A Darlington estate agent believes that a new OTM initiative using QR codes on its for sale boards are a sign of things to come.

Hall Properties introduced the progressive marketing technique two weeks ago and has been inundated with enquiries.

Once scanned, the code provides instant property details and takes prospective buyers through to its OnTheMarket.com listing where they can arrange a viewing. The boards are provided by Kremer Signs but branded as an OTM initiative.

While some agents include QR codes in their window display so that browsing customers can download property details, these smartboards are provided by the property portal and sit underneath the standard for sale sign, and the estate agency’s appear to the first time they’ve been promoted publicly by an estate agency.

Hall Properties reports that it’s already had more than 70 email leads from the three smart boards it has put up, particularly as prospective buyers don’t even have to get up close to the signs – instead they can just park outside and zoom in on the code with their phone, director Carl Hall (pictured) tells The Negotiator: “Lots of people are saying what a good idea it is and how they want one outside their property,” he reports.

Early days

“It’s early days but I’m really pleased with the response – it’s free to use at the moment and an easy way to engage with people.

“Viewings have quadrupled on these properties and I hope we could eventually use them on every for sale board.”

Hall believes that it has also had an impact on website views generally, which have increased from 153 to 967 in the last month. He adds: “I’ve doubled my business in the last 12 months with OnTheMarket.”