And should real estate agents be using it? Find out.

Largely in part due to the rise of social media, the ways of marketing are rapidly changing. Most people are familiar with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There is no doubt that they are great social media platforms for real estate marketing and keeping clients informed. But, there is another platform gaining popularity that you might want to consider.

Snapchat is a mobile app that allows users to capture videos and photos that automatically delete after a few seconds. While it is a relatively new platform, it is very popular. There are an estimated 8 billion video views every day by more than 100 million daily active Snapchatters on the app.

How it Works

Users, called “Snapchatters,” take a video or photo, set the time limit (between 1-10 seconds) and then send their ‘Snap’ to the contacts on their list. For example, a real estate agent could snap a tour of a house with each room being one snap.

Snaps can be edited to add text, drawings and filters. While Snaps only last between 1-10 seconds, a Snap “Story” will remain for 24 hours before it disappears.  Users may save their snaps to their phones, and if the receiver takes a screenshot or replays a snap, you the sender is notified.

Smart tip: Snaps are built to be for a vertical viewing so there is no need to twist your phone sideways to see the entire view.

Snapchat is meant to be fun and engaging by offering your contacts visual snippets of whatever you are doing or want them to see at that moment in time.

Real estate marketing is extremely visual, which is why Snapchat can be useful for client engagement. Instead of a phone call or a text, agents can send their clients snaps of a prospective home, the kitchen, the pool, the master bath, the address, curbside appeal and more.

Snaps can be used to show off a homes accents, details or a broad panoramic view - the possibilities are endless!

Snapchat’s primary user demographic is in the millennial age range. However, it can be a useful tool in your client communication strategy toolbox.

If you are worried that Snapchat is only for millennials, make no mistake, it will grow beyond the millennial demographic. Companies such as ESPN, National Geographic, and The Food Network are already using the platform to engage with their diverse viewers.