Every weekend, I make sure I have some activity for real estate happening. Makes sense, right? If you are not sitting an open house, then maybe work a buyer. Don’t have either of those options available? Then maybe you can prospect or hell … get out in the field and preview new listings … learn the inventory.
Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from the clients and just see some of the homes out there at your own pace in areas that you farm or have interest in without anyone bothering you. Get a feel for the world from the consumers eye for a moment … right?
WOW, ever notice how many open house signs are out there? At least out here. They. Are. Everywhere. Forget the limits or HOA and city guidelines … put ten six or ten on every corner! I just can’t believe there is not more regulation on the numbers. But, to add to it … most areas have restrictions on the size and color of open house signs … that are usually completely overlooked.
I see open house signs with riders, balloons, flags, spinners, reflectors, every color you can imagine … then you get to the house … more balloons, flags, etc … all the smoke and mirrors.
Are we really in a world where Realtors® have such an ego that they have to “win every corner?” I know, I’m the “naysayer” right? “James, agents have to make themselves stand out. Agents have to make sure people can find their open house among all of the other signs. What’s wrong with standing out?”
Oh the clutter! Do people really want to live in a community with signs up every single weekend EVERYWHERE? Seriously, have you ever driven into a community that you have a listing looking through the eyes of the consumer … it not only screams “move away, everyone is moving away” … it looks like a parade … not a community. If there are ten signs up on the corner already, certainly you don’t need that one extra one so people can find you … just put one somewhere else in the neighborhood.
You don’t need to break the rules to stand out. And, if you’re not breaking the rules … do you really think you need a parade to get people to your open house? Most visitors look at apps on their phone to get to the open houses anyway. Do you need 37 signs to guide people in? Have you ever, just for fun, tried only one sign in front of your listing … nothing special … just a little green arrow that says open house … maybe has your name on it so people don’t run off with it?
I’m not saying “don’t put signs out” … but I see things like “Open House” with a rider that says “AREA SPECIALIST” …
Oh, okay … well … I wasn’t going to visit the open house but if you are an “AREA SPECIALIST” (thanks for yelling) then I’ll definitely stop by.
This industry is such a measuring contest to so many. Even the open house signs have become a “battle to win.” I love this business but I don’t sell my soul. I do plenty of business … I am just me … people like that …
If you need the smoke and mirrors, the bells and whistles, the riders to say you’re the best (and if you have to say it … you may not be … … … by the way) … you may just be pushing too hard.
“Cookie Cutter” is not the answer I am suggesting … but sometimes the loudest cry is not the one that gets the attention.
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