Debbie's Blog

Marketing Yourself & Having Fun at the Same Time!

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:29:32 -0500

In this business we have to #1 market ourself and then the rest will fall into place. It took me a LONG time to figure that one out. Somehow things are finally beginning to "click" in my brain.

What I do for Fun and Relaxation is ride horses.....believe me, it's a real stress buster. I got to thinking, how can I use this to my advantage.......well, I decided I would create a video and use it in my business not only to elighten the public about a wonderful facility in the area, but also to help those who are going to be new transplants to our local. At the same time, I am helping my community and also my image + I HAD FUN! Doesn't get much better than that!

Recently I sent this video to the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce & the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Within 15 minutes I had some very positive responses from these leaders of our community! Do I think they will remember me? You betcha they will! That's what I want. When they are recruiting companies to move into the area, the higher powers that be always want to know what is there for employees to do in the area.....now they have a new video to use!

I also use "Video Open Houses" to market a great percentage of my homes. Check out this sample: http://www.debbiejennings.com/rural-real-estate-c43/181-a-cr-350-millersville-mo-p68/

Because of the "Video Open Houses" I have been able to double end more of my own homes. I have even had 2 couples basically put a contract on my listings "sight unseen"----because they felt they had been there in person by watching the videos. One of the homes I listed had been listed off and on for 5 years...within 2 months I had a contract on the home (sight unseen), once again because of my personal videos.

I have already implemented Call Capture into my system...so when I receive a text message from someone inquiring about one of my listings I immediately call and ask to send them a video open house...let me tell you what...they are then MINE---"hook - line & sinker!"

I also have an email database of buyers and a database of agents. As soon as I complete a video open house I immediately send it to all in my database to make them aware of what is new on the market. I have people call me from my email database all the time and act like they know me (of course, I act like I remember them too)....but the idea is they feel like they know me because they see my videos all the time and think I have cared enough about them to keep them up to date (which I do!!).

Recently I was in a group of people and someone was visiting from CA and I'm from a tiny farm community in MO. I made a comment in the group and later this individual came up to me and said, "I know you! I've watched you many times in your videos....they are wonderful!!" Now this person hasn't bought a house from me yet, but I can guarantee you I will be giving it a try!!

I shot a video at a home that I really felt was somewhat overpriced. Well, as I was shooting the video...I knew I had to put the Hard Sell on (I never know what is going to come out of my mouth) I noticed the seller had a crock pot on the kitchen counter and it was all steamed up. I made the comment "It looks like the seller has supper cooking and WOW, it's ham and beans..it smells wonderful...I think we all need to just join them for supper!" Little did I realize when I did that I just appealed to the public's sense of smell and taste and made this home very realistic to them---this home went under contract 2 weeks later. Did the ham and beans sell it? We'll never know....but they sure didn't hurt!

Debbie Jennings, Broker, Sales

RE/MAX Realty Experts

Cape Girardeau / Jackson, MO

Email: Debbie@DebbieJennings.com

Website: http://www.DebbieJennings.com

Cell: 573-275-1533

My New Office Arrangement

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:52:53 -0500

I have recently moved my office to my home! I never thought I would like this arrangment, but I have a "gut feeling" this is going to work out very productively for me!

I always felt the "professional" image was to be behind a desk in a "glitzy" office....well, in these days and times the "glitzy" image has taken on a new meaning for me! I have always been a very independent agent....after all....aren't we self-employed! Anytime I would make a purchase of equipment I always had the idea in the back of my head..."could I use this for a home office". Well, I finally put my money where my mouth is!

I still have so much cleaning and organizing to do, but I'm getting there. We live in a mobile society, where wi-fi is just around every corner, so why not take advantage of it!

Currently we are in the process of building a horse stable and we have poured the concrete for my office at the stable, which is where I will eventually be....but in the interim....I'm at home and smiling alot more!

I would love to hear from other agents who have utilized a home office. Please email me and give me some of your best pointers and suggestions..........I will be all ears. We can all learn from each other!

Licensed Assistant Advantages

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:56:10 -0500

I currently have an unlicensed assistant, but am seriously considering sending her to school to get her license. I know the advantages of having a licensed assistant, however, what I am completely unclear about is the structure of any pay - salary - and/or commission arrangement.

Those of you who already have a licensed assistant would have quite a bit of knowledge to share with me. I'd sure appreciate some professional "tips"!

Please send an email to me at: Debbie@DebbieJennings.com

Single Listing Websites....Any Benefits?

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:26:23 -0500

Single Listing Websites have been cropping up, but as of yet I have not utilized them. Could anyone please explain to me the benefits and/or ways to use these to bring the best benefit in selling a home?

Marketing Yourself & Having Fun at the Same Time!

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:40:22 -0600

In this business we have to #1 market ourself and then the rest will fall into place. It took me a LONG time to figure that one out. Somehow things are finally beginning to "click" in my brain.

How to Have Hundreds of Visitors at your Open House!

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:29:25 -0600

I have blogged about this subject in my personal blog on active rain. I think if all of you will check this out and then actually (I know this is a NEW concept) implement the tactics.....you will find they are VERY $$$REwarding!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at Debbie@DebbieJennings.com or my cell phone is: 573-275-1533.

Triple Murder in Jackson, MO----The Unthinkable Happened!

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:56:31 -0600

The unthinkable happened in our quiet little community of Jackson, MO. Actually this murder happened about 2 blocks from our secure little home....almost in my backyard. That's too close for comfort! Who would have thought it! This sleepy little community is like Mayberry, USA, on the weekend, the business district (pretty much one block) rolls the sidewalks up at noon, forcing everyone to either shop at the super WalMart or go to Cape Girardeau, MO. Many times people still leave their front doors unlocked, kids play outside unattended, spring, summer & fall sees families picnicking in the park. This peace was all shattered, Monday, December 3, 2007. All the details have not yet been revealed, but it seems an exparte order had been filed against a husband and he could not deal with it, so a couple of hours later he shot his wife, her 16 yr old son, and their 2 other children, one 4 yrs and the other a toddler, he then killed himself. The toddler was dead at the scene, the mother fled to the sheriff's office for help, the 16 yr old died about 2 days later. At this point in time the mother and 4 yr old have survived.

My opinion has always been if someone is in such a rage then just kill themselves and end their apparent misery......do not take innocent children down with them! What a waste of our precious young people.

I am a real estate professional, because of this, I am constantly asked if a particular area is a "safe place to live". Legally I cannot answer that, I have to direct prospective clients to statistics so they can arrive at their own opinion.

I am still happy to say that Jackson, MO, is not a violent community. Yes, there are occasionally violent happenings, but they are truly a rarity. Unfortunately as time progresses all things change and history repeats itself, however, it would be a wonderful thing to be able to cling to sanity, even if it's for a few fleeting years!

"House Jacking".......A REAL Problem!

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:08:29 -0600

House Jacking are 2 words that have become quite "notorious" in Southeast Missouri in the past few weeks. It's a scheme that I am sure happens nationwide, however, in my area of the country, this scheme is being reveled! There has been extensive news coverage on our local television channel and, with due cause, many consumers have become very wary of lenders & appraisers. You fill find some very interesting news video clips at: www.kfvs12.com scroll down on the left hand side under "video News Clips" to find the House Jacking Part 1, 2 & 3 stories. As real estate professionals, we need to be informed of such practices so we can not only protect our customers, but also protect the ethical side of our profession!

New Marketing Campaign-----Any Feedback?

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:00:20 -0600

I am about to embark on a television advertising campaign. Have any of you out there is "Real Estate Land" done this also.....if so, were you satisfied with the results? If you have done so, I am sure you realize it's not inexpensive......so I would love to hear some feedback before I open my checkbook!

Thanks to all my professional associates!

Like Bees to Honey.........so the saying goes!

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:18:28 -0600

On Tuesday, November 20th I recorded a totally different video!! Let me explain:

I sell real estate and my speciality is Equestrian Properties. Many people do not own enough property to "have" a horse. We personally do not own enough property for our 2 horses to graze on. However, in our community there is an equestrian facility that people need to know about. There is not another facility of it's size and quality between here and St Louis, MO.

This equestrian facility has 20 state of the art stalls, 2 wash bays (one with hot water), paddock turn outs and several pastures, indoor riding arena, outdoor riding arena, longe ring and approximately 1,000 acres available to ride on. So if you do not have a horse trailer you really don't have to go anywhere to ride.....doesn't get much better than that! Full and partial boarding is offered. There is a professional "hunter-Jumper" trainer on staff. The barn is equipped with an eco-friendly fly spray system.....great for the summer time when flies become a BIG problem.

Not only do people that live within the area of Cape Girardeau, MO, need to know about this classic equestrian facility, but there are also alot of individuals that move into this area every year......now this information will be available via a link to a video. This video will be available on Friday, November 23, 2007. Any who are interested in viewing please email me your name, address, phone number & email and I will send you the entire video, my email is: Debbie@DebbieJennings.com Please put Send Fox Run Video in the subject box. Hope to hear from alot of you horse lovers!

Information to "Video Open Houses"

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:43:46 -0600

Fellow Realtors,

I really felt alot of you would appreciate this approach to video open houses. I really am not at liberty to quote prices for my producer. However, feel free to contact him at: www.highrecall.com His name is Brian Barnes and he is an absolute GENIUS......you cannot go wrong with this fella, he has connections and can "hook you up" with someone to help you where you are!

Debbie Jennings

RE/MAX Realty Experts

Cell: 573-275-1533

Email Debbie@DebbieJennings.com

How to Have HUNDREDS Of Visitors at Your Open House

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:30:33 -0600

I have come up with a real winner....I very rarely do a physical open house anymore. They are wonderful for beginning agents, but I treasure my weekend time with family. Instead I have compiled a comprehensive email list that I use to my advantage. My email list is split into 2 sections: Real Estate Agents (becuase 98% of them haven't seen the home in the 1st place) and buyers & sellers.....then I hire a professional cameraman to film me as I walk and talk through the home to be featured in my weekly "Video Open House". You can check out all my current video open houses at: www.DebbieJennings.info

To help defray the production costs I normally have a "guest speaker". The guest speaker is someone who is a key ingredient to make a sales transaction go from the first signatures to the closing table. To top everything off, I have learned alot from my guest speakers, which in turn has helped educate me about some of the details of a transaction.

My producer then goes back to his office and sends me a link to a completed "video Open House". I then use a product he devised and am able to do a mass email of 500-600 people that are truly interested in either buying, selling, or agents that may have a prospective buyer! To me this is a productive way of having an open house. You may contact the company I have do these productions at: www.highrecall.com I highly recommend this company's professionalism. After doing my mass email the video is then posted on YouTube and also on the internet.

You can bet when someone calls me for information about one of my properties....I shoot them a video open house and guess what....I've just then captured another email address for my list!!

One more ADDED benefit....you talk about something to WOW a seller when I go for a listing presentation. No one else is doing this and the seller's Love the idea. 9 times out of 10 I get the listing....PLUS, it's a blast doing these films!! It's a NO BRAINER!

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email. Make sure and put: Video Open House Questions/Ideas in the subject line so make sure I do not delete the email before reading!

Debbie Jennings http://www.DebbieJennings.com

Email: Debbie@DebbieJennings.com

Cell: 573-275-1533

NATIONAL REAL ESTATE CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, NV.

Debbie Jennings (RE/MAX Realty Experts) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:06:32 -0600

I just came home from attending NAR (the national real estate convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. My first time to attend and I have promised myself to never miss another one! It was absolutely wonderful to learn so many new things. Realtors need to make sure the public is aware the market is doing very well, unlike what the media has portrayed to the gullible masses.....bad news sells.....good news does not! I found it very interesting that Las Vegas is also the "capitol" of foreclosures, and foreclosures offer BIG business opportunities for not only our clients, but also real estate agents. Many agents work with investors and there was quite a bit of information on 1031 exchanges provided.

My husband accompanied me to all the events and classes, as a non-real estate person he was also extremely enlightened by the courses and professionalism of the instructors. A "high point" for both of us was the James Taylor concert on Thursday, November 15th. It was a concert we will always remember! I send out a special thank you to Bank of America for providing this concert to all those who were "full attendees".

Next year the NAR convention will be in Orlando, FL, and you can bet......I WILL BE THERE!

Debbie