Denise's Blog

Why I'm Kicking Your Butt in Selling Real Estate

Denise Thornberry Slade (Diane Design Home Staging & Redesign) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:51:01 -0700

AND...THOSE PHOTOS HAD BETTER LOOK GOOD THAT ARE POSTED ON ALL THOSE GREAT INTERNET GOLD MINES! Don't forget to get those homes staged so your listings look absolutely the best. The competition is easy to beat: Great price, Great property. READY, GO!

Via Bob Haywood, www.BobHaywood.com (McGraw Realtors):

Dear Ineffective Realtor,

You used to be a big dog in this business, but not anymore. Today I watch you in the office as you read the latest edition of Realtor Magazine, make some phone calls and sit around visit with others or read the latest funny email someone sent you.

I want to be sad for you, but I can't.

You see, your comment about how texting is for young people tells me that you choose to be ineffective, outdated and broke. I use texting today with many of those young people who are now my clients. And I use texting to communicate with people my age too. And I'm in my 40's. I cannot believe that you refuse to learn how to text. Your grandchildren and grown children would love to talk to you this way. But that's okay. You go ahead and stay in 1990. I'll take those clients who are looking for technical saavy agents. Yep, I'll work with them.

I want to be sad for you, but I can't.

As I watch you struggle to figure out how to get pictures from a digital camera to a computer and then to the MLS, I just have to shake my head. It just isn't that hard, if you are willing to learn. But all you want to talk about is how you used to sell real estate with the "big book" that had pages and pages of pre-printed listings. And you love that the MLS people or the office people used to do all that work for you. And I'm glad you know about virtual tours, but it's too bad that you do not understand how important it is to put them on Youtube and in blogs. That's a discussion reserved for people who choose to sell real estate in the here and now of the real world because even if we had that talk, you wouldn't understand it and you wouldn't do it.

I want to be sad for you, but I can't.

You see, I came along in January 2007 knowing virtually nothing about this business. And since then, I've outsold you more than 100 to 1...even in a recession. I found this very cool website called Active Rain. And I jumped in and met some really great folks. And I've learned from them. And I know how to blog now. And I draw business because of my ability to dominate on the internet while you are still invisible. And I have Real Estate friends nationwide and locally that you will never know because you will never understand how Real Estate connectivity works via the internet.

I want to be sad for you, but I can't.

Instead, you inspire me to never quit learning and to never throw in the towel and say, "I can't learn that or do that because I'm too old." As much as I'd love to be sad for you, I really have to thank you. You are keeping me driven, young and profitable.

I want to be sad for you, but I can't.

My listings are now syndicated, blogged and visible to the world while you don't have any any more. (Disclaimer - I don't have THAT many listings either as I work with more buyers than sellers). When I get a listing, my pictures, marketing and abilty to push a listing out to the world is like an Indy car speeding around the track while you're crawling around the track at 10 mph. No wonder sellers are turning to people like me now.

Finally, I want to be sad for you, but I can't.

You simply shake your head in wonder when I'm on Facebook staying connected with thousands of people. And you still have no clue what the word "Tweet" actually means. It's like I"m speaking a foreign language to you, which I guess I am. You will never understand how Social Media is an intrigal part of Real Estate because you chose to check out instead of embracing the new business model in order to keep making money.

Thank you and enjoy your magazine...I've got some money to make today.

Online Advertising

Denise Thornberry Slade (Diane Design Home Staging & Redesign) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:57:13 -0700

Savvy Realtors know that the Internet continues to play a larger and more useful role in our daily lives. Consumers are enthusiastic and loyal visitors to local Web sites. It only stands to reason, then, that potential buyers shop the Internet first. Realtors that keep their Web sites showing beautiful photos of their home listings do the following:

RAISE AWARENESS AND REINFORCE THEIR OVERALL MARKETING EFFORTS.
REACH A HIGHLY EDUCATED, HIGH-INCOME AUDIENCE.
ADD FREQUENCY AND INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS TO THEIR IN-PRINT NEWSPAPER PROMOTIONS.
EXPAND GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES OF ADVERTISING.
REACHES POTENTIAL BUYERS DURING THE WORKDAY WHEN BUERS MAKE PLANS TO VISIT HOMES IN THE EVENING.
OFFERS THE ABILITY TO LINK TO THEIR WEB SITE WHICH ALLOWS REALTORS TO PROVIDE MUCH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION THAN IS AVAILABLE IN TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING.
ADVERTISES THEIR LISTING ON THE INTERNET FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST OF CONVENTIONAL ADVERTISING METHODS.
ALLOWS REALTORS TO UPDATE PRICES, OPEN HOUSE EVENTS AND PHOTOS IN MINUTES RATHER THAN HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT NEWSPAPER PRINTING.
INCLUDES COLOR at no extra charge!

As a Professional Realtor, don't miss the golden opportunities that the Internet provides. Make sure all of your listing are presented in the best light by hiring a Professional Stager. Remember, emotion plays a huge part in a buyer's decision. And staging is the best return on investment when marketing your listing!

what seems to be the problem?

Denise Thornberry Slade (Diane Design Home Staging & Redesign) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:16:51 -0700

I have been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to get home sellers to stage their homes. In this terrible market, with buyers in complete control, why would you put your house on the market "as is"? At least pick up the place! I have seen so many photos with dishes in the sink, dogs laying around, laundry draped across the floor, toiletries out on display-like none of that matters! This is a beauty contest people! Your house has to be priced right and look great to get it sold. Please let me help! Staging is an inexpensive way to advertise. Vacant homes look cold and uninviting. Putting a few pieces of furniture and accessories perk up the place and make much nicer photos for the Internet (where 85% of home buyers shop first). Do you really like paying two mortgages or waiting and waiting for someone to walk through the door who might try to figure out how they could live in your house with all your stuff? Hasn't this concept of staging, de-cluttering, lightening and brightening been around long enough that everyone knows by now...marketing sells! And by the way, exterior only photos or no photos at all? Please.