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Do you use Color brochures?

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions"

One of the key questions always asked by sellers is do you use brochures?  I happen to use them, other Realtors have a theory to not use them.  I find brochures add interest on the buyers part and make the sellers feel like you are doing the minimum expected.  I add a twist to my usage of brochures.  I put a few key photos, I use a toll free 800# for buyers to listen to a audio tour and find out the asking price, I direct buyers to my website for a virtual tour.  I only put a price range on my brochures.  Brochures are a key part of my marketing plan but not the only part of the plan.

My brochures are laser printed, ink-jet brochures turn into water colors!

Brochures yes, Key, yes the only method? NO.  I use a wide range of methods to market my clients properties.  Realtors know their markets and use marketing methods to insure their clients are noticed by buyers.

My goal is to create interest in any property I represent.  I find the brochure is one way to create interest.  Layout of the brochure is key, photos, brief descriptions of the primary property features, contact numbers, website virtual tour locations generate calls from buyers.  Your brochure can create interest too.  Good luck with your marketing methods.

 

Michelle Spalding
Transaction Management Consultants - Waco, TX
Time and Money Saving Solutions for Savvy Realtors
Gary  - here's a reminder for everyone reading, if they aren't good at brochure design hire someone else.  Many Realtors are great sales persons, skilled at valuing property, but.....not so good at generating marketing pieces. 
May 28, 2007 12:45 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!
Thanks Michelle, I have a degree in marketing coupled with a computer science degree....I tend to forget that issue.  Thanks for the reminder.  The doing is going to generate more business.  Thanks for the comment.
May 28, 2007 08:58 AM
Kristine McFadden
Keller Williams Heritage - New Braunfels, TX

Gary,

I do and one pleasant thing it does (if you are very busy) is weed out property calls from people who might not be able to afford the home.  I had a home that was $499,900 and when I was out of flyers I got tons of calls from people who were shocked by the price.  But when I had them there I got few calls except the all important call from the Future Buyer who eventually purchased the home for $465,000!

Another side effect- maybe pleasant or unpleasant depending on how you look at it is that sellers will call you more to let you know when they are empty.  I think it's a great way to prove your responsiveness to your seller but be prepared to get them there quickly because you have raised their expectations and they DO NOT want to wait!

One pet peeve I have is that agents put flyer boxes on properties and never fill them, I am guilty of this too but it makes you look worse than if you'd never put the box out in the first place. 

May 28, 2007 09:06 AM
Endea Thibodeaux
Lanham, MD
Solar Energy Consultant, CDPE, CLHMS
I will have to look at putting color brochures in my boxes.  I usually use black and white.
May 28, 2007 11:56 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Endea, as a fellow RECS member....color will increase your professionalism in the eyes of the seller and buyers.  This also give you more separation from the average agent.  I just hired an agent for one of my properties in a state I am not licensed to sell and she photo copied the MLS page and that was the brochure!....black and white I might add.  I must admit she did attach a copy of the floor plan drawing.  Of course I provided that floor plan!  I interviewed, asked the questions and received the answered I wanted to hear..no results and no action after the listing.  I do so much the brochure is just part of the process and self promotion I use.  Thanks for the comment.

May 28, 2007 12:14 PM