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Is the "talking house" all it's cracked up to be, or just another gimmick?

Well, I just got the package in the mail, and I think I'm really excited to try it! The only problem is that it sounds too easy. I immediately felt like I was watching a late night informercial. (Well, actually I was). I searched a 10 mile radius of my house, and only came up with 12 agents who had the system. Is that a good thing or bad? Why doesn't everyone have this thing if it's so good. If any of you have tried it, or heard of it please let me know the TRUTH about the "talking house". I've also heard something about a pre-recorded phone messaging services. Any information on that would be helpful as well. I'm a fairly new agent, and I'm just trying to find something DIFFERENT to offer my clients. The days of sticking a sign in the front yard and having 5 contracts a week later are gone!

Posted by Michelle Boyle on 03/14/2007 04:35 PM

Comments (9)

talking house, new agent

9 Comments on Is the "talking house" all it's cracked up to be, or just another gimmick?

Michelle, I started using "Talking Houses" about 8 years ago. I loved them. I wouldn't say they increased my buyer traffic but they definitely gave me an ace in the hole at listing presentations. I stopped using them about 3 years ago because business was so good I didn't need them. I just gave them all away recently. Sellers love them, so go for it!

03/14/2007 05:13 PM

by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

It's another gimmick. How does it capture leads for you? It doesn't. Utilizing an 800# call capture system will reap you more than talking house ever will. With practically everyone having a cell phone now days, they can listen to the message (just like in talking house), you get their phone number, they can request packets of information and you can call them back in 5-10 minutes to help them with any other questions or to schedule a showing. Talking house is passive and doesn't generate any 'call to action/call to capture' aspect.

03/14/2007 05:39 PM

by Coeur d'Alene Real Estate - Come Live the Life Style - Christina Ethridge (David Swarat's North Idaho Dream Team (GMAC))

Christina, I have to disagree with you there. As a listing Broker, capturing leads off my signs is not my goal. Having a tool to help me get the listing is. The "talking house" is a very good tool for capturing listings. I guess it just depends on what you are trying to achieve by using them.

03/15/2007 08:28 AM

by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

Michelle...

When we started using talking houses we saw an immediate increase in business. This was the result of having something to offer that other salespeople did not. Any kind of marketing that breaks you away from the crowd is a very good thing. Talking houses did that for us :)

TLW...ROAR!

03/15/2007 06:09 PM

by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)

Thanks for all of your feedback. Both yours and your husbands. One more question about the talking house, How is the reception? I've heard that it's not good.

03/15/2007 06:51 PM

by Michelle Boyle (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

Michelle...

The reception is only an issue if you don't put the antenna near a window. Choose a window as close to your Real Estate sign as possible. You'll have to occasionally re-set the transmission boxes. That's just par for the course. Having to re-set the transmission boxes is not a bad thing. It gives you a chance to pop in on your Seller and they can see that you're taking good care of them. Don't let your Seller's mess with the transmission boxes :)

TLW...ROAR!

03/15/2007 07:00 PM

by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)

You must check out www.HearHomes.com then!

10/16/2007 01:54 AM

Michelle, Did you proceed with the program? What type of results did you have? I certainly respect BB and TLWs opinions, but I'd also like to hear how it went for you?

05/13/2008 12:41 AM

by Erik Hitzelberger, --Louisville-Bullitt County Real Estate (RE/MAX Alliance)

Michelle - I also LOVE TH and the results I've had because of it. The Sellers just LOVE them too and that is what is most important to me. Our reception here is fantastic and the message can be heard for blocks. I hope you took the plunge !

07/17/2008 01:33 PM

by Susan Emo RE/MAX ( Riverview Realty Ltd - Brokerage - 1000 Islands Canada)

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