I previously owned a neighborhood and didn't find that it brought me any additional traffic or requests.  I had pictures of the area, information and history etc all filled out.  I hope you have a better response.

I am pretty new at this site, but bought a neighborhood several months ago and got a good prospect (we are in negotiations for listing) the first week.  One of the things that I like best is the Neighborhood has good rankings in the search engine google.  This in itself helps your visability.

I tried it out last time around and had a lot of traffic to my site - at least that's what point2 tells me. I haven't had any calls or emails, but I went on ahead with 5 areas this time in hopes of scoring a deal. Kathy is right, at least it helps with visability.

I previously purchased a neighborhood and used the google placement of whatever neighborhood I was going on a listing in my presentations. I never got any leads from the traffic it generated, but I think it is like everything else in this biz..... a numbers game.

My favorite "perk" of having a neighborhood is the fact that even though another P2 member may have a listing in your neighborhood, you are considered the "neighborhood expert". Who do you think they will call, the expert, of course....good luck, you will see benefits from it.

I've owned 2 to 3 neighborhoods at a time, presently I have two. Never received any leads, email or phone calls. This will be my last time purchasing neighborhoods.

I bought two neighborhoods last time and just recently bought one for this quarter.  I do think it helped drive traffic to my site and improve my rankings a bit, but I haven't gotten any leads off of it.  I'll tell you this though, I won't buy a neighborhood until it's down to the $20 minimum.

I think a good thing to do is buy a neighborhood where you have a listing and try to bill yourself on your website as the neighborhood expert.  Feature your listing with a link to your neighborhood expert page (If you can find it!  I had trouble finding mine last time). Try to advertise an open house for your listings within that neighborhood on your site too.

I also do a write up and include a link to the homeowner's association if there is one.  I also go take pictures of the entrance, the pool, etc. Include a photo of properties you have listed on the page too.   And I restate my phone number, email and web address within the text that I write.  Take a look at the examples Point2 has when you go to the "manage neighborhoods" section of your online office.

Hope that helps.  If anyone has other suggestions, I'd love to hear them too!

I was thinking the very same question, so thanks for starting this thread.  

Thanks Maria for your answer, I have copied it and will take some of the points on board, although I must admit to having the neighbourhoods just initially to drive traffic.  

I have not had time to write anything as yet, thankfully due to the volume of enquiries regarding property,

fingers crossed.

Neighbourhood is a raffle you have a ticket, now you wait, however if you did not have the ticket you would not have an opportunity.

The key here is, not what the neighbourhood does for you, rather than what others not having it does for you.

I'm still new and I think the best thing you can do is goto homes.point2.com and research which areas are the most popular before bidding or buying one. Many of the best areas are already taken and those left over have no homes listed. So pick the ones that you buy carefully. Just a thought

Like so much of the Internet based advertising, it can be difficult to determine the "bang for your buck."  

I just figured when the neighborhoods get down to the low price of $20.00 a piece, they are a no-brainer!

For $20 it gets your name out there.  I expect nothing more, so it is a bonus if a lead comes in.

Hi (again) Jan!

I have had a Premium site for about 3 years now which includes 2 Neighbourhoods that are most specific to my area of expertise... there are tons of hits and many, many good contacts and neatest of all... referrals from other P2 members!

I like the continuity of not having to renew ever or get into a bidding war with anyone over an area... they are mine baby! lol

Regards,

Anastasia