Nothing beats walking into a house and smelling fresh baked cookies, homemade pie or smells of the waves rushing onto the shore. It's gives you that warm feeling of being at Gramma's house during the holiday's or playing on the beach as a kid. Good smells trigger good memories, and put your walk-thrus in a positive mood while meandering through your listings. Many times, great conversation can be struck up by talking about the smell of the house and it leaves lasting impressions! You get to know your customers more, and if they end up buying the house... you know just what to get them for a housewarming! When people drive away from your open house, they might be talking about how great your listing smelled. Maybe they'll even smell something like that again, and it will trigger them back to walking through that listing and your name will pop up in their head.
Goodies: Rarely does someone pass up a cookie, and the more likely the chance they're going to remember you just for that one reason! Wrap each cookie in colorful plastic wrap with a ribbon tied around it. Hole-punch your business card and tie it on the ribbon. This does several things for you.
1.) Keeps the crumbles from falling on your clients freshly shampooed carpets!
2.) People remember you when they are sitting in their car and eating their delicious cookie
3.) They see your name in front of their face again and take your business card with them!
No time to bake? Pick up some goodies at a local bakery and make it a fun craft time for your kids or grandkids while you're home, or even with a baby sitter - just make sure they wash their hands ;)
Candles, Oils, Air Fresheners: First, make sure if your clients are still living in the listing, that they don't mind if you light some scents throughout the house. Also, check their preference in smell. I would try to avoid plug-ins at all cost; they have been known to be the cause of many house fires. If you are showing a large house, light two candles or oil burners, one upstairs and one downstairs. Give them either the same smell or complimentary smells so the two don't clash.
An even better idea? Get your scents for free! Team up with an at home salesperson and ask them to donate the candles or burners for your open houses. Tell them if people mention the smells in the house, you'd be happy to hand out their business card. For example: I team up with real estate agents because as a side job (mostly becuase it's fun and I get my stuff at discount, hehe), I sell products for The Body Shop at Home. We have an extensive line of Home Fragrance oils that many people love and they make great gifts! I donate the oils and burners and agents light them at their open houses. I also give them a stack of business cards that they hand out when someone mentions the burners or smells. The card contains my online ordering web address so people from anywhere can order something of the like and have it sent right to them. The agents are saving money, and sometimes, they even leave the burner for their current customers to keep. Two local salespeople helping one another out!
These types of things make GREAT housewarming gifts as well. Get a basket and fill it with things that many people who are on a budget (new home buyers generally are) would love to have but can't afford. Ask them their favorite scent and put together a basket full of hand soaps, lotions and an oil burner with some different oils - something the whole family can enjoy!!
How do you light up your listings and create a lasting impression on your customers?
Happy Smelling ;)
Erika
Comments(7)