Trendsetters

  • Linda King & Julie Greenwood
    Co-Owners, Greenwood King Properties

Greenwood King Properties: The Leading Privately-Owned Firm

Founded in 1984, Greenwood King is one of Houston’s most resourceful, responsive and respected real estate firms.

One of only a handful of privately-owned firms in Houston, the nearly 200-agent company is a leader in the city’s high-end market with yearly sales approaching $1 billion.

Greenwood King has earned its reputation for: award-winning and innovative marketing; Realtors who fully understand the subtle nuances of each neighborhood the firm serves – street-by-street; and efficient and thoughtful use of the latest technology.

The hands-on principals of Greenwood King, Julie Greenwood and Linda King, are firm believers in active participation in the local community and support a high level of volunteerism with significant financial contributions to schools, organizations and community programs.

With three offices in the Houston area, Greenwood King is the first “boutique” firm to open the city’s only full-service real estate resource center, The Lobby. The Lobby’s primary mission is to meet the homeowner needs of Houston city residents.

It’s a place to find your home.

Email Julie and Linda


With companies like Google and Zillow now in the real estate space, how do you think Internet-based vendors will change real estate?

Honestly, Zillow is having very little impact in Houston because they use local Tax Assessor Information for comps. This information tends to be inaccurate as an indicator of value. The Houston Association of Realtors has recently launched “Value Finder” which provides an accurate range from closed sales. Additionally, the Houston consumer has a strong preference for a Real Estate agent’s analysis and interpretation of the data in order to establish a sales price. 

 

On the other hand, Houston was the first association in the US to give our listings to Google.  We decided this for several reasons, but mainly because it dramatically maximizes exposure. Google is the #1 search engine in the country and it’s a fabulous way to market a property to buyers locally and more importantly globally. 


Given this change in the competitive landscape, what types of tools and technologies, if any, do you think are essential for brokerages to offer today's tech-savvy consumers?

Cutting edge technology gives us the ability to communicate valuable information like local schools, the characteristics and nuances of any given neighborhood, mortgage calculation, multiple images, virtual tours, detailed property information, and requests for market analysis at any time of the day. Primarily we do this through the internet, and it’s vital for a brokerage to have a well designed, easy to navigate and “consumer centric” web presence.  This level of sophistication in a website isn’t inexpensive; but it really enhances a client’s experience and obviously drives sales. We’ve now taken information to the Mobi level where locally clients can search their web enabled PDA’s for all the listings in Houston.  GK now has www.greenwoodking.mobi which gives the client immediate access to all active listings.


Exceptional service differentiates brokerages and their sales associates in an increasingly competitive marketplace. With 70% of consumers starting their home search on the Web, brokers need to extend their customer service infrastructure online to engage Internet prospects and convert clicks into clients. In your opinion, what tools and services are essential for brokerages to provide a premium level of customer service to online consumers?

Our market research has told us repeatedly, that the online customers want:  Easy navigation and organized searches, neighborhood and school information, agent contact information, detailed property profiles with multiple pictures. Additionally they want tax information and someone to get back with them in 2 hours or less.


A successful Internet marketing strategy not only generates leads, but also generates referral revenue and provides sales associates with a valuable source of new business. What strategies have created the biggest and best return on your Internet marketing investment for your brokerage?

It’s as simple as giving clients access to vitally important information 24 hours a day.  If nothing else, logistically it increases sales. Another internet strategy we employ is automatically generated emails which notify buyers of new listings which fit the buyers specifications; plus, company wide we send open house , new listing, price reduction and event notices to registered users.   However, I have to reiterate that we could never achieve this level of success and couldn’t maintain it currently without the strength and knowledge of our invaluable agents.

Email Julie and Linda