Special offer

The House Looked Like the Blue Light Special at KMart

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Franklin Homes Realty LLC

The Neighbor Said It Looked Like the Blue Light Special at KMartFor those of you who may not remember, KMart stores used to have Blue Light Specials. Store clerks had a cart they would roll around the store. It had a flashing blue light. The store manager would announce over the PA that there was a blue light special on a particular item in a particular aisle. 

Buyers would rush to the blue light to get incredible deals. 

A few weeks back, I listed a one-level home located in the Riverview Park neighborhood of Franklin. On the first day of showings, buyers and their agents were lined up outside the door to get into the house. The neighbor said, "The house looked like the Blue Light Special at KMart. Buyers were anxious to get a look."

In a matter of three days, we got 30 showings and 6 offers. All the offers were for asking price or above. Even after we got the house under contract, the phone continued to ring with interested buyers. 

How did we get so many showings on this particular home?

1. Price - We priced the house right. In comparison to the other homes in this neighborhood, it might have even been priced a little on the high side. However, due to the lack  of inventory of one-level homes and some unique features, we felt justified in our price. Our assessment was correct.

2. Condition - The sellers had a pre-inspection completed before listing their home. They then took the list of items and made necessary repairs and inprovements. Then, they had walls painted and the house professionally cleaned.

3. Home Staging - TW Realty Group hired a home stager to showcase some of the wonderful features of the home. A few simple changes made the house look spectacular for showings and photographs that would be syndicated all over the internet.

4. Professional Photography - We work closely with a professional photographer who shoots all our listings. He does a spectacular job of highlighting those things buyers are interested in.

5. Marketing - We marketed the house prior to listing it. This included writing a Coming Soon blog post and sending out an email blast to prospective buyers.

The hard work we did prior to listing, paid off. The house was under contract the first weekend. That's what every seller wants; a quick sale for top dollar. 

Wouldn't you like your Franklin TN home to look like the Blue Light Special at KMart? If so, pick up the phone and call Tammie White of TW Realty Group. We'll have your home sold in no time.

Posted by
Tammie White, Managing Broker/Owner
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, SFR
Franklin Homes Realty LLC
Franklin, TN
(615) 495-0752 
GET REAL. GET LOCAL.
 
This posting with the content written here and photographs displayed are the intellectual property and opinions of Tammie White of Franklin Homes Realty LLC. Any party who uses this material without the written permission of Tammie White is subject to copyright infringement and possible lawsuit.

Comments(19)

Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

That's the short and sweet story of how to market a home properly. You all deserve a pat on the back - You first, the sellers who cooperated, the staging pros, and the professional photographer. And then you get another pat on the back for hring the stagers and professional photographer, and another for pricing the home well, and another for your pre-markeitng efforts, and...  

Jul 18, 2014 06:22 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

That's great.  I do remember those blue light specials from years ago.  They had some cool stuff on sale under that flashing blue light. 

Jul 18, 2014 06:38 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Tammie..... I hated that store and I still do....but I'd list with you .... that's like a trip to bloomingdales.... everything they display and provide is "top shelf"....'

Jul 18, 2014 06:59 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

I'll add to the story the fact that we had a great seller who actually listened carefully to our suggestions! I love it when a good plan comes together... 

Jul 18, 2014 08:28 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Debb - The sellers told us this story at their closing today. It was a combined effort to get their home sold.

Belinda - I worked at KMart when I was in high school. Blue light specials were a big hit.

Barbara - Our listing was "top shelf" and that's why the buyers were lined up waiting to get in.

Tom - I wish all our sellers were this cooperative. It was a great end to the story. 

Jul 18, 2014 09:02 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening Tammie. The Franklin TN real estate market is hot. When properties showcase well, they fly off the shelf.

Jul 18, 2014 09:56 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

And THAT is how you sell a house quickly and for top dollar.  Good job!

Jul 18, 2014 11:44 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Michael - Do the work ahead of time and it sells.

Susan - Yes, it is.

Jul 18, 2014 12:07 PM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

Very good work Tammy! It's no wonder with all that work prior to listing the home that you didn't have multiple offers!

Jul 18, 2014 12:34 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Tammie, You and Tom had all the right moves for a successful sale!  Congrats!

Jul 18, 2014 01:11 PM
Ted Glover
Alderman Classic Realty, LLC - Moultrie, GA
ABR in Moultrie, Georgia 229-854-5422

What a great example to share with other potential sellers. Getting it done upfront and preparing the home for sale. The benefits of having great experienced agents like you Tammie and Tom.

Jul 19, 2014 01:42 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Tammie, no wonder the place flew off the shelf!  Great job - especially getting it staged and professionally photographed.

Jul 19, 2014 02:11 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Sussie - That's the way to make a quick sale happen.

Bliz - We sure did.

Ted - Thanks.

Patricia - This home didn't have the updated kitchens and baths that so many couples desire. The house had a great floor plan but the staging was really necessary to show-off all it's attributes.

Jul 19, 2014 03:07 AM
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

You did your job and very well I might add.  Congratulations on the Blue Light Special.  I do remember those.  Actually worked there for a while.

Jul 19, 2014 05:11 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Rose Mary - I actually worked there when I was in high school.

Jul 19, 2014 06:11 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Tammie- those 5 points you listed were the perfect recipe to sell a house!  

Jul 19, 2014 07:25 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Kathy - They sure were.

Jul 19, 2014 01:21 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Tammie~ The five "steps" that you referenced in your post are what listing a house to sell is all about. 

Jul 25, 2014 02:34 AM
220 Marketing
220 Group LLC - San Diego, CA
Real Estate/Mortgage Marketing

The five steps you posted Tammie, are EVERYTHING. Marketing and email blasting help ALL of our clients really seal the deal. Thanks for sharing.

Aug 07, 2014 01:53 AM