Home : Blogs : Margaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty Baltimore, Md. : Margaret's Blog

Do You Have A Unique Number?

Thursday, August 03, 2006

What's In a Number?

When I first got into the business, I learned that you need to do something to make yourself stand out. If you notice, almost ALL listings end in 000, 500, or 900. I chose to make my listings more visible by using a unique number in each one.

Back then I was driving my little dream car, a Porsche 944, and I began using this number on my first listing. I loved my 944, and I love 944 - now I use it on all my listings. When you look down a column of listings or sales and they end with 944...yep, those are mine.

Porshe 944

I once went on a listing appointment but chose not to work with that seller - he wanted full service for a no-service commission. A short time later, I got a call from an agent asking if I was a partner of agent "X." When I asked why, I was told he was using "my" number. He took my "rejected" listing but used my suggested price ending in 944. When I spoke to that agent, he told me that I could NOT own a number. I just thanked him because I was getting calls from other agents about this property, but they only wanted "my" listings! He changed the sales price in the MLS that same day. And 944 is still "my" number.

I find that the number gets noticed by lenders and title attorneys as well as other agents. If you go to http://www.realtor.com/ and put in my zip code, 21209, pictures of 4 "Featured Homes" will come up; one will always be mine. How can you tell which one? Now you know...because it ends with "944."

Next time you take a listing, try making the price a unique number - one that means something to you - and see what happens!

www.HomeRome.com

Posted by Margaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty Baltimore, Md. on 08/04/2006 07:20 AM

Comments (21)

Using a Special Number in the ActiveRain Channel

944, unique number, realtorcom, full service, noservice commission, mls, 21209, featured homes, my number

Originally posted at: Margaret Rome's Blog: Do You Have A Unique Number?

This post has been included in Maryland Information
Post is included in group: ABC's of Real Estate Marketing
Post is included in group: Internet Lead Generation-How Best To Capture Your Audience
Post is included in group: Online Marketing Help Center
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You

21 Comments on Do You Have A Unique Number?

AUG

2006

Margaret, That is very interesting. I would have never though of that as a way to make listings stand out. I may have to try that. Now I have to think of a number. That will give me something to ponder today thanks!

Margaret, the baltimore real estate queen, how are you? wow, I really tried it, went to realtor.com, put in your zip code and BAM: the second featured property was yours! GO 944! Very interesting.. now come up with an interesting way for me to advertise myself as a loan officer.. that is very creative! TWO BIG THUMBS UP, WAYYYYY UP for margaret! As a big time Marketing guy, i loved that blog! marked it as YES for interesting!

Always,

Nima

www.MyNima.com

Great tip, Margaret! We will do this. But, coming from you, it's no surprise. You are full of good tips.

I am so glad you guys liked this idea. You made my day. My wonderful husband and I keep track of how many days we have been married. Yesterday the number was 13,944 days... yep there is my number again.. and I decided to blog about it. I have found an easy way to keep track of the days. Let me know if you want me to share this.

Baltimore,Md

DEC

2006

Margaret- what a great, unique way to stand out from the crowd. I truly believe it is the litttle things that make one stand out. Hmm. How to figure out a number for what I love.... :)

DEC

2006

Debi, Welcome to Active Rain! Let me know if you need any help. We love newbies here! You might want to consider your birthdate as your special number. It will also help others not forget your special day. If you use it consistently, it will become "your" number.

DEC

2006

Thank you for the welcome. There is so much information here, I am soaking it up like a sponge. (and spending a lot of time here....) I like the birthday idea. 729 (month and day) or 771 (month and year). Thanks again.

Think the 729 is a better choice. You will need to explain your numbers to your sellers. After 20-30 years, you may not want your year out there. My daughter Erica is about your age www.EricaRome.com

Enjoy Active Rain and your new number. Now just use it ALL the time. Happy New year!

JAN

2007

Thanks again! 729 it is. :)

Let me know how it works for you.

www.homerome.com

SEP

2008

Margaret - that is so clever. And clearly it has the desired effect. I have a couple thoughts on numbers I am going to try.

Jeff

SEP

2008

Margaret,

I don't understand. Does your listing come up on Featured Ad because you paid for it or because of the 944?

You learn something everyday here on Active Rain. I would've never thought of that Margaret. I might just try that. Thanks for sharing.

Very interesting!! I have seen few list price with odd numbersbut did occur the impact it creates.

SEP

2008

Jeff, Do you realize that this post is 2 years old. I would like to hear your thoughts on numbers.

Brenda, I pay for the zip code on R.com

Lanre, Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if you try it

Ritu, It is a way to set yourself apart.

SEP

2008

Gfreat post - thanks for sharing!

Norma, Thanks for stopping by.

Interesting theory about pricing homes. Not sure I agree, but still it is something to ponder.

Kathy, Glad it got you thinking about it. Would love to hear your pricing "theory".

Hi Margaret,

How cool your number is! I tried a different number on one of my listings (700) for the same reasons you use yours, but it kept confusing me. I need to come up with a better one. :)

JUN

Suzanne, Did you ever come up with a number. You commented back in September of 2008. I am a whole lot of days late.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?