Being a REALTOR gives me a valid excuse to go door knocking. I look forward to "Door Knocking" just as much as I look forward to the time I get to spend with Active Rain. Because I enjoy these two activities so much, I have to discipline myself not to spend too much time with either. I prefer calling "Door Knocking", my "Walk Abouts", because I also look forward to the exercise. If its one of our many beautiful days on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, its easy to slip into a natural high.
I had not been out of door knocking for awhile, so yesterday was my time to get back into it. I had just received a 100 pack of NAR brochures. I attached contact labels on each one as my new business cards are not in yet. Because I was on home turf, I did not wear any logo attire or pins. (If I'm doing a walk about in an unfamiliar neighborhood I will wear a name tag and REALTOR pin so I won't be mistaken for other types of people who "neighborhood").
I choose to do a walk about when I am relaxed and not pressed for time, because with every walk about I encounter at least 1 person that has lengthy needs or information to share. At least 1 household will invite me in to see their home (Yes, I am careful--I have a good 6th sense and I have a host of angels with me at all times:-).
I don't have a ploy. I am very straightforward. I introduce myself and tell them I am a local REALTOR and if they think of someone who could use my services, please mention me. I know, I should be more targeted and say, "Are you thinking of buying or selling? Can you give me names and numbers right now of people who could use my service?" But, I have found that instead of direct interrogation, that information will usually be volunteered after I pass a few tests of their own devise.
Its amazing what you can learn in neighborhoods by doing walk abouts. In the Coastal towns of Mississippi you are most likely to hear tales of rebuild and insurance settlements. You can detect trends, too. Yesterday, 4 out of 6 homes had the elderly mother living with them of which 3 out of 4 of the elderly Moms had lost their homes and the adult children had decided it was time to keep her with them. So, now I'm wondering if its a Long Beach, Mississippi trait or nationwide of having elderly parents move in.
Of 6 homes I chewed the fat with 3 home owners, stopped and dropped with 2. The last home which took up the rest of my time turned out to be an ironic and outrageously funny stop. It began with me walking up and sitting down in the rocking chair on the front porch beside the Matriarch of the household. We chewed the fat about 5 minutes, then the son came out who was the property owner.
I learned that he had been one of the ones who had a full settlement from Allstate. He had gutted to the studs and had spent about $80K in restoring. He invited me in, showing me through the house and the back yard. Then he said he would like a CMA even though he had no intention selling. I told him I would be happy to oblige, but for him to remember that a CMA is not an appraisal and that a problem with our area is finding anything close to compare with, but, I would work on it. In the meantime, while I am doing that, could he work on getting me a couple of people that do intend to buy or sell. He said, "Sure, no problem".
As I was preparing to leave, he said, "Wait a minute. I have a friend moving down in March. He wants to buy modest home and pay cash." So we went back to the kitchen table so I could record the particulars. I wish I could maintain that ratio:-) (For every 6 homes you get 1 strong buyer or seller lead)
Incidentally, while sitting there we discovered that our teens were friends and that each of us knew the other's teen. After that I stopped and dropped on another street, no one was home until the last house. That woman was abrupt and a little mean. Overall, I think it was a successful walk about. In my books, no one's a stranger unless they are stranger than me.
Before I decided to share this story I had researched several blogs for: SOI, Door Knocking. There was nothing under walk abouts. I don't know exactly where walk abouts fit in to marketing strategy, so maybe they are more exercise, social, or hobby.
Jennifer Allen,http://activerain.com/blogsview/34280/Are-You-Tired-of Jennifer, I have enjoyed your blogs and learn from them. However, it is my nature to be a pest. Most people just accept that.
Dee, Don't work with strangers if you're broke! I think I commented at your blog, Dee. This is great advice that I plan to re-read from time to time.
Angus, Specific Person - getting your foot in the door Angus in Mississippi its not that hard to get your foot in the door; sometimes its harder to leave.
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