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Bright & Shiny

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

As an engineer/real estate agent, I tend to be a bit skeptical.

Correlation doesn't mean causation. 

Some things are just coincidence.

And rare is the day in this business that someone isn't trying to offer a "bright & shiny".

Emails like the following:


"I understand that your industry can be very competitive, so I'm hoping that you have some time this week or next to sit down for a comprehensive review of your digital presence."

 

Now most of these cold call style emails are even more generic.  We were reviewing your website and noticed...

Personally if you want ANY credibility at all, WHICH of our sites did you "review"?

So yes, I'm a skeptic.  I'm rarely going to be a first adopter.  And I'm rarely going to grant the time being requested for a pitch. 

I don't need the latest phone and will go years without upgrading (although I've got to admit the camera on my S10 absolutely outclasses my previous S4 by light years).

Drone photography?  For the most part I consider it a bright and shiny.  If you're pitching cookie cutter communities with homes on .2 acre lots, I don't think there's just not a lot to work with to create the WOW factor that can't also be accomplished with boots on the ground.  YMMV though.

But I think there are times it's not a bright and shiny, but a valuable tool.  A custom home on a large lot with some great outdoor features?  Now there I think we move from being a bright and shiny to a valuable addition to the marketing of a home.  I can't show this backyard nearly as well with a series of shots as I can with an overview.  So I hire a drone photographer to give me what I want.
9872 Zig Zag Rd Montgomery Ohio
So while I may be skeptical, if I see value I've got no problem expending the dollars to make it part of our toolbag.


I'll tap into the experience of my peers.  Evaluate how well I think it will transfer to my local market, and make a decision.

 

So what's the latest "bright and shiny" that passed your review and made it into your toolbag?

 

Serving Greater Cincinnati home buyers and sellers,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

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Comments (10)

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I need to update my tool box. I have found I depended on some of RE/MAX programs that I am no longer privy to...

Happy Friday Liz and Bill Spear 

Apr 10, 2020 09:10 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I've used some of the RE/MAX design center offerings on occasion, but I tend to not get reliant on anything my brokerage supplies.

Apr 11, 2020 06:19 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Bill. Just because you have a tool in a drawer, does not ean you need to open that drawer every time. Enjoy your day!

Apr 11, 2020 05:45 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Aw c'mon, I've GOT to use that hammer :)

Apr 11, 2020 06:19 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill(and Liz too) - there is no shortage of gadgetry and bright shiny objects to attract anyone especially real estate professionals who want to find the right tool yet often are looking for the magic answer.  What works in certain situations and/or certain people may not/is likely not what will "work" for another.  Weigh options, check results and I feel that skepticism can be helpful when paralysis from fear of the new does not stop creative thinking. 

Apr 11, 2020 05:51 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

True, no lack of things we CAN try, and some at the cost of more than a pretty penny.  I've learned some hard lessons over the years about where not to put my money, so that makes me a much tougher sale for anyone trying the "you only need one sale to pay for this!". 

Apr 11, 2020 06:27 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I don't have an example of a "bright & shiny" but I did want to comment on those emails you mentioned. I've received calls similar to those emails - "I was reviewing your site and saw you don't use social media and I can help you improve your social media presence." And I said, "Oh really? What specific site did you review?" ..... pause, dead silence. 

Apr 11, 2020 05:56 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

yes, the "generic" trolling email that I've gotten almost verbatim dozens of times from supposedly dozens of different companies.  And if they put an RE: as the start of the email subject line, or some other similar ploy like we already have a "relationship"...straight to the virtual trash can.

Apr 11, 2020 06:29 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Liz and Bill,

We get inundated with the latest and greatest! It is just part of the cycle that everyone in every profession gets from those who are eager to make a living also.  Ron usually says when someone calls, we are not your target market, move on to your next call.  We believe, in treating everyone with respect!  A

Apr 11, 2020 10:35 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Ron's approach is close to mine.  You want to help me rank for my keywords?  A) you don't know what my keywords are B) I'm already ranking for them

Apr 11, 2020 01:29 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bill-- a bright shiny tool doesn't do someone much good if they don't need it. I would imagine that the bright shiny tool these days would be Zoom. 

Apr 11, 2020 01:03 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Zoom is probably more of a temporary bright and shiny.  Once this shelter in place ends most people will return to their normal way of doing business.

Apr 11, 2020 01:30 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Bill, right now we're getting a ton of these salesy pitchs of which I have zero need for any of that shiny stuff and the pitches are going after 'newer' agents of which I'm not.  As for the drone shots, many folks got on the drone bandwagon several years or so ago in my area. I'm with you on this subject. Sometimes it makes sense to have drone shots. Others, simply not necessary nor will they show off the property in the best light. Unlike your larger property I had one recently that was in a gorgeous gated community on acre lots. From the front the yard and home looked very private. As did the backyard, pool, pool house etc. But.....the neighbor towards the back of the house we very, very close and did not give the feeling of total privacy. We opted for a few high shots of the front but none in the back.  Home sold in a relatively short time close to sales price.  It was the right move.

Apr 11, 2020 01:55 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Bright and shiny can't replace agent expertise and knowing what is right for the particular circumstances available.  You knew what would work for the situation.

Apr 11, 2020 01:59 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

There are certainly properties that call for extra tools.  That is a lovey shot of your listing and I think you made the perfect "shiny" call on this one.

Apr 11, 2020 10:33 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

The right tools in the right place :)

Apr 13, 2020 07:20 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I definitely agree with Tammy and there should be much more going on for the holiday and especially in these times :)

Apr 12, 2020 10:50 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

It’s OK to be skeptical if it’s healthy and just want to know that stuff. Anything else, would be uncivilized

Apr 12, 2020 10:53 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Grunt.... :)

Apr 13, 2020 07:20 AM