Diane Guercio of Towne & Country, Realtors®

I’m number #1 – well, after the first 10 results! That’s a statement that plagues many agents who appear at the “top” of the search engines. That’s because for so many local based searches, Google first shows the local “7-pack.”

Suddenly, being “#1″ organically means your site doesn’t show up until half way down the page of the search results. With this in mind, I thought I would give some quick tips on how to ensure you show up at the true top of the page.

Now I’m sure most everyone knows about Google Local (or Google Places as they now call it). But to really optimize for the local results you have to take a step further.

Want to Rank Well for the Big 3 Search Engines?
Then Pay Attention to the “Other” Big 3

Most searches happen on either Google, Yahoo or Bing. But these search engines actually rely on other companies for their local data. Localeze, infoUSA, and Acxiom are the backbone of the entire local search ecosystem. Basically, they’re some of the most important sites that you have never heard of! Just take a look at the graphic below. It shows just how important they are to Google, Yahoo and Bing’s local search results.

Now that you know who really powers the Local Ecosystem, let’s look at a few optimization tips to ensure you show up for the infamous “7 Pack”

Google Local Optimization Tips

Step 1: Get Listed!

The first step is to ensure you are listed in the local search engines. Fortunately, the “trickle down” approach of the local ecosystem means that you’ll only really need to list your business with these top 3 providers – Localeze, InfoUSA, and Acxiom. Of course, you will also want to submit your business to Google Places -  to help verify Google’s info. Localeze and InfoUSA have online submission forms. Acxion, on the other hand, doesn’t allow direct submissions. Instead, you’ll need to go through UniversalBusinessListing.org – (note that this is a paid service).

Step 2: Optimize when signing up for these local directories.

You’ll want to follow a few simple optimization tips…

Make it complete!
Incomplete data makes it difficult to verify your business. Ensure your information is complete!

Always reference your business Name in the exact same way – EVERYWHERE!
For example, don’t submit your business name as Joy Rice Realty Group on Localeze then The Joy Rice Team in Google Places. These will be seen as two separate businesses.

Local Numbers
Use a local number instead of an 800 number when submitting your business information. This helps Google “localize” you.

Max out the Categories
Google allows you to associate your business with up to 5 categories. Populate all 5!

Use Keywords!
Use relevant keywords in your description. Don’t just say you’re a real estate agent. Say that your a Plano TX real estate agent 

Build Local Link Love!
Get linked up in other local directories (like BBB), Bing Local Listing Center is another great directory and is doing some really cool things with their local business search. Show Google that you focus on the local market.

Encourage Reviews
Instead of sending your sellers an evaluation form, encourage them to leave a reviews on sites like Yelp!

Get Cited “Locally”
Work those relationships with the local media (you ARE following them on Twitter – Right?) Reach out to other local bloggers.

Submit Your Information to Hyperlocal News Sites
Sites like outside.in and topix.net allows you to submit your local content for free. Are you going to get a ton of traffic? Probably not. Is it a no brainier because it’s 100% automated? YES!

Bonus Tips

Need even more tips? Here are few for the “advanced” users…

Maintain a Google Calendar (make it public) and set location information for open Houses, Local Events, etc.

GeoTag your videos and Photos! (YouTube/Flickr)

Create custom Google Maps and link them back to your site. Hoboken Condo agent Walter Burns create a simple Hoboken parking garage map that has received over 1,000 views – Make sure this is under YOUR Google account. If you have a Virtual Assistant this, have them create it under your account. 

Don’t forget about the contact us page of your site – as well as your footer information. And remember, ensure your address and phone number matches exactly!

I know that some may look at this list and think “This is just too much work.” While it does take work, I think the pay off far outweighs the couple of hours it would take to optimize for local results. After all, if someone is looking for real estate in your area, don’t you want to be at the top of the search results?

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This fun article even includes staging advice for that pesky haunted manor…

What, exactly, are you required to tell potential buyers about the property they may be interested in?

Anything that would affect the buyer’s decision to purchase or the price and terms the buyer offers needs to be disclosed. So if you have knowledge about a defect, it should be disclosed.

But what if someone died in the property? Or how about this- what if the home is haunted?
Interestingly enough, although disclosure of these characteristics is required in some states, that is not the case if your home is located in Massachusetts:

from the MGL site:

Section 114. The fact or suspicion that real property may be or is psychologically impacted shall not be deemed to be a material fact required to be disclosed in a real estate transaction. “Psychologically impacted” shall mean an impact being the result of facts or suspicions including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) that an occupant of real property is now or has been suspected to be infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or any other disease which reasonable medical evidence suggests to be highly unlikely to be transmitted through the occupying of a dwelling;

(b) that the real property was the site of a felony, suicide or homicide; and

(c) that the real property has been the site of an alleged parapsychological or supernatural phenomenon.

No cause of action shall arise or be maintained against a seller or lessor of real property or a real estate broker or salesman, by statute or at common law, for failure to disclose to a buyer or tenant that the real property is or was psychologically impacted.

If you live in California, you don’t have the same leeway – a death occurring within a 3 year window of the listing must be disclosed. And in New York, for example, you are required to tell possible buyers if a home is inhabited by ghosts.

Even though disclosure is not required in Massachusetts, if a buyer asks, you must tell the truth:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this section shall not authorize a seller, lessor or real estate broker or salesman to make a misrepresentation of fact or false statement.

So… what about the buyers who WANT to buy a house with a little … um… history?

Here are a few supposedly haunted homes that are for sale. NOTE: for the sake of full disclosure, I have no first-hand knowledge about these properties .

Missouri: 6 bedrooms, several ghosts

Amityille: yes, this is the one. Listing info from Zillow

And here is a site that matches up haunted house buyer and sellers, and pairs them with a local knowledgeable real estate sales agent: Real Haunted House Listings . I didn’t see anything in Massachusetts there, but it wouldn’t bother me to show haunted houses!

If you want to just visit the ghosts on a temporary basis, here are some haunted Bed and Breakfasts in the Northeast.

And last but not least – here’s an article with staging advice for moving that haunted house of yours!

originally posted in 365 Things to do in Massachusetts

I love the Fourth of July!!!

Here are some of the Fireworks and July 4 Celebrations in Massachusetts:

Springfield MA: July 4  Starting at 7:00 – concert, then Fireworks and music simulcast by MIX 93.1

Sturbridge Ma – Old Sturbridge Village: July 4 Celebration all day with fireworks at night

Greenfield MA - July 2 (rain date July 3) – concerts and fireworks in 2 locations: Beacon Field and Middle School Field

Cape Ann Independence Day Celebration: July 3 6:00 Parade Gloucester. Fireworks at 10 over Gloucester Harbor. July 4 Parade and Concerts – see link

Rutland MA - http://www.rutlandma-4thofjuly.org/

Also, check the Towne & Country blog for Central MA events - July 4 fireworks and other festivities in the North Central MA area, including Leominster and Fitchburg