25 JulyThank you. Glad to finally have it launched!
Tom Lipinski
Posted at 17:44h, 25 JulyUpdated site is looking good Drew.
Palmdale Homes
Posted at 15:19h, 27 JulyMy site needs more content and tools, so I would start making improvements there. My target price would probably be 4-5x what the site could generate in sales that year based on incoming leads. My potential buyers would have to be other agents in my area.
Cape Coral Properties
Posted at 12:47h, 19 SeptemberThe best way to find a potential buyers is market your site in ads and social media’s. Social media is predominant to the new marketing paradigm and most powerful way to get serious buyers.
Cape Coral Rental Management
Posted at 14:09h, 21 SeptemberNo. Absolutely no!
Cape Coral Real Estate Listing
Posted at 13:21h, 05 DecemberNO! It’s not a great idea, social media is more valuable and efficient this days. It’s really such a good investment, more if it is a high ranking site..
Homes For Sale In Cape Coral
Posted at 09:07h, 06 DecemberI think you should optimize your site, the best ways to market right now is through social media. I think you should consider other options..
Seattle Condos
Posted at 13:47h, 07 DecemberI would do something very similar to what GEK has done here. Partner with other strong professionals to post quality content that creates pertinent, strong inbound links to my site. I’m actually going to do this – but I won’t be an agent, I’ll be a lawyer.
Let me know if there’s anything you wish you had known before starting GEK. I’ve done most of my own research and have a good grasp of the SEO side of the house.