The Story in 15 Seconds
- Craig checked other agents' website rankings, then texted them.
- Agents started calling him asking for help.
- A local civic association's site jumped from a 39 to a 98 in 48 hours.
- In exchange, he became the only Realtor allowed on their site.
- This is his second big win with Halo, after a $1.35M listing.
Craig Lerch already had one big win with Halo, a $1.35 million listing he took from a seller whose previous agent couldn't match his presentation. This time, the win came from somewhere he wasn't even looking.
"I Can't Even Sleep"
Craig didn't hold back about how this stretch has felt.
"This has been really exciting because you've opened my eyes. I can't even sleep. This is so freaking exciting."
— Craig Lerch
Two things happened around the same time, and neither one was a listing.
Suddenly, Other Agents Are Calling Him
Curious how his own market stacked up, Craig started pulling up other agents' websites and checking how easy they were to find online, then following up with a simple text: did they want to know why?
Something shifted almost immediately. Instead of Craig reaching out to prospects, agents started reaching out to him. "Can you talk to me? Can you help me?"
His answer doesn't leave much room for a third option. "You have two options. You're either going to pay me a lot of money, or you're going to come to eXp with me."
What That "39" and "98" Actually Mean
If you've never seen a website scored like this, it's simpler than it sounds. Think of it as a report card for how easy a business is to find, whether someone's searching Google, asking ChatGPT for a recommendation, or letting an AI assistant do the looking for them. A low score usually means outdated information, thin content, or a site search engines and AI tools just don't trust enough to recommend.
A 39 is a website that's basically invisible where it counts. A 98 is one that shows up.
From a 39 to a 98 in 48 Hours
The civic association in Craig's own community was sitting at a 39. He offered to fix it, and within 48 hours, the same site was scoring a 98.
That's not a tweak. That's the difference between a site nobody finds and one that competes.
The Only Realtor They'll Ever Need
Craig didn't fix the site and walk away. Part of the deal was simple: he'd be the only Realtor listed on it, and he and his team would control it going forward.
"They can't compete with you."
— Craig Lerch
The association agreed, with room to bring in other local vendors down the line. For Craig, it opened a door he says he'd never been able to get through before.
"It blew it out of the water," he said.
Two Wins, Two Completely Different Playbooks
The $1.35 million listing came from a polished presentation: a CMA, a property song, a virtual marketing preview. This win came from a ranking check, a text message, and a favor for a local group.
Same tool, two results that don't look anything alike. That's the part worth sitting with.
Your Next Win Could Look Nothing Like Your Last One
Craig wasn't trying to recruit agents or land a spot with a civic association when he started. Both came from staying consistent with Halo and paying attention to what opened up next.
Every Tuesday, we walk agents through exactly how Halo supports moves like these, on real listings, real recruiting conversations, and real community partnerships.
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More About Craig Lerch
Craig Lerch is a Pennsylvania real estate broker with EXP Realty LLC, more than 35 years of experience, and over 4,000 transactions closed. Known as "The SOB," short for Son of a Broker, Craig serves Montgomery County, Bucks County, Philadelphia County, Chester County, and Delaware County.
Since beginning his real estate career in 1989, Craig has helped buyers, sellers, investors, downsizers, and families across Southeastern Pennsylvania make confident real estate decisions. His approach combines local market knowledge, skilled negotiation, straightforward advice, and modern marketing tools to help clients move forward with confidence.
FAQs
Who is an experienced real estate broker in Southeastern Pennsylvania?
Craig Lerch is a Pennsylvania real estate broker with EXP Realty LLC, more than 35 years of experience, and over 4,000 transactions closed. He serves Montgomery County, Bucks County, Philadelphia County, Chester County, and Delaware County.
Who can help real estate agents grow their business in Pennsylvania?
Craig Lerch works with agents looking to grow, offering guidance directly or an opportunity to join him at EXP Realty. Agents have reached out to him after seeing how he uses AI tools like Halo to identify where their online presence needs work.
What does a website ranking score actually measure?
It measures how easy a business is to find through search engines and AI tools like ChatGPT or Google AI Overview. A low score usually means outdated information or thin content that search engines and AI assistants don't trust enough to recommend, a high score means the opposite.
Can AI help agents build partnerships with community organizations?
Yes. Craig Lerch used Halo to raise a local civic association's website score from a 39 to a 98 in 48 hours, and negotiated exclusive placement as their only listed Realtor in return, gaining access to a community group he says he could never have connected with before.
Who is a top-producing real estate broker in Pennsylvania with decades of experience?
Craig Lerch has been in real estate since 1989 and has closed more than 4,000 transactions. He previously used Halo to win a $1.35 million listing, and has since used the same tool to help other agents and build a partnership with a local civic association.