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Time to dust of those Listing Presentations

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors

How long has it been since you've revised your listing presentation?  If you've read my blog, you know that I recently started over in a market more than 2,000 miles away.  Since I have virtually no SOI and can't rely on my wonderful client base to continue to feed me referrals, I've gone back to the basics. 

This weekend I pulled out my old listing presentation in an effort to revise it.  What I discovered was how much things have changed in the last three years!  Not only has my technology been updated but my marketing strategy completely evolved.  I ended up trashing the original and starting from scratch. 

Last night, I started to wonder how long it's been since I've even used a listing presentation.  I don't even remember.  I got so used to working with referral clients that there was virtually no competition for their business.  I was showing up with my listing contract mostly filled out and just running through the basics with my new client.  My "listing presentation" was nothing more than a formality and I was ad-libbing it.  Aren't I in for a big change!

But, I don't think I'm the only one.  With markets slowing down more and more agents that are dusting off those listing presentations.  Competition is getting tougher for all of us.    If you're thinking about going back to using formal listing presentations, please make sure you update it.  Take the time to update your information, your marketing strategy, and of course your graphics!!  Don't use the same old PowerPoint graphics that EVERYONE is using.  You know which ones they are.  Be original!  Show your client that you took the time to really put together a well thought out presentation just for them.  Customize your slides for their home and include their CMA instead of a generic example of a CMA.  Spending an hour to customize your slideshow to their home will make a big impression.  If you're going to do it...do it right!

Happy selling...

Comments (16)

Jeffrey Tumbarello
South West Florida Real Estate Investment Association - Fort Myers, FL
where did you move to Fl or somewhere else?
Jul 23, 2007 04:32 AM
Nicole Kraus
Signature Realty Associates - Dover, FL
Welcome to Florida!  I moved out of town for two years and then came back as well, and yes am using my handy dandy listing presentation folder.  Though it pains me at time to use it, it is a great tool to keep my appointment focused and on track.  Also I cannot agree more that updating is an absolute necessity in this market.  Thanks for sharing!!!
Jul 23, 2007 04:34 AM
Nicole Kraus
Signature Realty Associates - Dover, FL
Welcome to Florida!  I moved out of town for two years and then came back as well, and yes am using my handy dandy listing presentation folder.  Though it pains me at time to use it, it is a great tool to keep my appointment focused and on track.  Also I cannot agree more that updating is an absolute necessity in this market.  Thanks for sharing!!!
Jul 23, 2007 04:34 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH
I moved from California to Florida.
Jul 23, 2007 04:35 AM
New Jersey Real Estate James Boyer Morris, Essex & Union County NJ Realtor
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Real Estate - Morristown, NJ
I redid mine in Feb, after moving just 120 miles from Delaware to New Jersey.  So far it is 100% spot on.  every listing presentation has been a done deal.  Now if I could just get more of those pesky listing presentations.
Jul 23, 2007 04:38 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH
Thanks for the welcome Nicole.  It's good to be back in Florida (this is the third time I've lived in FL).  I completely forgot to mention that it's a good way to stay on track!  When we are feeling comfortable with our client we do tend to let the conversation drift and a formal presentation (either using your laptop or a binder) helps ensure that we cover all topics.  Thanks for the reminder!
Jul 23, 2007 04:39 AM
Phyllis M. Scarberry, P.A.
EWM Realtors - Weston, FL

I've been selling real estate for 18 years and have never used a slide show presentation.  Help!

I wouldn't even know where to start.  Great idea at this time in the market to revise your presentation.

 

Jul 23, 2007 04:40 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH
Congrats James!  You're obviously on the right track.  Best of luck in obtaining more of those listing presentations.
Jul 23, 2007 04:40 AM
Marcus Valdez
Berkshire Hathaway Rocky Mountain Realtors - Fort Collins, CO
my listing presentation rules.  i have only lost once with it (and to be fair to the listing packet we should have won, it was a relo company i have never worked with and i came in 2 weeks after the other agent who had worked with them many times before.)  a good listing packet can make you look much more professional.  it is also a great check list for you to use when marketing the property and a good accountability tool so you can make sure your doing all that you promise your clients in your packet you will do.
Jul 23, 2007 04:41 AM
Jeffrey Tumbarello
South West Florida Real Estate Investment Association - Fort Myers, FL
welcome back to Fl, what made you move here? Again?
Jul 23, 2007 04:45 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH

Phyllis - Think about the natural progression of your informal presentation and make an outline.  That is the best way to start.  Mine covers (in this order):

  • A brief history of the company
  • Our awards for customer service
  • Our commitment to community service
  • Our company's services
  • Our overall marketing/advertising
  • My customized marketing/advertising
  • My customized services

When using my Easel Binder instead of the laptop, I print out the PowerPoint notes page with my talking points and slide it behid the previous page, so that I don't have to peer around the binder.  I can talk from behind it and still stay on track.

Jul 23, 2007 04:47 AM
Angie Vandenbergh
Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN
A Crye-Leike Blogger
Hi - Not sure if you saw this, but I wanted to share here just in case you missed it. This post was featured in the Active Rain Week in Review for July 23rd - July 29th. Congratulations on writing a great post!
Jul 30, 2007 12:18 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH
Angie - Thanks for stopping by to let me know! 
Jul 30, 2007 03:32 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK
Rebecca, excellent post and a good read.  Thanks for writing it.
Jul 31, 2007 12:16 AM
Debbie Cook
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc - Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring and Takoma Park Maryland Real Estate
When the market changed - I pulled out my old listing presentation (from the down market we had in 1991-1998) Low and behold this old listing presentation makes perfect sense again, except for big changes in the way we advertise, use technology and stage now.  All the other points that were valid for that market are valid again today. Who would have thought? I am glad I kept it - I almost threw it away in 2002! 

I was doing the same as you with my presentation only a couple of years ago (practically no presentation whatsoever - just a Half filled out listing agreement and a CMA with "the sky's the limit on the price) NOT SO EASY NOW!  
Aug 01, 2007 12:53 AM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH

Debbie - It's not so easy but getting back to the basics can be good for all of us!  Going through my listing presentation showed me that there are areas where I've made great improvements and I should highlight those with my clients.  Best of luck to you.

Aug 02, 2007 10:43 AM