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So Simple, It’s Beautiful (Listing Solicitation)

By
Real Estate Agent with Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate

In this high-tech world it's easy to lose sight of some of the simple things which we could be doing to develop business.  Here's one which impressed me.

On Monday evening, one of my agents pulled 100 business cards out of the box, and jotted a handwritten note of the back of each one. "If you're interested in selling your house, please call me.  Pat."

On Tuesday morning, around 5:30 am, he took his dog for a walk and he tucked those cards into storm doors on 100 properties in his area.

On Tuesday afternoon, the phone rang and an appointment was made with a prospective seller for Wednesday evening.

On Thursday morning, he brought the new listing to the office.

Based on our current market and the high level of demand in the area there's a good chance it will be under contract before the end of the weekend.

This idea is so simple it almost seems stupid but I have little doubt it made a greater impression on these home owners than most of the "flyers" we're accustomed to seeing in the mailbox.  He certainly gets points for delivering something different. Second, it was a bit of a personal touch, something we seldom see in mailbox marketing. Third, it was probably obvious to each of these homeowners that this agent was actually at their door, long before the sun came up, and he was walking the streets in their neighbourhood.  I'll bet a few of those business cards found their way to the fridge or that little drawer where you put stuff like this for future reference.

It's easy to get caught up in all of the new methods of prospecting. Personally, I enjoy them and I'm starting to see many benefits from my blog already. This story reminded me that there are other simple ways of standing out.  What a great way to make your morning walk pay.

Norm

My Other Blog

Teri Isner
Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes - Orlando, FL
GRI, CRS, CIPS
Norm great idea will share it with my team.
Jan 25, 2007 09:23 AM
Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate

Norm,

That is a simple, but great idea!  I will begin to use it myself.  BTW, you are one of the reasons I began blogging!  Thanks

Jan 25, 2007 09:27 AM
Kaushik Sirkar
Call Realty, Inc. - Chandler, AZ
Hard work with a little ingenuity can often pay off!  Hats off to your colleague!
Jan 25, 2007 10:06 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
The creative ideas are the ones that get people's attention. 
Jan 25, 2007 10:22 AM
Steve Leung
Silicon Valley Real Estate - Cupertino, CA

That's a really elegant way of standing out.  Thanks for sharing!

Steve 

Jan 25, 2007 10:45 AM
Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

nicve touch. I have clear plastic door hanger bags- looks like a newspaper cover with a hole to put over the door knob. I put fsbo letters or listing stuff in them and when driving around have them ready when the fsbo sign goes up or the opportunity is there to hang a few down a street.

 

Jan 25, 2007 11:06 AM
Sean Dankers
Realty World Select - Fredericksburg, VA
So simple and so effective.  Thanks for sharing..
Jan 25, 2007 10:04 PM
Stephen Luckett
ExecuHome Realty-LuckNet Real Estate Group - Dundalk Sparrows Point, MD

Norm

I am new to AR and have spent the last 2 days reviewing and learning from various blogs. I have ran across two or three of yours that I have picked up some good points from-but this one takes us right back to the basics in our business. Thanks for helping me to remember the beginning-and how sometimes the simplest (& cheapest) things can give us the greatest return

Feb 19, 2007 04:31 AM
Alamo City Homes Magazine
Alamo City Homes Magazine - San Antonio, TX

LOve the idea.. I just need a dog to walk..

Mar 05, 2007 05:32 AM
Chris Gempeler
Breckenridge Mountain Top Realtors - Breckenridge, CO
Mountain Top Realtors
I love it when people bring it back to the basics and see great results!
Jul 07, 2007 02:08 PM
Diane Velikis
Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA
Luzerne County Real Estate
I place my flyers in storm doors too. thanks for the encouragement!
Aug 27, 2007 11:11 PM
Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

Great idea and you are so right the simpliest things work best - most of the time.  If you can just think of the little sayings --

  • keep life simple
  • what goes around comes around
  • easier said than done
  • love one another
  • time waits for no one

SImpily said by with impact.

Aug 30, 2007 07:11 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Norm,

Welcome to Active Rain!  You write well, and I expect to see more of you from time to time!

Mike in Tucson

Jan 22, 2008 07:43 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Norm,

WELCOME to Active Rain!  You need to check out my blog for the spring flowers that are blooming here in the desert; our neighbors are snowbirds from Canada.

Local Rag: Tucson Wildflowers Best in 30 Years!

Mike in Tucson

Mar 25, 2008 03:49 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
Sometimes it is the little things that stand out and get someone's attention. This time looks as though it worked well for him. Thanks for sharing.
May 07, 2008 04:49 AM
Jean Groesbeck
Compass - Anacortes, WA
Broker, CRS, e-PRO, ABR, ASP, CNE, IMS

Where have you been?  Is your market still active?  Why aren't you blogging any more or have your changed the way you do business...If so, what have you found to be more effective?

Sep 15, 2008 07:21 AM
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate - Saskatoon, SK

Hi Jean,

I'm still around, and still selling homes though my market has taken a real turn (down).

Just the same, I've been pretty busy listing homes and keeping up with my other blog is challenging, but it's really become m first priority as far as blogging goes.

Take care.

Sep 15, 2008 08:48 AM
Anonymous
debra

fab idea...although we dont have strom doors here...i guess i will pop mine in the mail box...some doors are 300mts or more away from the street as well...love the tip though!!

Feb 27, 2010 03:00 PM
#18
Pat Zachow
HomeSmart - Phoenix, AZ

Hi Norm - It seems the folks pushing social media and the latest technology make it sound as if you can't succeed without it!  Not true.  You can survive without it.  Just don't forget the old methods because they still work.  People need to experiment a bit and find the blend of new and old to succeed!

Jul 10, 2011 05:08 AM