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Do Balloons Help Sell More Houses?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

BalloonsAll right, I admit I've got a bee in my bonnet with this one and I need your help. I am always trying to improve my craft in selling houses and some Realtors have as a core part of their marketing tying balloons to everything. Not just doing an OPEN HOUSE. I'm talking the entire weekend on For Sale signs and directional signs. So help me.

           Do Balloons Help So More Houses?

I used to think this was tacky and old school. Then I thought it would attract attention to the signs and property. Now watching days on market soar and "new" reduced prices coming out I am back to thinking this whole balloon man thing is hokey. But I know they are using it in their listing presentations against me. We do balloons. He doesn't.

Tell me the scoop with your collective wisdom so I can inhale the remaining helium gas and sound like Mickey Mouse for you.

Mickey Mouse

 

 

Comments (123)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Amanda: I'm glad SOMEONE has finally settled the issue! : ) Can I go out and buy a cannon now?

Jun 23, 2008 03:27 PM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

I don't see why not, Gary.  Go for it.

Jun 23, 2008 03:36 PM
Cathleen OnullHannigan
Keller Williams Realty - Cary, NC
Cary NC Homes Pro

okay, I must be really weird because I thought pics on business cards were tacky but baloons at open houses were not.  Well.... come to think of it, open houses are tacky period.  So that means that baloons are ok cuz they fit right in and I don't think anyone thinks of them as tacky.

Jun 25, 2008 03:22 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Amanda: I've ordered the cannon.

Cathleen: I have actually never understood Open Houses in the Internet age, but balloons make them like a celebration which is ok by me. Kids like balloons, who can be against balloons?

Jun 25, 2008 03:37 PM
Jack Climer
Jack Climer Realty, LLC - Springfield, MO

I enjoy turning the site up side down and wait for the calls....it works.........

Jun 25, 2008 04:36 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Gary: In many cases, Realtors will leave a OPEN HOUSE sign up for extended periods of time and they just kind of go numb to the eye. Having fresh balloons on the signs let people know there may actually be someone there.They also are eye catchers.

Jun 25, 2008 04:41 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Jack: Now turning a sign upside down, that's a clever maneuver ; )

Roland: Good point that people know it is active with the balloons.

Jun 25, 2008 04:42 PM
Randall Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

I used ballons at my personal open house and thought they were highly effective.  Out at the corner it caught the eyes of driver's that saw the same thing every day until that red balloon moved in the wind.

Jun 26, 2008 04:14 AM
Carol Clay
Looking Glass Realty - Brevard, NC
Broker/REALTOR, Brevard NC Real Estate Specialist

What I think is really hilarious is how many comments, including my own, this simple question has generated! OMG  You'd think we would all have bigger things to worry about than whether to tie balloons to our signs or not. In a day and age where everyone is consumed with the latest technology and crazy things like Twitter...how is it that "to balloon...or not to balloon" became such a heated debate.

ROFL...thanks!

Jun 26, 2008 05:08 AM
Lucas Taylor
Keller Williams Miami Beach - Miami Beach, FL

Very informative article. lol thanks

Jun 29, 2008 03:10 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Vertical Lending Services: The moving in the wind by the balloon screams out something is happening on this sign. But I do agree for other signs around the neighborhood, and all weekend long, it is not the balloons that are going to sell the house.

Carol: a) people are bored b) people have too much time on their hands c) people like to have fun d) despite the Internet, balloons are a serious topic. Much more important than Twitter ; ) This also was one of my posts that got hijacked and keeps getting hijacked. I just think everyone likes balloons.

Lucas: It certainly has had its fair amount of discussion now at the 114th comment. Thanks for yours.

Jun 29, 2008 03:35 PM
Anonymous
susan mangigian

Hello from Ocean City NJ... for the love of Pete... are we still talking about these balloons???  Yikes!!  Can't stay, I only have 23 minutes left on this computer.  xxoo

Jun 30, 2008 01:49 AM
#115
Anonymous
Chris Tash

After hearing all of you complain of balloons flying away, looking droopy, dull etc. you should try Balloon Bobbers.  They are just air filled, reusable and last forever.  Can be filled quick with a $7 cigarette lighter elec pump they sell (or mouth) and twist lock onto your signs so kids don't go running off with it.  Think they are about $15 for everything but well worth the lack of hassle.  Stuff in the trunk and Wa-La...Done!

And yes, in my opinion when I see a balloon inflated and looking good it says the Open House is going on NOW and I should visit if interested versus a no-balloon sign that could still be left there from last week...Not worth looking into.

 

May 29, 2009 04:29 AM
#116
Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Gary,

Good post. Nice photos. Interesting. Keep post.

 

Best -Sash

Jan 07, 2010 02:37 AM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

Who the hell is Paul Slaybaugh and why is there half a dwarf in my pool?

Feb 17, 2010 01:37 PM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

Who the hell is Paul Slaybaugh and why is there half a dwarf in my pool?

Feb 17, 2010 01:37 PM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

Wow i like to have baloons in the house and give them to the kids.

Feb 27, 2011 02:56 AM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo

so whats the final verdect u think?

Aug 21, 2012 11:52 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Paul: I do not think balloons help sell houses at all. LOL. Just my official thought on this from watching.....

Aug 21, 2012 11:57 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

They particularly don't sell more houses when you open the trunk to grab a directional sign and the entire bouquet of balloons fly off to the sky.  Sigh.  

Aug 23, 2012 12:17 AM