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Views from a Chilliwack Real Estate Kiosk - The Rhythm of the Mall

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Real Estate Agent

Our office now has a Kiosk in Cottonwood Mall. Yep 14 of us Realtors pay to sit for a couple of hours 2 or 3 times a week to meet and greet ~ I've always enjoyed people watching...but who has time these days other then at a stoplight?

Well here I sit, nestled between Cobbs Bakery where I get to inhale the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread...

                        

And the Flight Centre - where there's a huge map of the world and I get to fantasize where I would like to put a pushpin next.

                 

And the rest of the time I get to talk about Real Estate - and who doesn't like to talk about Real Estate?  The people come, and they pause and watch our Two Big Screen T.V.'s with scrolling images of our office listings.

They pause to talk about prices, market conditions, mortgages, and sometimes about 'their Realtor' who currently has their home for sale. Just to make sure they have their home priced right and doing everything they should :-)

Other then that...there are the babies in buggies, young love strolling hand in hand and oh did I tell you there's a Chatters Hair Salon across the way too? I get to watch the ladies walk in and then see the Big Reveal when they walk out! :-)

There's also the mother and teenage daughter who like to discuss household chores a decibel too loud. The guy that tells his girlfriend its ok to go into another shoe store :-)  I watch the tanned and leggy 20 somethings and remember when.  The guys with the 'black socks' and sandals......The elderly pushing their walkers in a painfully slow rhythm. The retiree who likes to tell me about his tools (no really) and how many air miles he's collected.

Fat, skinny, young, old, loud, silent....The Rhythm of the Mall.

And maybe...just maybe....one day I'll sell a house :-)

 

 

  

                                             

 

If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.     

Copyright © 2009 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. All photos by Liz Moras(except the one of Claire). All information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive.  It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Landmark Realty Chwk. Ltd..   

                               

 

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Anonymous
Greg Cook

Liz, if the past is any indicator of the future, the kiosk will probably give you more time to hone your blogging skills than it will customers.

Our company paid for a "huge" kiosk in a local mall in Southern California (verrry expensive!Thousands $$$ each month) during the greatest Real Estate boom ever. The mall required it be manned from open to close or there was a fine, so it became a logistical nightmare as time passed.

Even though we were a lender, we offered Realtors the chance to man the booth with us and promote their properties, meet and greet, in short take advantage of the huge amounts of traffic that passed through there. The excitement level at first was through the roof! As time passed "not so much"

Results? Over a three year period, ZERO, ZIP, NADA. Not one transaction that could be tied directly to our presence.

Lesson learned? The most effective marketing is that which reaches people where they are looking for your product or service? Does anyone say? "I'm thinking about buying or selling a house, I think I'll go to the mall."

Hope you have better results than we did (by the way we were right across from Cinnabon and Hot Dog on a stick)

Aug 17, 2009 05:16 AM
#107
Cynthia (CJ) Sleppy
Cynthia J Sleppy Real Estate - Medford, OR

I too have done "kiosk time" and both love & hate it!  While it doesn't necessarily produce a lot of "hot leads", it is an awesome ooportunity to listen to what people are saying (both directly to you and to others when they don't realize you can hear what they are saying) and thinking about the market.  Most importantly, you can learn about how their various agents are doing (not for individual judgement but rather like taking a market survey).  It provides a very non-invasive way to learn what peole like about what agents may be doing and what they may not like.  The information shared in casual conversation is usually more useful because they aren't as guarded as they are when asked questions directly.  This allows fine tuning of your business practice and that can result in an overall increase in your business. 

The quiet inactivity of the mall kiosk can provide the time to blog, which in the course of conversation with someone could be mentioned ("...on my blog, I have noticed...", "I was just writing about....", "You might be interested in reading what others are saying about on my blog...") which of course gets you more exposure and a possible opportunity to build a future relationship with that casual contact at the mall or their friends and family.

Good luck and enjoy the experience!

Aug 17, 2009 07:55 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Cynthia - I have done kiosks before and you're right! It can be a love hate relationship ~ the 'opportunities' you  list are oh so true! Its wise to note that there are passive gains to be made in the process.  Its all in how you look at it!  Thanks so much for sharing :-)

Greg - its great to see yours and Cynthia's comments side by side - because they do provide the 2 sides of the coin.  We dton't have internet service - so unfortuately I haven't been able to blog - not to say - that I haven't been able to hone ideas in my mind - like this post! I find often people/realtors may not want to do something if it doesn't provide immediate 'gratification'. And thats not typically how things happen here.  I like what Cynthia said - it gives us an opportunity to get to know the public better - and listen to their opinions and concerns - and have our finger on the pulse! :-)

Aug 17, 2009 09:37 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Oh and Greg - I don't believe the go to the mall with the intention of talking 'real estate'......what I believe in is 'timing' - emotive responses - and spontaneity!  And people will make unplanned decisions based on any all of those points at times :-)

Aug 17, 2009 09:39 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Brittany - I'm sure there will be some sequels - thanks! :-) Rob - you'll do great!  I know you'll make it work - who wouldn't be drawn to you? :-) Cynthia B - you're so cute - it does provide a minor distraction when things are slow - thats true :-) Rebecca- oh temptation temptation its everywhere eh :-) Thanks!

Aug 17, 2009 09:42 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Susan thats sweet thanks!  We get people stopping all the time - hmmm it must be the big screen tv's! :-)

Kathy O ) people don't go to the mall to 'talk real estate' they go to the mall AND Oh Bonus there's a real estate kiosk - lets go see what for sale! :-)

Heather - hmm i have to admit i did have my second scone this week! ;(

Debra - I'll definitely be celebrating when I have my first (on here!) 5 hrs to a Mall? Probably a good thing, lol

Lana - For sure I will - thanks!

Brenda - outdoors? Hmm now that might be an idea - but cool air conditioned year around might be better?  thanks for sending on this post! :-)

Aug 17, 2009 09:50 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Randy - I will for sure ! ;-) Thanks ginger- I promise to!  :)l Rene- you could have something novel there - who knows - we don't use tite people here - our lawyers do all that. Hey Tana - boy are we ever overdue for that coffee! bonnie - here it isn't uncommon - usually one per mall - in this case they never signed an exclusivity lease so there happens to be two - although the other one is seldom manned so guess where the people come? :-)

Aug 17, 2009 10:03 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

tisha - i've never seen one with a tv before ours but maybe!

christopher and stephanie - I think you're right - and it is fun!

 

Aug 17, 2009 10:12 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Hal I like your goodies idea - and you are right - thats the thing with real estate - you never know where and when your next client will come!

Roland - why is that?  I can see he might have exclusive rights now in the mall - but the trade show?

Christine it depends on what your investment is - whether is worth taking the chance - ours was not that much - $200 to buy in then $100 a month?

Barbara -its true there is the'company' aspect and then there is the individual 'realtor'.....even with a well known company - i'd still do this if i had the opportunity.:-)

Aug 17, 2009 10:12 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Kerry - I think it is - and I do believe the potential is definitely there - the thing is - what else would you be doing with your time - if you are solidly booked with buyers from morning to evening then maybe you don't need to give something like this a try.......but if not?  well....:-)

Damon -there you go!  Love the positive attitude!

Steve - photos? thanks :)

Jennifer - you're right I'm sure it'll bring all kinds of things :-)

Gary you sit in the food court while your wife shops? lol - why do you go? :-)

Aug 17, 2009 10:19 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Jeff - I think theres both - there will always be the casual talkers but one it a while there will be someone serious as well! It really is just another way of prospecting.

Patricia - Absolutely - my thoughts exactly! :-)

Dan and Amy - thanks for the pat on the back :-)

Barb  S.  -we have a sears around the corner too - but i think its better being in the mall close to an major entrance -)

Michele -you're right there is way more traffic then at an open house or floor duty. :-)

Hello Svetlana - nice to meet you - and thank you! :-)

Carla - Dang I didn't know Greg had a contest about that! :-)

Nunzio - you're so right!  And its great that you took the initiative to set up a table at a store entrance - very cool!

Aug 17, 2009 10:26 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Oh Rita - I don't think its like ads on shopping carts -you're a real live person they get to interact with and build rappore - sone once they met will come back again and again -or call your name acros the hall just to say hi.  I believe long term it will be a good thing - the bakery........ummm not so much! ;-)

Elizabeth - i look forward to the contacts too -thanks!

Pat - No I don't think its crazy at all! :-)

Sharon - Cobbs is a bakery chain - you don't have them in the States?

Yes Jason - exactly we work on a rotation - 4 shifts a day - 14 realtors $100/mo so not to bad -cost of 1 1/8th of a page ad in the local paper for 1 week!

Phil - I think you're so right - you never know when someone will remember you - and its a nice brea from the usual routine :-)

Jane -Ithink if might be a bit more popular up here then down there :-)

Thanks so much Christianne - me too! :-)

Gary W - i think for it to be at all effective it really should be manned -otherwise you might as well just have a bus bench (which i happen to have too ...hmmm) :-)

Charles - its not a free ride -but I can't see how it couldn't be a benefit over the long term! :-)

Aug 17, 2009 10:42 AM
Liz Moras Migic
Chilliwack, BC
Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Sharon S - thanks for subscribing!  I have several clients so far - just nothing under contract yet :-)

Jeannie - thanks so much - Well - i'll tell you my bus bench costs me more then that - and this definitely gets more immediate results.  Here the real estate companies don't pay for anything.........we independent contractors...........also you'd wrinkle your nose if you knew how much less we get in commission then you guys do! :-)

David C - $200 down and $100month - and it is better then Floor duty! :-)

Carole - yes - putting a face to a voice can be powerful! Thanks!

Patrick - I've had booths at 'fairs' before and they're great.  You have a draw for something and get people to put their name and e-mail in for the draw - and you get to add them to your data base - and they get a wonderful prize - and Realtor! :-)

Jeanni - Yeah its great- i should pay them! - Hey I am paying them! lol

Andrew - yes if you get to chat with people at the same time!

Anna - Well we shall see - I'm thinking it will be good :-)

 

thanks for all the comments - and the feature! :-)

 

Aug 17, 2009 10:48 AM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

We don't have a mall or a kiosk - clever ideas.  But, we maintain a presence at the local coffee shop and bakery.  With WiFi, it is our second office.

Aug 18, 2009 03:26 PM
Barbara Reagan
Long & Foster Realtors - Richmond, VA
Your Richmond Home Realtor

Hi Liz,

Keep working at it.  When I got into the real estate business in 1996, I had just moved to Richmond by myself (no family), had never lived here, had no friends or family here, etc.  So my choices were to door knock (not comfortable), cold call (couldn't handle the constant hangups) or work a duty desk where very few people walked into the office.  I chose to go to an office which was actually set up in a kiosk in a local mall.  I worked every shift I could - what else did I have to do with my time!  My goal was to walk away with 1 lead a shift, knowing that eventually only about 20% to 25% of those leads would materialize into anything.  13 years later, I have had referrals, repeat business and multiple transactions with people that I met at the kiosk in the mall.  However, many of the people I met there did not begin to do any real estate business with me for 6 months to a year!  So it is a long time before they are ready to do something, but at least I was able to get an address and/or email address & then I just kept them on newsletters, emails, etc. and finally they would begin to trickle in.  So keep at it - it does work!  Right now I am the #3 producing agent in my office of 115 agents!  So it can certainly work!  Good luck to you!

 

Aug 21, 2009 02:55 AM
Louise Henry
Pair Home Design serving Langley, Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack British Columbia - Chilliwack, BC
Home Stager Pair Home Design Chilliwack

Hi Liz

I think the Kiosk is a great idea, not sure if it would work for me, I love the big t.v. screen that you have going for advertising, very effective and a little added value to clients & viewers.

 

Aug 24, 2009 02:34 PM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Liz~I did have an opportunity to work for a company that had a Kiosk at a very busy mall. It was great, if you didn't walk away with 3 good leads you weren't paying attention. I enjoyed reading the other comments, thanks for your post.

Jan 31, 2011 12:03 PM
Anonymous
Jessy Bright


Would this be a good time to pick up something in the real estate sector now that oil prices are going down or to wait and see how far things go?

Search local jobs, http://fonolive.com

Jan 30, 2015 05:57 AM
#124
Anonymous
Dennis LaVergne

I came across this as I was doing some research on the viability of real estate mall kiosks and based on what all of you have shared I am starting to see that I will need to continue and weigh the different aspects of each example. Thanks for your input and feedback.

Oct 02, 2015 07:12 AM
#125
Melissa Kaiza
SC Real Estate Network - Myrtle Beach, SC
Realtor serving the Myrtle Beach area

I am standing at akiosk right now and after two 5 hour shifts last night an tonight only one person has talked to me.  what should i do to get better results?

Apr 30, 2016 09:12 AM
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