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Dear Expired Seller

By Brenda Mullen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Associates 574299

July 22, 2011 01:59 AM

Dear Expired Seller,

I know that at this point you may be feeling frustrated and a little apprehensive. You have been through a past few tough months with your Cibolo TX, Schertz TX or Selma TX home on the market just sitting and sitting. You may be confused and concerned about what your next steps should be. Perhaps you are thinking of even throwing in the towel and renting your home although you truly just want to sell so that you can move on with the next phase of your life. Your Realtor® told you the reason that you weren't getting any showings was the bad market but you see that homes are still selling in your neighborhood. What should you do?

Well, first, don't be so quick to give up.

Quick you say?! You have been on the market for six long months with nothing, not a bite...not a nibble. Understood.

We need to first understand what could have gone wrong...if anything. We first look at your home and your neighborhood comps to find out where you are priced at. What are you talking about you may be asking me at this point? If you are...then stop right there...that may be the actual issue. If you haven't had a serious discussion about pricing and where your home is placed market wise for example a Comparative Market Analysis, then you very well may be priced too high for your area.

Perhaps that isn't the case. Maybe you have had several price drops but all you heard was crickets. No showings. If you aren't getting any showings...well first, back to step one. Again, if the price is right then it may be the marketing. Your agent said that putting your home in the MLS (multiple listing service) would likely sell the home. They told you that pricing was everything and the MLS and the yard sign was really all they needed. They also showed your house on Realtor.com. You saw the four pictures yourself. Well...ok. I must tell you that most Realtors® associated with the National Association of Realtors® or NAR get automatic exposure on Realtor.com with their listings. It's a pull from the associated MLSs and shows the basic information such as Brokerage, price and includes the first four pictures that the Realtor® has taken of your home. Buyers in today's market enjoy lots of pictures and descriptions of the home to kind of get an idea if they would like to go and see it. With showcase listings on Realtor.com it allows me to put up to 25 photos and a video and Virtual Tour of your home and generally, the more photos of the listing, the higher on top the listing shows. Do you know what other marketing has been done? Any Realbird, Trulia, Real Estate Shows? No? Well..that could be the issue. With trying to sell Guadalupe Real Estate, marketing is an important part of giving your home the maximum exposure it needs to attract as many buyers as possible.

Did your Realtor® do any type of other internet marketing such as blogging on Active Rain, Trulia or a Wordpress site? What's blogging? Ahhhh...well Dear Expired seller....we may have just found the issue. Are you ready to get your home Sold? Give me a call at 210-807-0819 or visit my website at www.findurwayhome.com and we will get you set right up! Looking forward to hearing from you!

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Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

"Does your Realtor® do any type of other internet marketing such as blogging on Active Rain, Trulia or a Wordpress site? "

Mmmm. If this letter is going to EXPIREDS, wouldn't it say. . .

DID your Realtor do. . . .

EXCELLENT LETTER, BTW! I have always believed that letters to expireds works better than phone calls.

Jul 22, 2011 02:05 AM

Brenda Mullen

RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX

Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Hi Lenn-Thank you so much and you are right....I will change the wording a tad to make it better. I am honored you stopped on by :)!

Jul 22, 2011 02:08 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Brenda....when I paid attention to expired listings, I mailed them a professional brochure along with the cover letter....the brochure was 11"x14" folded to create 4 sides....and it really said it all....that's what got my foot in the door....the direct mail marketing covers all of that now since everyone in town receives it.

Jul 22, 2011 02:14 AM

Hi Barbara-I am actually thinking of visiting them face to face and handing them a letter and brochure. This way I know they got it. I truly believe I can help them sell their home :)! Thanks for visiting!

Jul 22, 2011 02:16 AM

Some basic advertising philosophy -

PUSH: Knock on the door (push) and get your face in theirs. Or, call them on the phone and alienate them with a sales pitch.

VS:

PULL: Get your information in front of them where they can decide if you have what they are seeking, i.e., Google, SEO (the fundamental PULL advertising). Or, send them postal mail that they can review and CONTACT YOU, if your mail pushes a button. If you sound like you have the solution.

This is why direct mail is so successful. Although the number of responses appears to be a small percentage, the actual results in sales is high because once the consumer has your mail, THEY CONTACT YOU.

Jul 22, 2011 03:09 AM

Hi Lenn-I am gathering you are not a fan of door knocking :)? I would personally rather do the PULL marketing as to not be invasive to a potential client. I am guessing I will stick with direct mail with a letter.

Jul 22, 2011 03:15 AM

At least you'll know that, IF you get a response, they are indicating that they are interested in YOUR services.

The key to direct mail to expires is speed. Get them out DAILY and as early as possible.

Jul 22, 2011 04:09 AM

Hi again Lenn-That was the dilema I am facing. It seems like the mail isn't fast enough so I thought if I hand delivered the mail, it may be better. I am not a sales pitchy kind of person, so wouldn't truly do that :). Thanks for your advice Lenn, I truly appreciate it.

Jul 22, 2011 04:15 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

The key to success is marketing. Anyone who is just using the MLS to showcase their listings is not doing what it takes to get a home sold in today's market.

Jul 22, 2011 05:08 AM

Hi Craig-No doubt that marketing plays a huge role in getting the home maximum exposure. Just putting a home on the MLS isn't enough I fear :). Well...I don't really fear as it isn't the only thing I do to get my listings SOLD! Thank you for visiting today :)!

Jul 22, 2011 05:13 AM

George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Brenda it is very frustrating when a property isn't selling. It leads to everyone questioning themselves, and some times rightly so.

Jul 22, 2011 01:25 PM

Hi George-It is frustrating, especially if the seller doesn't know what's going on. Hey...just got inspired for another post :)! I want to let expired sellers know that I understand their frustration but there is a solution :)! Thanks for dropping by!

Jul 22, 2011 01:29 PM

Dear Expired Seller

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