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Pay it Forward with Balloons!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Dagny's Real Estate

Pay it Forward with Balloons!


Open Houses -

Do you use balloons to call attention to your signs?
 
When you use balloons, they wave at folks as they drive by - calling out, "Come look at my sign, and follow me!"     My balloons in Wilton CT are always effectively blowing in the breeze .....

Do you use balloons to hand to the kids as they come in the door? 

Kids love nothing more to be the center of attention before their parents, and ....   the parents never mind it when you go straight to the kids!   A balloon gives the kids something constructive to do while the parents concentrate on the house.   Otherwise, the parents spend the whole time saying, "Don't touch anything!"    And, guess which house the family will remember later when they talk about the day?

Do you use balloons to "  guide the way"   through obscure winding paths?

Is that condominium way down that path at the end, but with a fabulous view?   How to let your prospects know to "Just keep coming, you are almost there!"  and, "This is worth it - come on down!"

Do you use balloons to "  guide the way"   to a front door that has no walk?

How many homes have a great entrance once you are inside, and no walk to get there from the outside?   Line the "walk" with balloons, and encourage folks to come in the right way. 

Now, that that great successful Open House is over,    ---   What do you do with your balloons?

balloonsPay it Forward with Balloons!



Do you pop them, as I used to, as I picked each one up?   or do you try to pay it forward?

I now just pick each up, and on my way back through town, take them to the local market, and hand them to each kid I see on my way through.   They are always sooo excited, and their parents are surprised and pleased!   I always save several for my neighbors' kids - attach them to their mailboxes, and then send a text with the subject line - 

" Balloons!"   They always are thrilled!  

My balloons served many great purposes during that busy Sunday, and hopefully, gave some kids a pick me up at that bewitching hour of 4:30 in the afternoon.     Someone else will pay it forward in another fashion, because this always gets contagious - be nice, and make someone smile, and  then they smile at someone else!


Pay it Forward with Balloons!

LaNita Cates
REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL

Cute blog! I use balloons on my signs but that is it. I never thought to give them to the kids when they walk in the open house though. Good idea!

Nov 15, 2010 12:35 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Nice idea.  To many agents leave them tied to the sign to wilt and look pathetic.  Handing them out makes perfect sense as I don't know any child who doesn't love a balloon.

Nov 15, 2010 12:36 AM
Judy Klem
Transition Stage LLC - Shelton, CT
Home Staging, Senior Move Management, Fairfield/New Haven counties

Hi Dagny - Great idea!  I always really hate when I see those leftover balloons left sagging. Your ideas make everyone smile and make great marketing sense.

Nov 15, 2010 12:46 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Hi Dagny, we don't see too many balloons out especially at this time of year. The chill in the air makes them deflate and that looks poor. I can't even remember the last time a couple with kids came through an Open House. The parents come in with one intention, and that's to look at the house without the distractions of the kids, and even the attending agent. Nice post.

Nov 15, 2010 12:47 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

LaNita - What a cute name you have!    Kids do love balloons!   Law of nature ......

Cindy - Kids are an easy target when it comes to attention and love!

Nov 15, 2010 12:47 AM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Great idea passing out the balloons Dagny.  Guess I should go get some extra balloons.

Nov 15, 2010 12:48 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Al - It's always a hit!

Nov 15, 2010 12:49 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Dagny - you certainly get a lot of mileage out of your balloons ..... do they have any advertising on them or are they just plain balloons.

Nov 15, 2010 02:47 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Kathy - At the moment, they are just plain balloons - but, maybe there's an idea there!!!!

Nov 15, 2010 02:55 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Dagny.....Balloons on signs are real attention getters - but giving them to children and using them to guide the way are great tips.

Nov 15, 2010 03:28 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Carra - It all should be fun, and balloons help make it fun ...  if buyers do not have a good time, they start to feel like it is a lot of work - UGH!

Nov 15, 2010 03:53 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dagny that is a great idea, but I can just see it now a male Realtor in the early Spring or Fall giving out balloons to kids, and the parents asking the child "who gave you that balloon?"  The child responds "mommy it was that man in the rain coat over there".  Guess what happens next ............. LOL

Nov 15, 2010 12:36 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Awwwww George - I am so sorry that you feel that way!   It's alll in how it's done - including you gentlemen!

Nov 15, 2010 03:04 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Awwwww George - I am so sorry that you feel that way!   It's alll in how it's done - including you gentlemen!

Nov 15, 2010 03:05 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Dagny  Balloons are illegal here in Northern Virginia - too many agents released them in the air.  Your thought is excellent for your community and I did hit the button - it is an excellent pay it forward gesture

Nov 16, 2010 07:12 AM
Cara Marcelle Mancuso
Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ
Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Another great example of how the little things can add up to mean so much...great post!

Nov 16, 2010 03:35 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Karen - Thanks!  so sorry they are illiegal in VA

Cara - It's all in what keeps the mood good for all .....

Nov 16, 2010 11:21 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Dagny, I guess I would just be echoing the above but I certainly like the givem to the kids idea as then they will focus on the balloon instead of "Can We Go Now".

Nov 17, 2010 03:46 AM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

yes i agre ballons can work with the kiddies allright

Aug 21, 2012 11:54 PM