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Flyer Box and Riders. Advantage or Disadvantage? (pardon me if I mispelled rider)

By Matt Freeman

Mortgage and Lending with Capitol Mortgage Corporation

April 27, 2008 05:47 AM

This question has been on my mind for quite some time. In my Neighborhood there are 2 homes that have been on the market forever.

House #1 - Beautiful home with a huge Backyard. 4000 square feet with a price point that is for middle to upper income buyers. So what is the problem? This particular home is on the second Real Estate Agent to list the property. Reputable company and a reputable Real Estate agent. However, the sign leaves a lot to be determined. The sign is equipped with a flyer box and a rider. The rider says huge backyard!

What the rider tells me every-time that I look at is major yard-work! Once you go in the home and look at the color choices that the previous homeowner made you think HGTV, "Color Correction."

What about the flyers? I live right near the home so I have to look at the house everyday at least twice a day. Over the last 9 months that the home has been on the market only three times totaling three months or so have I actually seen a flyer in the box.

Question #1 - If there is a flyer box don't you think that there should be flyers?

Question #2 - To be effective shouldn't the riders excite a consumer? To me it is like the "Just reduced or price reduced" riders. They don't make the property more attractive they make it seem like the seller is desperate. This is just my opinion. It also blends in with the sign. If it were bright pink I would have to look every-time. If I was not in Real Estate I would never look twice at this house.

House #2 - Beautiful home on a corner lot with a great Backyard and fully done inside. Again, in the same Income Category. Another Reputable company with the listing and in this case I do not know the Real Estate Agent that has the listing. This home has been listed for over a year with the same agent and the same sign.

This home has no rider and no flyer box. There has never been a flyer for this property. There has also never been one change to the sign except for when it was blown down by the wind. This is very forgettable and rather dull.

Question #1 - Aside from calling the agent how would anyone know the price? There is no website, virtual tour, flyer, rider or anything. It is the mysterious house. There has never been an open house. It has been over a year. Do you want to sell the place?

Question #2 - What exactly is selling this home?

What I want to know from Active Rain Realtors is:

1) Are flyer boxes and riders effective? If so, what should they say and how often do you refill the box and change the flyer?

2) If you have a flyer box that is always empty is it a disadvantage? (like a web-page that does not load quickly.)

3) What does an effective rider say?

I feel that each of these homes are at a disadvantage for different reasons. If you have a flyer box make sure that it is filled. If you have a rider make sure that it communicates effectively what you are hoping. Ask the neighbors what they think. After all we do see it everyday.

If you have no flyer box and no descriptive riders can you at least have a website to go to or an 800 number?

What do all of you think?

As always thank you for reading.

Matt Freeman

Comments(12)

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Jennifer Butz

Not yet determined - Lilburn, GA

I think there should always be flyers so that someone does not feel they are obligated to pick up the phone and call a real estate agent. If they are picking up the flyer, they MIGHT be interested in the property then they will decide if they want to contact the agent or not. Just my opinion.

Apr 27, 2008 05:55 AM

Jason Crouch

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX

Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

I think if you have a flyer box, you need to keep it filled. I usually tell sellers to let me know when they are running low. The last house I sold was from a flyer call.

Apr 27, 2008 06:01 AM

Barry Bridges

Barry Bridges Weichert Realtors Bridges & Co. - Smith Mountain Lake, VA

Lake professional

Lots of ways to look at this.
Flyers- Most of these go to neighbors and people who are just driving around killing time. Some say.
Riders- What do you put on them. Waterfront? Big yard? Shouldn't it be something you can't see like HOME WARRENTY
The only thing they can do is call the REALTOR if there is no flyer. Well are they really potential buyers if they don't want to talk to a REALTOR?
Lots of ways to look at this.

Apr 27, 2008 06:07 AM

Steve Hirschler

Keller Williams Big Bear - Big Bear Lake, CA

Big Bear Real Estate

Great post. I have over 20 listings and only put flyer's on 2 of them currently. I have put over 500 flyer's in these boxes with no calls.I don't like flyer's. We use a service on some of our listings that captures cell numbers and gives info. Then we call and ask if they need any additional info. I want the buyers to call. I want to tell them I can be their in 3 minutes and offer to show them the home or others. Flyer's don't sell homes. Buyers that are driving around looking without a Realtor really need to get some help so that they can find what they are looking for. What type of serious buyer wants to look without facts provided by an agent? I think it is dangerous for buyers to decide whether or not the property is a fit based on a flyer. It's a tough call.

Apr 27, 2008 06:21 AM

Tony Fantis

Fantis Group Real Estate - Salt Lake City, UT

Realtor,Principal Broker - Salt Lake City

Good questions. Flyer boxes are VERY eefective at accomplishing certain things. They can also limit the verbal dialogue between buyers and agents. There are easy ways to keep the boxes full, and many ways to encourage potential buyers and "nosy neighbors" to take further action based on the flyer.

Apr 27, 2008 06:25 AM

Ellie Viray

Deasy Penner Podley - Pasadena, CA

Realtor, GRI

If you are putting a flyer box, put flyers in. However, I have experienced putting tons of flyers and being empty the next day. Kids? I would get a rider with website for the home. Buyers love going on-line.

Apr 27, 2008 06:40 AM

Aundrea Damrell

Realty World Adams and Associates - Berea, KY

I can't seem to keep my flyer boxes filled. I think people must steal the papers..No way 25 people a day are getting them out and I don't receive one phone call.I quit putting the boxes out. If they are interested they will call or visit an open house. Too much waste of paper to get no action.

Apr 27, 2008 06:42 AM

Matt Freeman

Capitol Mortgage Corporation - Roseville, CA

Broker- California Mortgages

Jennifer - Your right. Flyers are passive and I think there are potential buyers that won't call because they don't want to fell sold.

Jason - I can't agree more.....

Barry - Great questions. Maybe a blog topic! I think buyers like to see the inside and amenities without others present but also know that I am the nosy neighbor that takes a flyer.

Steve - Call capture or similar product is probably very effective. Flyers waste a lot of paper. If the property has the appropriate curb appeal they will call. How do they know it is in the price range though?

Tony - I agree about limiting the verbal. Couldn't it be a way to weed out buyers without wasting your time on the phone?

Linda - I agree. Virtual tours are great to look at and give you plenty to determine if the call to see it is necessary.

Aundrea - Thanks for the answer. Have not seen an open house for either home in 6 months.

Ellie - Great suggestion. Can you call the Realtor for me?

Apr 27, 2008 08:40 AM

LaShawn Norden

Keller Williams Heritage Realty - Longwood, FL

REALTOR, (321) 377-0157, Your Real Estate Advocate in Central FL

Matt, I've just recently had this same discussion with three different sellers...I've actually noted that I get more calls and online leads WITHOUT the flyers in the box. I came to this conclusion after I took all the flyer boxes off and replaced them with a sign rider that has my website address on it. When they visit my website, it shows them the virtual tour and basics of the house...but no price...to get this price, I have a "Got a Question" tab that people click on to ask their question and at that point, the system captures their information.

I used to be of the belief that we should provide flyers and information so that a Buyer will call if they find it meets all their needs and price range...that was before spending hundreds of dollars per month with no calls...therefore no ROI.

I've recently been thinking about signing up for a service called TextmyMLS whereas drive-by prospects can send a test to a certain number, which in turn, responds with the property information (including price)...this system also captures buyers on the spot...

Any thoughts on that system?

Apr 28, 2008 11:57 AM

Matt Freeman

Capitol Mortgage Corporation - Roseville, CA

Broker- California Mortgages

LaShawn

I think the idea sounds great. How many people do you know using the system? The other part is the demographic of your market. Texting is becoming common but I would be interested in the stats on who texts the most. The key is to capture the information. We need the ability to get on the phone with the consumer.

I have honestly tried a lot and found that networking and friendships with others is always the best bang for my buck.

Apr 28, 2008 12:19 PM

Isaac Diaz

LEADMACHINES.COM - North Hollywood, CA

NEVER GIVE OUT INFORMATION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO FOLLOW UP!

Place property brochuresin front of the property but instead of putting the price of the property on the flyer use call capture and capture the consumers who are reading these flyers. If you need a deal on call capture, i can get you an 800 number on a risk free trial for a month. email idiaz@taylorbean.com.

May 14, 2008 06:35 AM