Property Fliers or No Property Fliers, thats the question?

I don't like them, they find out what they want and then don't call. But, my sellers like them because all their neighbors use them.

When I see a property that sparks some interest, and there's a flier box, I take one, read it, crumple it up and throw it on the floor of my vehicle.

I don't need to call because all the facts are presented in the flier.

Fliers are nice because they are convenient, however, they do not motivate me to call the agent for more facts on the property.

A flier, if used properly, should leave out some details, and provide a contact number for additional info.

 

Depends on whether you want buyer business or not.  If you do, put the flyers out.  Make the flyer sell the agent as well as the buyer.  If you don't want buyer business, don't use flyers and make them call their agent or you to see the house.

Flyers are free advertising for the agent as well as the agent's listing. 

Harvey,

  Just yesterday I stopped by and picked up a flyer at a beautiful property.  The flyer had select pics of kitchen and LR, it offered the ability to see a 360 degree virtual tour by going to the agents website...I think that seems like a good idea, because if they are truly interested in seeing more they'll log on to your site and you can capture their info there for follow up...

I explained this in George Tallabas' blog last night.  You have to make a flyer that appeals to the masses in order to make it successful.  All of our marketing is geared towards finding a buyer and yes, maybe, JUST MAYBE selling that house!  

I create a personal website for that house and give very little information on the flyer other than one gorgeous exterior shot and they already have seen the outside, because they are picking up the flyer from outside of the house, right?  You want to entice them with very little information so they go to that one link (which will be connected to the rest of your site.)  You want to tease them with "for more pictures and the floorplan, go to www...."

On the back of the flyer, black and white, a short blurb about your listings + other services you do.  I have set up multiple domain names for things like "foreclosures", "rentals", "new construction blah blah blah.  Use WHATEVER is currently attracting whatever clientele base you are looking for right now! 

Limited info is a must on a flier. Photos should be the focus and contact info.

Why not have a flier? With the flier you at least have a chance for the buyer to get your contact info and look over the property info while in front of the home. In the end they will find the info they want on the internet anyway.

I do not use flyers because buyers aren't just aimless driving neighborhoods anymore with the use of the internet.  It's usually the neighborhood kids and the neighbors wanting to know more details.  And then, when the box is empty, you going to drive to the listing every single day to make sure it's full?  Waste of time.  I do use Talking House to entice people to call if they do drive by, but it's more of a listing tool as neighbors think it's cool.

I do put out the 'ole brochure box. My sellers love it. I don't give away too much information, just the basics: bedrooms, baths, price & financing info. The main benefit is that it drives traffic to my website where they can see more information...and I have a better chance of converting them. Also, the buyer knows if they can afford the house right away. They can remain anonymous (you know how they hate to call and have to give out any information over the phone, thus the popularity of the internet). If they do call and want to see it, you know they are really interested in the house. At any rate, the same could be said of any advertising we do, whether it be multiple photos on MLS, realtor.com, craigslist or whatever...we do give out tons of information these days. For better or worse.

HARVEY - Great questions!  I'm curious about the same thing.  I've bookmarked you.  Thanks.

I do use flyers.  They are important to get buyers that have interest to take the next step. They have enough information on them to entice the buyer to take a look if they are serious, but never a price. I make them do some work for that. Either they call me, but mostly they look on the internet. I think that the more senses you get involved from a drive by the more emotions start to get involved too. If they cannot take anything with them, their chances of remembering that house are slim to none with all the inventory out there. DO NOT put the MLS listing in the box. Take the time to prepare a nice flyer with the most enticing information you can include!

Don't give out too much information.  Only show a few photos... a tease.  That way they'll call you.

Don't put too much in a property flyer - only a tease.  That way they'll call you.

Don't put too much on your website - just a tease.  That way they'll call you.

Don't give them the address.  That way they'll call you.

Don't give them the price - that way they'll call you. 

Today's customer wants EVERYTHING.  If you withhold information as a way to control them and force them to call you, I think you're missing the boat.  They'll just move on....   

If you walked into a store and there were no price tags on the merchandise, forcing you to ask a salesperson, most people would walk out.  Why do realtors think this is different? Generally, people don't like salespeople. Today's customer wants to educate themselves, gather information on their own time in their own way, and then WHEN THEY'RE READY, contact a realtor.  If you don't give them the information they're looking for, they'll go elsewhere.

It's a new world in which realtors have lost the control they once had - you give the consumer what they want, or you will probably not be working in real estate for much longer.  The CUSTOMER is now in control.  Things are changing.... 

I was driving by some lots before showing them to my buyers and one had a color flyer.  On it was a full color photo of the agent and a shot of the nearby lake.  There was very little information about the lot itself and the contact info was a phone number.  As an agent I want see some sort of lot dimensions, and maybe a web site to get more info.  I didn't find it very helpful but maybe the consumer would call the agent and turn into a buyer client for that agent.

I agree with not giving away all the info, you want them to visit the web site and call.  However, if you omit the price the thinking is; 'if I have to ask-I can't afford it.' 

A few agents do use the info boxes as do FSBO's in my area maybe I'll try it.

Fred hit it.  If you think you can manipulate a buyer into buying the house... you're wrong.  A serious buyer will call even if the price and pics and floorplan are on the flyer.  Sure, the neighbors are going to pic up one and take it home... and they'll see your name.  If you wowed them with the flyer, maybe they'll keep you in mind.  

I know that some of my buyers look at properties that they are interested in before we go out.  They drive by, pick up a flyer if it is there.  And, the last house I sold was to people that were driving through the neighborhood to see what was there.  It was easier than trying to set up a search.