Ask every inquirer how they found the listing, and write the answer down
A one-question habit for measuring where listing inquiries come from, with a way to record answers and a caution about what a small count can and cannot tell you.
A listing dashboard may show views, not people. The simplest way to learn where inquiries come from is to ask the person who inquired.
This is a record-keeping habit. We have not tested it on a set of listings and we do not report results from it.
The one question
Ask each new inquirer how they first heard about the home. Use the same wording each time, and ask it early, ideally in your first reply.
Write down their words
Record the answer as they said it, then add it to a short list of groups you choose, such as a listing site, a sign, a friend, a social post or an open house. Keep the original words in a notes column, because an answer may name more than one source.
Keep it next to your other logs
Put the answer on the same sheet as your showing-request log, with the date. If you also keep a change log for the listing, the dates will line up.
Read it with care
A handful of answers is a handful of stories, not a measurement. We suggest waiting until you have a meaningful number before comparing groups, and being clear with the seller that the counts are small.
- Some people may not remember, and an answer may reflect only the last place they saw the home. Record "not sure" as an answer.
- Do not count an answer as proof that one source worked better than another.
- If the question feels awkward in a given case, skip it and note that you skipped it.
Decide what to do with it
Pick a date to look at the list, for example two weeks after the listing goes live. On that date, write one sentence about what you will do differently, or that you will change nothing. Writing the decision down keeps the habit from becoming a spreadsheet nobody opens.
Share it plainly
When you update a seller, show the list of answers and the number of inquirers, and say what you could not tell. A short honest list is more useful than a confident ranking.
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