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Helping Mr.& Mrs. FSBO

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Shoreline New Hampshire & Maine

Do you try to help Mr. & Mrs. FSBO in your real estate practice???

fsbobanner#.gif (8039 bytes)

According to the latest NAR stats FSBOs are in more need of our help now than ever before.

http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2006/hmbuyersellersurvey06.html

"Only 13 percent of sellers conducted transactions without the assistance of a real estate professional in 2005, and 39 percent of those FSBO transactions were "closely held" between parties who knew each other in advance, up from 32 percent in 2004. The FSBO market share was at 14 percent in both 2003 and 2004. NAR began tracking the FSBO market in 1981; the record was 20 percent in 1987."

I offer a FSBO listing service on my website which is designed to make me Mr. Nice Guy to Mr. & Mrs. FSBO and give me 'top of mind' awareness when they come to the realization the odds are against them selling on their own and decide it's time to call in a professional.

http://www.knoxvillemls.com/fsbo.htm

is typically good for 2-5 listings every year with very little effort on my part. In fact the majority of FSBOs I've put on there have contacted me and asked to be included; they even take their own photos and write their own ad copy.

Here's just a little copy from my FSBO page:

"Why would a successful Realtor offer such a service you may ask? 

It's very simple. I know from my many years of experience in the real estate profession that not everyone that tries to sell on their own are successful and a significant number eventually end up hiring a Realtor to get the job done for them. 

By offering you this free, no obligation service now I hope to have the opportunity to earn your business should you choose to hire a Realtor to help get your home sold.

As an experienced real estate professional I have all the tools, knowledge, and education to get the job done for you and to get your home sold as quickly as possible at the best price."

Posted by

Jim Lee , REALTOR®, Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

http://JimLee.com  RE/MAX Shoreline

100 Market St., Suite #200, , Portsmouth, NH 03801 Phone: (603) 431-1111 x3801

Visit New Hampshire Maine Real Estate.com to search homes, get Seacoast area information, and find out how great living on the New Hampshire and southern Maine Seacoast really is.

 

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Maureen Francis
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel - Bloomfield Hills, MI
Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel

Jim,

You are so generous in sharing your great ideas.  I've tried this too, but not with anywhere near your success.  I need to revisit my web page to see about doing it better. 

Oct 18, 2006 09:06 PM
Linda Davis
RE/MAX Home Team - Gales Ferry, CT
Excellent idea!   I have bookmarked this one for sure.  Thanks for sharing it.
Oct 18, 2006 10:41 PM
The MyHomeHouston Team
Keller Williams Realty - Houston, TX
I've touched on this a tiny bit, but I'm hoping to implement it like you have!  Thanks for sharing your experience with the FSBO market.
Oct 19, 2006 01:19 AM
GA-agent.com Georgia Real Estate Directory
GA-agent.com - Canton, GA

Jim, this is a great idea and I wanted to thank you for sharing it.

 -James

Oct 19, 2006 01:28 AM
Dan Grammatica
Realty Experts, LLC - Torrington, CT
e-PRO

I'm not quite sure about this as I'm the Broker and not sure what my agents will think. But some of my best clients have been FSBO's turned clients. I'm celebrating a 20 years since I've known this client (former FSBO) who is a developer and had several lots for sale in the mid 80's and was selling By Owner but finally he came around and listed and we've been good friends for 20 years now. FSBO are people too. If your businees card is on their table ...you got a chance, because their going to pick from the agents have contacted them or the ones they can remember, such as yourself.

Great Post.

Oct 19, 2006 01:30 AM
Bonnie Erickson
Tangletown Realty - Saint Paul, MN
This is the value added piece to your site, Jim.  Besides there is the emotional "guilt" involved with taking advantage of your kindness.  They should give you the business then, don't you think?  It's a great idea, but I've not yet figured out if it's my niche!
Oct 19, 2006 03:10 AM
Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
definately something to look into. I never thought about it. Thanks
Oct 19, 2006 05:26 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude
I have not offered your type of service on my site, but have started contacting FSBOs and sending a series of letters, starting with an offer of assistance for free with the hope of gaining their business should they not be successful. I offer suggestions on marketing (but don't give away trade secrets, of course), advertising, show them a sample feature sheet that I can prepare (with a phot of the outside of THEIR house that I have taken, suggest ways to improve the salability of their home, etc. Not much luck yet but hope that perseverance will pay off. I think the on-line service could be a plus so will give that a try. Thanks for sharing!  :)
Oct 19, 2006 05:59 AM
Steven Holcomb
Keller Williams Realty - Plano, TX
Esq. - BBA, JD, GRI

I like your idea of having a special FSBO section on your web site.  I am going to look at incorporating that into my web site as well.  Thanks for the idea.

Steve H.

Oct 19, 2006 08:49 AM
Kandra Hamric
Hamric Enterprise, LLC - Canton, MI

Hi Jim,

   It is always a great idea to be FSBO friendly. I have done many things for agents. One campaing that went over well for FSBOs- We sent them a post card telling them we would be happy to come take a professionaly photographed Virtual Tour to be hosted on the ineternet - (of course it was on the agents site). We recieved a lot of calls from this and did turn some FSBOs into listings.

Virtually,
Kandra Hamric
www.AssistantForRealEstate.com

Oct 19, 2006 01:17 PM
Victoria Marton
RE/MAX Classic Group - Lebanon Twp, NJ
Your Hunterdon County Realtor

Hi Jim,

My webmaster is working on a FSBO site for me.  If you don't mind, I'm going to send him your copy.  Look great!  Thanks for sharing!

Vickie Marton

www.WebHouseTour.com

Oct 19, 2006 01:44 PM
Suzanne Marriott
Keller Williams Arizona Realty - Anthem, AZ
Associate Broker, CLHMS, e-PRO
I usually ask Mr. and Mrs. FSBO why they have a "Realtor Wanted" sign in their yard, and if I can be of help!
Oct 19, 2006 03:23 PM
Michael DeMello
Prudential Locations LLC - Honolulu, HI
CRS, ABR, CDPE, e-Certified

Very interesting.  Need to read this again in the morning. 

Haha dont ask...

Oct 19, 2006 10:02 PM
Derek and Mariana Wagner
The Artisan Group- Keller Williams Premier Realty - Colorado Springs, CO
The Artisan Group - Colorado Springs REALTORS®

Suzanne... HA! HA!

Jim~ Thank you for sharing... I may have to look into that more closely. 

Oct 20, 2006 02:00 AM
Leo Namiot - LeoLends.com
Canopy Mortgage - Leo Namiot - Saint Augustine, FL
More than just great rates
The FSBOs are a great place to get new leads, not trying to hard sell for the listing but to offer a hand.
Oct 20, 2006 02:31 AM