Do you still use flyers for your listings?

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Do you still use flyers for your listings?

dr suess Ok- I'm starting to see a trend in Nashville, and I like being on the other side of this fence. Most of the listing agents in Nashville have decided that flyers are no longer necessary. I did an informal check in two popular neighborhoods in Brentwood this weekend, and even though we found over 30 homes for sale, we could only gather 3 flyers.

Ok, some had empty boxes (on a Saturday), but most just had a sign, no flyer box, and no information without calling the agent(good luck with that, I tried it). My point is this, potential buyers drive through a neighborhood looking for homes that may be interesting to them. They don't always want to ride around with their buyers agent, and maybe they don't have one yet. When they see a sign, they may look, but they usually will not call. If a flyer is available, they will usually take one just to see the price, the size, and anything else interesting.

I've tried IVR's, just signs, and flyers. The best response for my buyers is still flyers with basic information, and a link to my website with more information and pictures. When asking other realtors about flyers I get a very strange answer. They want to be called so that they can capture a buyer even though they probably don't want the listed property.

What about their seller? What's best for them?

As an update. I've noticed a lot of comments that state the value of IVR's to obtain more buyers, but obtaining my customers was not my point. What's best for your client, the seller?

Posted by Larry Brewer on 07/21/2008 04:22 PM

Comments (202)

Originally posted at: Williamson County Real Estate: Do you still use flyers for your listings?

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202 Comments on Do you still use flyers for your listings?

JUL

2008

I use the flyer box on my listings and drive around once a week to put new brochures in the box. There are a lot of buyers who drive in the neighborhoods that don't have a computer. Buyers are sometimes afraid to call, therefore a brochure will give them the extra info and pictures about the house and break the ice.

I love flyer boxes but when you get to 47+ listings it becomes a full time job to keep them. I use them mostly on the visible properties out of cell phone range and at owner requests.

Then, you can use a rider sign with your cell phone number on it and sleep with your phone!

Great post. I am with you. I think flyers are good. Best for the sellers.

Ken

I use flyers in our City of Cookeville area. However, the more remote areas, I do not for obvious reasons. I do like to use flyers and find my sellers really appreciate it.

I think they are a good way to grab that one buyer who "just drove by"...You never know in this market!!

Yes, I use them. But, they can become a pain after in some places. I find that some boxes are emptied in a day with no result - fun for kids to waste them????

I make flyers and don't put the price on it, then give a big stack to the owners, so they can refill as necessary. Problems solved!

Larry, you can also put your other listings on the back of the flyer. I still think it's a good idea to have one.

Flyers? flyer boxes? Old School! No offense but there is a better way, we use a 800 call capture system. Whereas we have a system 800 number with an extention code for each property. (it just says on the sign for a 24 hour recorded message) And people do call, on the script that I use, I mention all the features, square footage, bed / bath and all the ammenties associated with it.

Now at the end of the call I just say "If you would like additional information, to include the asking price, just press zero and speak to someone from the Cramer Team." They will either press zero and talk directly to us, or they will leave a message.

Either way it doesn't matter why? Because we have the call capture system, with their number we call them back and begin the conversation. Our objective is to establish a good communication right off the bat, then we determine the needs as much as possbile on the first call, then most important we get there email, and begin the process.

We have many testimonials how this has really helped our business. If you interested, just call our 800-452-5667 hit ext 2041 it's my favorite and you'll get a idea how the system works.

Good luck, and happy selling.

John and Linda Cramer
www.cramerteam.com

With virtual tours and everything else you can do online I think its a brilliant idea and would save me a ton of time! And, you weed out the people that aren't really interested quickly.

Larry,

We do use the flyers, but I am not sure if we will continue or not. I have recently been having my flyers taken out of my flyer boxes. I know this because a neighbor has witnessed it at more than one location. All I have is a vehicle description so I don't know if it was an agent, a disgruntle neighbor or just someone bored out of their mind. I do enjoy having the flyers out as most of the time it sorts through the buyers who are serious about our price range and those who are "just looking".

I have a better one for you. Text messaging! Go to whammobile.com, call Jeff and tell him Maria with realtyaid told you to call. We put a sign rider in the front of our active listings with the message to text realty1 and then to the number for the company. Prospective buyers get an instant text with the info on the home and I get an email with the prospects information so I can follow up with them and see if I can get prospective buyers. So much cheaper than colors flyers and also dealing with empty flyer boxes. Try it this service it is great. Plus it is a month to month contract. You have nothing to lose.

I firmly believe in flyers--elegant and well executed. When a buyer looks at 10 homes in one day, they need that flyer to help them recall the details.

We use to do flyer's all the time on all listings, but over the last year or so we only do it if the seller specifically request them (Most do not), because we do an 800# hotline/recording on all our listings, that has all of the information including the price. For the the listings that have a virtual tour we also have a rider with the custom domain (propertyaddress.com) for the property that points to the tour and information.

Yes, we do follow up on the calls to the 800#, to make sure they got what they needed and to see if we can assist them, but they should be able to get most all the information they need from the recording.

Grant

I use flyer boxes on all of my Home listings and for me in a Rural area they are worth the time and travel on dirt roads. Far too many of our potential buyers come over from Laughlin for the day driving around without an agent to "just look". Without flyers we may never get the call.

I love using flyers! Buyers will not always call the number on the sign for one reason or another. This way they get the information they want and the buyer gets more exposure of his home. It is a win-win for both sides. If the buyer is still interested after reading the flyer they will call, then you can capture the lead.

Debbie

People prefer to do drive bys when house hunting. At this early stage, buyers don't call to gather information. They expect a flyer.

use the flier, but just don't put the price. offer a 24hour recorded message with the latest in price info. then you get the buyer too!

I guess there are pros and cons on having flyers for listings. I'm with John L. Scott here in Washington state and for every listing we take, a unique 6 digit number is assigned to it, so clients can look up information on the property by entering this number on our website. The only issue with this is that even in today's high tech world we live in, we can't assume that everyone have a computer with internet at home, or simply there are still some people out there that are not tech savvy to use these features. This is where "flyers" come in handy :-)

Eventhough they waste paper and sometimes end up on the ground, I think flyers are a corteous way to let buyers shop on their own and it shows that you are interested in marketing the property.... I am a reader so if there is not a flyer in the box, I will not likely stop or call for information..... and I am a buyer right now myself..... hey why not, while the market is in the tank??? wonder if I can get myself a loan....

HI LARRY!

I use flyers, but I only give enough info to pique their curiosity, to make them call me. And yes, sellers want to see those flyers in the boxes so they can keep an informal track on how many fish are biting.

Thanks for sharing!

I use flyers that are fairly simple and basic. I don't put pricing on them, but refer them to the property website for current pricing. That way in this market, I don't have to constantly change the flyers out.

I like the flyers to drive them to the website. Not everyone has a pad of paper handy to write down a web address. I WANT them to take the web address with them, so they don't lose it on a cocktail napkin or something.

I use them and sold a home last week, where they drove by picked up a flyer, went to the website, called for a showing, 30 days later...we closed.

I like the texting idea and will have to incorporate that. Boomers and some of gen X still need flyers.

I use flyers, I like flyers, and I intend to continue to use flyers.

My sellers like them too because they can see something actually happening to market their house.

I also put my sellers in charge of keeping them filled because they live there in most cases and are in a much better position to do that than I. Of course on vacant houses I take over flyer filling duties.

A well done flyer is a high impact sales tool in my opinion.

Flyers with a 1800 number here. Let's face it, most sellers have no idea what we do for them, many judge your effectiveness as an agent not on results, but quality of flyers.

I used to attempt to handle their flyer objection by showing them how much more effective a IVR system is, but most want to see a flyer box on their sign.

Yeah, I'm still up in the air about the whole flyer dilemma. I printed probably over 500 flyers on about 10 listings which generated 1 call which never went anywhere. I think that the extra cash needed for the prints can be used more effectively through online advertising...

Larry - like you, I am a firm believer in flyers. I also use call capture 877-number - it's on the sign and on the flyers. More we touch the potential buyers - higher is the chance to sell the property. Vandalism and "jokes" is the problem - so what? Drive-by buyers still need information - more is better.

I don't use a flyer box on my listings. The reason? Turns out to many of the flyers ended up littering the streets when kids with nothing better to do in the summer scattered them around. Other agents would come by and empty the box (the owners watched them do it and knew who they were) and most of the callers were cranks. The sign with my phone number and all of the other postings seem to do the trick without the flyers.

Sellers like to see nice color flyers in front of their house. Almost inevitably I get the question on every listing appointment. "Will you put flyers out?" I actually think it is more beneficial to use a 1800, or text info system, but you still have to put out the flyers.

We use flyers, often with the participation of a lender on the back. We believe that most of the time whoever is grabbing a flyer has some reasonable current interest in real estate or a mortgage, and the flyer becomes a reasonable means to keep our name and services in front of prospective clients. We'd much rather do flyers than an ad in the local newspaper classifieds.

Flyers are another thing of the past, like newspapers. Everyone has a cell phone and I use an 800 sign that says recorded info, that way for those that do not want to talk to an agent at this stage, can feel comfortable. It still captures their number for a call back for more info. IMHO

BTW, the texting for more info and pics is starting to be used around here and I think the sellers will like that idea. We must educate them on what does work these days.

There are mixed ideas about this we know. And in this day and age of so many foreclosed properties that account for so many of the listings there are fewer and fewer flyer boxes as foreclosures don't have boxes. We generally use boxes and flyers, but it is not easy to keep up with them when there are frequent price drops.

I like flyers personally. I think many buyers want info right away and they don't want to call. I've seen people back up their cars to get a flyer out of a box. I use them with a 1-800 call capture system not instead of.

I use flyers too, Larry! And my mentor doesn't - I think people my age really appreciate the one less phone call that they have to make after work.

I have tried both with and without flyers. I prefer using flyers. I do a special one - not the same as what is inside the home. The outside one does not have a price. Half of it is used to direct them to my web site or my blog where they can see the slide show of the interior photos and of course, the current price. I've found the sellers keep track of the count to know how many were taken over the weekend. I give them a big stack, so that we make sure it's always filled.

I still use the flyer box and sometimes have to drive 25 miles or more to fill them up, but it's what the seller wants and that's what is important. I have gotten angry calls from potential buyers complaining that the flyer box was empty- buyers expect to get info without obligation, thus the flyers do work and I will continue to use them.

Flyer's still work well here in the rural areas. A cell phone may not have signal, but the potential buyer can grab the flyer, take it with them for the phone number and / or web address.

I think fliers are a great piece of advertisement - something non-commital that people can pick up and take with them. Besides my web address and other contact info, I put a ton of pictures on the back. I liked the suggestion above about putting your other listings on the flier, too....

Larry,

Flyers are dwindling here in Tucson, too. Congrats on the feature!

Mike in Tucson

I use flyer boxes on my listings as it's a great way to promote the property, myself and cross market other properties. We do not have too much of a problem with them disappearing.

We use them...it's exposure for the seller and for us. I have my suspicions about who takes them...we had a listing a block away and went thru close to 500 flyers...ya think it could have been the agent down the block not getting as much traffic....hmmmmm

Larry~ I still use the flyer boxes, although I am not sure that is the best solution. Buyer's DO pick them up and ;like them and the sellers like them too. Who really knows?

not sure how you manage it with tons of listings..other than hire someone to do it each week

We took a stance to stop using the flyers and our phone from sign calls went up about 45%. I took a call and showed my listing and will never forget the lady being actually a bit upset with me that we did not have a flyer box for her to have a sheet. Of course, I had her a nice package and then went on to ask her...How many flyers did she have with her? She replied about 20...I asked her how many of the other homes had she seen? She replied - NONE - I then asked her how many of the homes of the 20 flyers had she called the agent for more information? She replied none. I smiled and told her she had just confirmed my test. She had called me on my sign and I got her in the door. She did not buy that listing but she did become my client and I did close on another home with her.

Even better than that - last year we listed her home since her husband is relocated every two years and she laughed and wanted to make sure I was NOT putting up a flyer box!

It is your choice what you do and how you do your business.Regardless what every other TOM, DICK and JANE do around you! I have not used flyer boxes since 2001 and we listed and sold more homes than anyone in our 135,000 people small town USA...I do make very impressive home marketing books using Top Producer Community reports, we gather the Billing Averages, Tax Info, MLS, Disclosures etc. and I also make sure all of that information is available 24/7 via the Call Capture and Fax on Demand and post on line for agents ease in getting all docs on our listings...

JUL

2008

I like flyers and find that the sellers are happy to keep the box filled.

I have an 800 information line and also encourage people to go to my website for additional pics and info but I still provide basic information on a flyer. It's expected in our communities.

Flyer's are difficult to manage and keep up to date. We use new phone technology that automatically looks up the listing information such as status and sales price directly from the mls.

Larry, Congrats on the star... I agree that flyers are the way to go...

I capture the buyer the same way Larry! I use the flyer and send them to an individual domain. They land on the page and end up using my website as a resource and calling! It cuts down on phone calls from nosy neighbors (put the price on the website) and somewhat weeds out the serious ones.

Petra - My questions has been answered, and most people believe flyers are the way to go. Of course people who disagree, may not have made any comments.

Karl - When I have 47 listings, I pay someone to keep the flyer boxes filled.

Ken - I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who's gone back to flyers. I did go with IVR technology for a while, but after asking several buyers, they still don't like to call.

Kay - I'm not sure what the remote area has to do with it. I would let the seller help if possible (hopefully they want the property to sell also)

Linda - THe kids and sometimes other agents can be a problem, Give some to the sellers and tell them to pet a few in when the box is empty. Then they will notice that people are looking at the home.

Stefan - I'm not sure about your idea of no price on the flyer. Research shows that that's the most important item that people want on the flyer.

John and Linda - I've tried the 800 capture system, and it doesn't help the seller as much as flyers. people do not want to call a number for basic information.

Tracy - All the technology in the world is useless unless people know where to look.

Joshua and Kathy - I've had this happen, so I understand the frustration. Get the seller involved and let them help keep the box supplied. The person taking these flyers may want you to stop.

Maria - I've tried it, and it's cool, but it doesn't help the seller as much as flyers. Once again, if it takes a phone call, you will lose a large percentage of prespective customers.

Diane - You hit the nail on the head. After the day is over, the buyer has the flyer with details of the home they liked the best, or the listing agent who presented the property. Sometimes neighbors take flyers for future reference, I pass them out.

Grant - I haven't had as much luck with the IVR technology. It's not that I don't get call, it just that I know that most people don't want to call a phone number to get the information. How do I know, I ask buyers all the time. I did it just before I wrote this post. Most buyers just keep driving if you don't have a flyer box.

Linda , Debbie, and Jim - I'm in your camp on this, and I'm done a lot of research in the past year. Trust me on this buyers and seller want flyers.

Noel - I have a website for every listing, so that's not a problem (it's really not hard with Point2agent professional), but If I don't give them a flyer, they probably won't remember to look it up.

Brett - I think you are in the exact same position that I'm in. All of this great technology sometimes prevents the seller from seeing what's going on. I have every piece of new technology you can buy for real estate, but sometimes the basic things work better.

kyle - I understand your frustration, but online advertising done correctly doesn't cost a thing, so do it. Your sellers will want to see the flyers, trust me on that, and they will appreciate the online advertising.

A little tidbit about 800 numbers - I have never used an 800 number with recorded message but a friend of mine has. He said that yes, it captured the caller's number and yes, it allowed him to follow up with them...but they (the callers) were often very upset at being called! Who wants to annoy the community you are working in? And if it says to call the 800 number for more information and then you don't give the price, that's just annoying to the caller, since that is often the most important piece of information we can offer in my opinion.

I do flyers (even though most of my competition does not). My sellers love them, buyers love them, and isn't that the point?

Yvette - It's just basic real estate. Keep doing the basics correctly, and you will beat the competition.

Kelly - That's my point exactly. I've tried all of these thing, and they just don't have the impact on the seller that flyers do.

Wow! Interesting the response on the 800 number. First let me say that when Linda and I started our business we had no listings or buyers now 1 year later we have 16 listings currently, and have sold over 4 million and still counting.
If you do not believe the system will work for you then your right it won't. And to the person who says callers get upset? Well how do you treat them when you speak, do you use your voice inflection? Do you softly speak to them, kindly asking question. It's all about presentation! Yes there will be a bad apple in the mix, get over it! Move on! We receive 30-40 calls a month! Now do the math, is it worth it to receive 30 -40 calls? You bet it is, however I'm not trying to convince you, it's a testimony. Someone else wrote earlier about it's being too early in the game, give the buyers a break? Woah, excuse us, I believe we are here to sell Real Estate. Go back to your stats, google it .. People who inquire will buy either the first 90 days to within one year! Those are facts folks! Ok so we get the lead or inquiry as I like to call it, an, perhaps in the early stages, the whole key is to turn that party into a 5 star buyer, before they are communicating with another agent, who signs them up as a "Buyers Agent." 80% of Real Estate Business is done by the top 10% and it's our stance to be in the top 10%. Happy Selling..

John and Linda - It sounds like it's working for you, and it did work here when the market was hot, now it's not. The sellers want their houses to sell. If your system is selling their home, then everybody is happy. I actually have both systems in the same neighborhood. One has a 800 number, and the other a flyer box. You might be surprised to find out that the flyers generate more calls to see the home than the 800 number.

I haven't made up my mind about flyers versus a phone line to call in on.... I'm not sure that you are losing a buyer if you do one or the other. I think someone who is seriously interested will call or find out more even if there is just a sign in the yard. If they just pass it by (don't get a flyer, don't call in) were they really a potential buyer? I would change my opinion on this though if there was something surprising/unexpected about the house... for example if the property is priced lower than people would think...or it has a nice feature that you wouldn't assume it had from the front etc. Maybe picking up a flyer in that case gets them to consider something they didn't think was an option.

My sellers expect flyers! I give them a large box of flyers so they can make sure it is never empty. Of course I take the time to check on it my self a few times a week. I get buyers who call the office mad that they drove by some random house and there wasn't any information. It is a courteous thing to provide and a great marketing tool.

I use flyers. I love flyers! Color both sides. Just invested in a new duplexing 11 x 17color laser for the job, replaced my old worn out 8-1/2 x 11 lexmark. I use 800 numbers. I use phones. I will shortly start using text back. I use signs advertising future open houses. I would also use something else if I could think of what it is, short of the broadcast systems which don't seem to have very good quality.

What I don't understand is the downside to advertising your properly priced listings in every way possible to attract any possible buyer, regardless of their learning style or technology curve. There is no downside! I work in a metro area so I find sign advertising very inexpensive compared to other media.

If a listing agent is just too cheap or to busy....that's a different story and a different discussion.

Good Luck!

I think Flyers are most important for showing Marketing Value to your Sellers.

Yes, we can track Sign Calls, Featured Property Hits to the Website, but without Flyers, we can not track how many Prospective Buyers and Birddogs our Marketing has put in front of the Sellers Home.

Think about the impact of saying, "Mr. & Mrs. Seller, I appreciate and welcome your question of our Marketing, and wanting to know if it has been working. Please keep in mind, over the last (...) days we have put (25, 50, fill in your number) Prospective Buyers infront of you home with our Marketing. Seller responds with how do you know that! Well Mr. & Mr. Seller, "You think the Flyer in front of your home is only to let the person pulling it know about your home...For me, it tells me how many people we have put in front of your house with our Marketing.

Now, for us the Realtor, we have reason to combat any Seller questioning our Marketing efforts.

It is much easier to get a Price Improvement or any thing else you need the Seller to do, when you can prove your Marketing is working. After all, that is why they Hired us.

So 100 Flyers gone through at an over priced listing cost us $8. The Price Improvement can make us Thousands...you do the Math!

Chris

Christopher M. Chaback - 850.545.9317cell
Broker Associate, ABR, CRS

BSBI Partners - Buy Sell Build Invest...Real Estate at its BEST
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We don't use flyers at flyer boxes for our listings either. It's a waste of time and money. Contact with the listing agent should get you the real information and background for seller motivation.

Harrison K. Long, Explore Properties Group, Coldwell Banker Previews

This is an interesting thread of discussion, with both pros and cons. I would like to add the observation that money spent on flyers can get more mileage through Internet marketing. Here are some suggestions:

Put the URL of the listing on the For Sale sign, driving interested parties to your Website. Also include your email address. Some agents even add a holder for business cards with contact information to their signs.
Put up a quick landing page for the listing with photos and other information you would have placed on a flyer (but now a video tour is possible), plus an incentive and lead capture form.
Use the money instead for very targeted local Google pay-per-click ads (with clicks directed to the above landing page).
Instead of flyers, use targeted email campaigns to promote the property.

Dollar for dollar, your ROI is much higher with Internet marketing.

I don't see many flyer boxes around my area. Might be too close to the city and/or maybe agents had problems with kids trashing them.

A sign rider pointing to a single property website can usually show more info and better pictures to a potential buyer. Plus easier for people driving by to remember compared to a phone number or agent website URL.

I think flyers are a waste of several million trees. If my seller has flyers and they constantly refill the box and it's constantly empty, and they're calling me asking where their offer is and I tell them no one has called, and they're like, but all the flyers keep disappearing... how am I supposed to track the real activity? I don't care about those buyers who take the flyer, throw it in their backseat and never call for further information. I need concrete tools that will help me tell my seller that I received this many calls and this many emails about your house, and we've had this many showings to go with all those calls and emails. Filling and filling and filling a flyer box does not give me any statistics whatsoever... just my opinion.

Great topic! This subject has been of debate within our office for months. I believe in flyers and flyer boxes on the property especially if working within a senior community. Although it's great to have a webpage that shows all of the listings, how many times does a buyer really go back home to look up that information? In the heat of the moment you want to keep those buyers interested visually. I especially think that if you are charging a 6% commission it is extremely important to use the flyers when they are a proven tried and true method of marketing. The statements above as to not being able to stay on top of ALL your listings with flyers...it is truly a disservice to all your clients if you can't service them because of your volume. In my opinion, if you have more listings than you can adequately service, then you either need to hire help or limit the amount of listings you take.

I like to use flyers on listings where I can use them. I print a two sided page with the best features and about 8-10 of the best pictures I have. All of my contact information, web links and I do not include the price. This way, if they like the pics, they'll call. Also, I don't have to re-print the flyers after a price change.

Gabe Sanders e-PRO REALTOR®
Premier Realty Group
www.GabeSanders.com
www.TreasureCoastFLHomes.com

Gabe - It sounds like you use this as an opportunity to market yourself as well as the property.

I have not had much luck with flyers on the brochure box outside, they easily disappear with no calls, once kids getting out of the elementary school pulled them on a house and strew them down the street. The only call I got was from an angry neighbor to come "cleanup the mess." With the amount of inventory out there, I feel my brochure is better served being handed to the potential buyer viewing the house, not noisy neighbors or looky lou's. The best thing i did was make sure the my web page is on the sign and they can go there to find out all the info on the house.

I prefer not to put fliers in boxes outside the listing -- it discourages potential buyers from calling. The listing may have a price just above the budget but the seller may accept less -- I want to get the buyer in front of me so that I can work with them. If they don't call, then I don't get an opportunity to work with them.

I like flyers not only for my listings but every time I've moved. We always seem to drive an area when we move (which is frequently) and pick up the flyers in areas we like. Guess which agents get our calls. So much easier to remember the house too when you have a picture and description right in front of you.

Great topic ... I think that in a tough market, you need to do everything that you can to help your listing(s) stand out. Brochure boxes definitely help -- especially when a buyer has driven past 10 or 20 houses and you are the only one who has "given them" a reminder.

One of the early posters hit the nail on the head with the IVR tie-in. I recommend the same: use the brochures and provide as much information as possible - except the price. Instead of the price, I display "Call 1-800-XXXX code 133 for Current Asking Price." You know that you have a serious buyer when they actually call. Plus your flyers are always "current."

The other benefit to brochure boxes is that they are measurable. If you are putting 20 in a box and no response, something is wrong, bad neighborhood, pictures, price, etc. Regardless, it is something that you can talk with the seller about in an effort to get the property sold.

In addition to the listing sheet, I have an "ad page" with the IVR codes. The ads cover everything from foreclosure lists to fixer-uppers and affordable condos. I know that only a small number of the people grabbing a brochure will actually match the house, so I try to learn about them too. Again, this information can be shared with the seller (I.e. "Everyone who has taken a brochure for your $400K house is calling on the sub-$200K condo ad. Unfortunately Mr./Mrs. Seller, the people most interested in this area are looking for less expensive homes. We may need to re-evaluate the price so that we can capture those willing to spend more than the average shopper for this area."

Good selling,

Mike Hughes

Mike - I personally like to put the price on the flyer. It's the most important item on the flyer, then follows the size, bedrooms, bathroom, etc. Just my opinion. But I have this opinion from two thing. The first is asking my buyers, the second is asking my wife.

So far we have 43 people who use flyers, although some don't publish the price, and 17 who don't use flyers, and seem to have very stong feelings that it's not necessary in todays market.

Thanks to all of you you who have commented so far, I have personally tried every trick mentioned here, but some people haven't. This post will hopefully help someone decide how they should market property in the near future.

Right now, I have a a domain name for every home with a webpage and up to 50 pictures per home. But I depend on the flyer to direct people to the online information. Yes google will find it, but will the buyer know to look in google? I can't afford for my clients to miss any potential buyers.

Does that mean that the 800 numbers don't work? no, I just have more luck with all bases covered.

I use flyers and do list the price of the house on the flyer. I receive calls from buyers who are interested in the house and from sellers who are driving around the area trying to see what agents seem to be doing a good job. I will continue to use flyers. I haven't yet tried the 1-800 number but am thinking of doing that as well as not instead of flyers. Great discussion.

Harrison - I personally don't talk about the seller at all, we have laws about that in Tennessee. I'm only here for the house.

I have heard people say that if the price isn't visible, they must want too much for it. I don't think you are helping anyone by keeping the information under wraps.

Evelyn - I have been told by several realtors that they want buyers to call them instead of looking at the price on a flyer. Unfortunately, a lot of buyers don't want to leave a message on a listing agents phone, and then get a call 2 hours later after they have seen 10 other homes. They probably won't even remember what the house looked like.

Does this happen? You know it does. That's why these automated phone systems have been implemented. But they just annoy most buyers because after they listen to a recording, then they get a call from the realtor later. They just want to know the price. If it's attactive, then they want to look at the house. If it's not attractive, they go to the next house.

My point is that a lot of realtors are looking at this as the best way to capture more business, instead of the best way to sell the property. Once again, are you doing what's best for your client.

Karen - I agree. And if it's priced right, I want everybody to know it.

Vicki - I've used the 800 number on an entire neighborhood for a year. The results are less than favorable. However using flyers in another area, not only did I get more calls from buyers, I also had listings from homeowners in the neighborhood. Would that have happened without the flyers? who can say.

As a loan officer I have offered many agents financing flyers but most seem really uninterested. I even designed an excel spreadsheet that allowed them to print their own (with my info and weekly rate update) but most never used it.

I am a L/O, but I have also been a buyer and I like flyers. When you are out with the wife and something catches your eye... its nice to get an idea of what the price is. In this market I would think sellers want every possible thing they can get!

Olan Carder
www.charlottemortgageonline.com

Olan - You are right, And it usually helps in most price points to show what payment option could be.

As a buyer, i usually don't remember the homes I see without taking a flyer (it has to have at least one picture). If I'm responible for representing the home, then I need to at least make every effort to inform potential buyers about the house.

I had a listing in this market for 6 months (not a long time in the Modoc County market). I had a flyer box outside for that entire time, kept it stocked, flyers disappeared and didn't get a single phone call on the house. I removed the flyer box and 1 week later had 2 calls. I'm convinced that in my market, flyer boxes are not a good idea.

Flyers with no price work best for me! They've got the information about the home there, they're obviously driving through a neighborhood with 'similar' pricing and NOW they've got me to call regarding the price! If they don't have an agent, then great; if they want to see the home, they've already got me on the phone to set up the appointment! Also, if there is a price change, you don't have to worry about changing your flyers either!

Debe in Charlotte

I am an avid fan of flyers. I make a deal with my owners ahead of time and supply them with 100 and ask that they keep the box loaded DAILY with at least 20. If I have other listings nearby, i put the list and details on the back so that they can see what else is available. Flyers and brochure boxes work if everyone is on baord and consistency is maintained!

Thanks for the post!

Debe - You have a good system working.

Russell - I like your style. If people are looking for information about real estate, give them as much as you can.

I have mixed feelings about the flyer boxes. I do want potential buyers to call because I think given the opportunity to sell the home over the phone is important. If all the information is on the flyer, there would be no need. So...I agree with Debe, leave the price off!

JUL

2008

Very interesting blog!!!!

Given what I do for a living, it's incredibly insightful to read the various responses here. I love the fact that everyone has their own unique experiences with flyers, good and bad. By the way, I feel the need to preface this by saying that I am NOT hijacking this blog nor selling anyone on our company by commenting here. Please do not make that accusation. After all...it's very difficult for me to respond on a blog like this without it somehow sounding self-serving. I do not mean it to be whatsoever.

With that said, I'll share another story with you.

Dee Messing, a top agent with First Team Real Estate (California's largest independent real estate firm)...started using us about 5 years ago. One of her first calls back after getting her first few flyers went something like this:

"Dave, remember the flyer you did for me on Bluebelle Court in Temecula?"

"Yes, Dee....of course I do. That was only about a week ago. Did it sell already?"

"Nope. BETTER!!!"

"Um...forgive me Dee, but what could be better than it selling??"

"I got a call from a couple who already own a home in Murrieta (a neighboring community). They were out driving various neighborhoods looking for a home...and collecting up flyers. They don't want to spend more than $1.2 million on their next house. Bluebelle Court isn't the kind of home they're looking for at $499,000. BUT, they absolutely loved the flyer. They haven't listed their home in Murrieta yet. It's worth $500-600,000! They called me to list their home because of the flyer, and asked if I could help them find their new home. I'm taking their listing tomorrow night, and showing them property this weekend."

NOTE: She listed their home for $599,900 and wound up selling them a new home for $1,100,000. Almost two million dollars worth of new business off a 50-cent flyer!! Not a bad return.

I wish there was a way to retype a recent post I did entitled "A flyer will NOT sell your listing...but...".
It's an interesting take on this exact topic from a slightly different perspective. However, it would take too long to retype and probably wouldn't be appropriate here. It's probably still somewhere in my blogs if interested.

In any event...I really enjoyed reading each and every one of the above comments...and for obvious reasons, I LOVE these kinds of marketing discussions!!

Dave

I have been having the same struggle; flyer or no flyer. Your blog has generated some excellant ideas and I will begin to use some of them immediately! I can't wait to see if they work as well for me.

Thanks,

Krista Abshure

I was just thinking this, this morning. I just picked up a buyer from my flyer box. They ended up not going with the home, but we are searching out for the perfect one for them. They work, USE THEM!!! I cant put signs up in my area, the flyer box is one little way to get around that.

Never ever....until today, we have used for two listings that have no signage allowed in the developments.......keep a good thought they work.

Susan - If the information on the flyer is what they are wanting, the next step would be to see the house. If it's not what they want, then you don't waste their time. That's why buyers like informative flyers.

Krista - You are seeing the power of Active Rain. We don't all agree, but we do have good ideas. Some work better than others, it depends on your market.

Kim - You seem to be in the majority in this post. Congrates on the buyer.

Dan - keep us informed on how it works. I believe that flyers work better for my sellers than anything else I can put on the property. I make sure all of the homes have a great website and blog, but the buyer may never see that.

David - In my market where i have customers from $150,000 up to several million, it pays to match the advertising with the property. I've seen some homes sell with just a mls sheet in the flyer box, and I've seen some with 5 page booklets that sit on the market forever.

Larry,

I know you stopped by one of my blogs...and I really appreciated your comments! Thank you for that!!

And if you read my post about flyers NOT being able to sell your listing (I know....that sounds weird coming from a flyer guy, huh?)...you'd know that I totally agree with your last comment above!!! Most properties sell because of the co-op nature of the MLS. If a flyer aids the sale at all...great.

But flyers are almost exclusively meant to showcase who YOU are as a professional Realtor and marketer! When I sold real estate, my marketing materials were virtually untouchable by the majority of my competitors. And it was funny to watch how sellers reacted when they saw them.

They suddenly weren't interested so much in how long I'd been in business, or how much knowledge I had...or how low my commission might possibly go. It seems like their only question was: "Are you going to do THAT kind of marketing on OUR home???"

Why yes, Mr. & Mrs. Seller....I most certainly AM!!!

And I made sure everyone in the neighborhood got one of my flyers. I always did mine on cardstock with UV coating (an extreme high-gloss finish)...so they really looked amazing. It got to the point where I started feeling bad for the agents who were:

a.) NOT using flyers (most of the neighbors were already drawing the conclusion NOT to use that agent)

b.) Using poorly printed inkjet flyers (neighbors could see that the agent was at least trying...but not quite impressed yet.)

c.) Using dayglow green 10th generation copies...or MLS printouts (sellers know that's taking the easy way out...and aren't convinced an "easy way out" agent is right for them).

Flyers are a marketing tool for YOU....not the property!!!

Dave

I think flyers are VERY important to the seller, the potential buyers AND the neighbors who are considering selling their home in the near future. It is almost a sneak preview into the other type of marketing that you will do for the seller. I use a graphic designer and have them printed on glossy card-stock paper for 98% of the homes I sell. Based on the flyers alone, I've secured two listings this year. Overall, I say thumbs up to flyers!

I usually use flyers / brochure boxes, but I don't list the price - I want the interested party to call me. If there's too much information, people might make a decision before you even have a chance to explain some of the reasons for the price. I also ask the sellers to add flyers to the box and to put only 6-7 at a time; I've had people take all the flyers for reasons unknown.

I think it a crime that agents are too lasy to fill their flyer box. Or the idea that they think it is better to call the agent, doesn't make sense. Flyers give the agent a chance to tell the good things about a property. And, if they look at 4-5 in an afternoon, the flyer lets them remember which one had the blue carpet.

I like flyer boxes. If they like what they see, they will call. If agents were smart, they would put in a second sheet like I do announcing if you are looking for a realtor, call me.

David I believe that you are correct . In some markets the look of the the presentation can be as important as the subject itself.

Guy - IT's your opinion, and I respect that. But not everyone likes to market with flyers

Lanita- Thanks for the comment. I'm sure everyone here would like to have more customers, the only question is what method works best for the seller of the property

Jim - I've had flyers disappear also, and I've also had people tell me it was another realtor who did it, her name, phone number, and the time she did it. I was not a happy guy.

Kerry - I'm thinking about going to a higher impact presentation for my flyers, not for the buyers, but for neighbors who want to list.

I like fliers, even if they don' want that perticular home they have all my information on it.

Hi Larry - Our team does not use flyers. If a buyer is serious enough, and genuinely interested in a specific property, they'll make the call. We tell our sellers that a flyer cannot accurately convey the spaciousness, details, or feeling of a home, and some buyers may eliminate the home just based on price. We would rather have fewer, more serious buyers call us so we can tell them more about the home, schedule a showing, and overcome any financing obstacles they may have.

JUL

2008

Larry,

Okay...I can't help myself. From our correspondence together...I hope you're okay with what I'm about to do!! LOL!

This is in response to John's post above.

John...with ALL due respect (I mean that sincerely!)...you're approaching the whole flyer thing from the wrong perspective. Stop thinking buyer...and start thinking seller. I want you to ponder something. The brochure below is for a 2.8 million dollar property. Dee got this listing because the seller saw the same type of brochure that she did on a property down the street from this one (that one was 2.4 million). THAT seller listed with Dee because she shows these at her listing presentations....and she winds up totally "owning" her competition.

Please go back up in this blog and read my comments which talk about a flyer NOT being to sell the property...but rather to sell YOU!

She also doesn't put the price on her brochures...because the market changes too quickly...and she doesn't want to keep having to reprint. So the verbage says "For more information (including price), or to arrange a private tour of this magnificent home, please contact Dee at the number listed below".

If you're like most people, your reaction to the inside photo on this brochure is "Wow! Cool house!" Guess what. You can't see the back of this home from the front of the property. Without a flyer, potential BUYERS may not be muttering "WOW! Cool house" either! That wouldn't be a good thing, know what I mean? They may have never called.

I have a proposition for you and your team.

Let me design a simple single-sided flyer for one of your current listings as an experiment. I'll pick up the tab for the design. YOU pay for the printing ($39.00 for 100 on semi-gloss thinner-style paper or $49.00 for thick cardstock with an ultra high-gloss finish <---go with that one...they're beautiful!!) Note: I wish i could do this for everyone...but I can't. Although Larry...since I'm doing this on your post....AND you're looking for higher impact marketing anyway...you should give me a call!!

But John, here's the deal.

With a professionally laid-out flyer, you'll obviously see the seller's reaction (it will be more positive than you can imagine). You'll wonder why your team isn't doing these on a regular basis. You'll also discover that the seller can't wait to show these to everyone at their office. Their co-workers will see your flyer. Some of them will even have their homes listed by another agent (perhaps another one who doesn't use flyers)...and you'll wind up picking up that listing the day it expires.

But here's what else you have to do for me.

You and your team have to hand deliver 15-20 of your new flyers to the homes surrounding the subject property. Knock on the door...and say: "Hi, I'm John Novak with Keller Williams Realty. My team and I just listed Mark and Cindy's home across the street...and we want you to have this information piece in the event you have any friends, family, or co-workers who might be interested in knowing more about the homes we have for sale in this neighborhood."

You'll get a call...maybe a week later...maybe a month later....maybe a year later...and it'll go something like this:

"Hi John? This is Tom Smith. I don't know if you remember me or not (you won't but that's okay). You listed one of my neighbor's homes three months ago, and stopped by to give us a flyer. Well, the wife and I are thinking about selling OUR home now...and were wondering if you could come buy tomorrow night around 6:00 pm?"

When you get there...they'll have the flyer you gave them. It happens every time.

P.S. You'll leave with the listing. Gosh, I just love this stuff!!!

Dave

Larry: GREAT POST !!! I still use flyers... I kept using them even with a call capture system. I wanted to see which recieved more calls and the flyers worked hands down. I have even co-oped listings on the back of the flyers. On thing I really like usingnow is this:

john -If it works for you. then it's a good plan.

david - thats' a fairly detailed description of how to get more listings using flyers. But I like it.

Roland - I also tried both systems at the same time, and the flyers generated more calls. I know this is not what the call system sales people like to hear. They really pitched hard to our office about the cost savings of not having to print flyers and drive them around every week.

Lisa - This post should answer any questions you might have about using flyers.

I think a lot of it is geography. In urban, more technologically advanced areas, the texting/IVR/call capture systems are probably very effective. I live in a more rural area and flyers here seem to still be the norm. Even if the agent has the 800# call capture, they still have flyers available. Great post and debate on the subject.

Amy - This has been an education for me, and I now believe that flyers will work anywhere, other technologies will not. At least not yet. My previous career was in information technology, and my department was responsible for creating massive amount of reports for a large corporation. For years, our goal was to eliminate paper reports, and we used every technology available. But for some applications, paper is still the easiest and most reliable method of communication. It's sad, but still true.

Very intersting post, remember what Gary Keller always says, "stop doing what isn't working"

Jim - That's true, but make sure that you understand the problem before you try to solve it.

True that every area is different and its probably a good idea to experiment and see what works in your area and what doesn't. If you cannot put out real estate agency signs, the fliers is probably a great idea. I hear Gary Keller has a new book coming out called "The Shift" ( I think thats the name of it).

I always use flyer. I will never put the price on it because that is the only thing people call about. Flyers are about making the phone ring and for getting your name into the neighbors homes.

Larry, they are still pretty common in my market. A lot of our sellers ask for them.

Roland, what kind of results do you get using that rider? It's interesting, I've never seen one like that in my market.

Not only do we make sure all of our listings have flyer's in the box, we create a website for each property we list. It is a great marketing tool for listings. The biggest benefit of the property websites is that it allows us to provide a lot of detailed information to potential home buyer's. If your MLS system is anything like ours, it only allows six pictures of a property. I have had listings that I used all six before ever entering the home. Home buyers want as much info as possible and as quick as they can. I feel that brochures and the websites are just part of how we should market a home.

Sandra - I'm not sure abiut the price on the flyers, it seems like some think it's in the best interest of the seller if that's included. If it's in the buyers price range they will call. If it's not on the flyer, they may assume that it's too high, because most people do not want to call a realtor and get voice mail.

Kristina - A lot of people would like to get rid of them here, but they are still the best option available for sellers. Most busy realtors do like the time spent creating and managing the paper.

JUL

2008

The flyers seem to "fly" out of the box and it becomes challenging to keep it filled. However, if it brings in more traffic, its clearly worth it.

Go Green and Use Audio Tours.

JUL

2008

I work in an area that has a lot of 55 senior communities. Most of them do not allow flyer boxes and some don't even allow a yard sign. The sign has to be posted in the window. I do make up a nice home book to leave inside the home for prospective buyers looking at the house. I use the call capture system on the sign and in all advertising. I do get a lot of calls from this 800# system, and like someone said in an earlier post, occasionaly you get someone that gets upset when you call them, so GET OVER IT, and move on!!

Susan BeVille

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty, Ocala, FL

Susan@SusanBeVille.com www.susanbeville.com

Fliers are great for neighbors. some think its a waste of time, but neighbors have friends.

Finding viable prospects interested in buying real estate is an accrual of a number of media forms. To cut any of them out of your bag of tricks diminishes your chances of getting the maximum number of people to speak with.

Those who don't use flyers when there is no restriction against them, in my view, seriously impede the marketing of the home AS WELL AS the marketing of THEMSELVES to others who may be considering listing their home, too.

When you list a home, have enough flyers printed to last the term of the listing. (So what if you have to throw some away when you sell if...who cares?) If your seller will remain in the home until it sells, assign them the duty of keeping the flyer box full.

And impress on them how important their participation is going to be,

And I frequently ask my clients for their Christmas card mailing list, and send one of the flyers to each on the list who lives in the area. I can't tell you how much business this has brought me.

It's interesting to see how Realtors from other States do "real estate!"

Empty flyerboxes have always been an issue--why even bother to put a box! I have never sold a home from a sign but have gotten buyers! Signs are great for us Realtors, but I have often wonder how good is it for a vacant property or a property with a sign for year!

Signs don't sell real estate.....Realtors do! Just thinking out loud!

Rhonda - My idea of green has presidents on it. I believe in saving energy, but not at the expense of my clients.

It's always better for my seller if I get a phone call and have a chance to sell the property. I never use info boxes.

Lisa - you are right, neighbors are a good source of business.

Bill - i like the idea of the christmas card list.

I'm still with the old fashion way of business. Yes, still doing flyers in the boxes, and even more than that, instead of waiting for the neighbors to come take half the flyers when I fill the box, I walk 5 houses up and 5 houses down the street, and 10 more across the street. 20 flyers delivered to the neighbors' doors that give me an excuse to talk to 20 potential future listings.

JUL

2008

meli - I think it's a great idea that I've intended to use for years, and never seem to get it done. how's the response to that type of marketing?

Edie - if it works for you, and you believe that it's the best thing for your seller, then stick with it. Nothing works if you don't believe in it.

We use flyers in conjunction with the 800 number---no price on the flyer or the recording. We also advertise many of our other listings on the back of this flyer with the prices on those----great way to give the potential buyer another reason to call.

I have been a buyer myself and most of the time I wanted to see that flyer, if only out of curiosity, even when I knew I couldn't afford the house. Maybe I just wanted to see what I was missing and what I should be saving my money for and what I might be able to get for my money when I could afford it. Flyers can be a service we provide to a lot of future potential buyers.

Pat - interesting that you have a recording with no price. What's the point in having it.

Sallie - I agree with you, buyers just want to know more about the house. The most important thing according to surveys is the price, bedrooms, bathrooms, square ft. If it's interesting then they will want ot go inside.

Great post and one that has gotten lots of comments - I have been in the real estate market for over a year and have always used an 800 number and the only way that I call them back is if they leave a message and my responses have been awesome - I say to do whatever it is that works for you!

Larry, on one hand on the other - On one hand, I do not think that flyers sell houses by themselves. On the other hand, I do not plan on stopping using them. They are a great way to keep your property, your name, your number, etc... in front of others. Obviously, we know that the web is the way to go, but neglecting the little extras like flyers... I think is a mistake.

I am admitedly a newbie in the business, but I am more partial to the advances in technology that can replicate the flyer boxes. I use single property website and post riders on the sign (for example, see 30Jefferson.com). I also like the 800# call capture technology and more and more the text messaging capabilities like this company: Mobile Real Estate ID

Granted, I live and work in an area outside of Boston where my clientele is pretty tech-savvy, but I feel technology is offering options to broadcast property details without the use of flyer boxes.

Oops....Maybe I was confused. I definitely use full-color brochures to market my properties. I just don't leave them in a box on the yard sign. I distribute them by hand to potential buyers as open houses and showings. Nothing beats a beautiful, info and picture-packed brochure, I just don't want to leave them for the neighborhood kids to pilfer, that's all.

Norma - Thanks for the comment, I use the 800 number also, as well as the single property website. But I have found out that even with all the technology that i love to use, people want the flyers. The reason is they can keep them to look up the property when they get back hone, if it's something that meets their needs. Most people who get flyers from my listings have buyers agents, they just don't want to spend every day with them.

Stephen - I agree with you, and we may be wrong for some markets, I just haven't seen it yet. I have one listing in a neighborhood with 12 other properties. I have the only flyer box in the neighborhood. Guess who gets most of the calls.

Mike - I'm sure in your area that's a good idea. I don't seem to have that problem with any of my listings

We don't use flyers but anything is helpful in this market.

JUL

2008

I use flyer boxes on some of my listings. I'll give they flyers to the seller on an owner occupied property and have them keep the box stocked. That way the flyers look fresh and not weather worn.

Debbie - i'm assuming that you have success with this. A lot of people are reading this, and we haere about the yes do, or no we don't. What i am not hearing is comparison numbers. let me know if you have any.

Flyers may be a bit old fashioned, but they can still be effective. It's easier to drive around and take a flyer than to write notes about each property one drives by. Shoppers can go through their flyers, see the picture again, and use the flyer for their additional notes. Yes, there are easier ways, but this works for people who have not adapted to using computers. Believe it or not, there are still a lot of these people and they're buyers too.

Ralph - i think people with computers use the flyers to identify the homes that they like. Most of the listings that i have get seen hundreds of times online for each one that sees it in person. i know that a lot of people see the house online after they pull a flyer from the box. How do i know? They tell me they do it.

JUL

2008

Absolutely you must have flyers in my market. I work in a resort market so people on vacation drive around and look at property for fun. Being one of the flyers on their stack could result in a new buyer lead . . . if your flyer looks great!

What are you doing Flyers for -- the buyers who want information or the sellers who want promotional product they can touch and feel. Sellers want professional marketing.

You can also do flyers in a virtual way with the single properrty domain sites out there like ListingProducer.com or TheListingWidget.com. Sellers can give out their address and buyers can find it easily. Buyers can also chose to keep it once they have purchased the house to let their friends know what they bought and are moving to.

So do it virtually or connect with an easy to produce flyer service that does it for the best price out there. WebUSMail.com is an excellent tool to use.

Scott - I include the property domain on each flyer, it's a 1 minute process with point2agent pro websites, all of my listing get thier own domains, along with up to 50 pictures, possible a view, and a virtual tour. An example would be www.2044keene.com. However, after interviewing several buyers, I've concluded that most people will not write down the domain name and then take the time to look it up. However if it's on the flyer, and it's in their price range, they will. If they don't like the property, they can also look up any other real estate in my area.

JUL

2008

Wow ! I think this subject has the most reaponses I have seen in a long time. I have to agree with Larry about the flyers. My personal experience while re-locating and house hunting (prior to becoming a Realtor), I would drive through neighborhoods looking at homes and pull flyers. My husband and I would them preview them together later and decide which ones we wanted to see or disregard. Since we didn't know a realtor in the area, we called on the listing agent to see them.

When I ran across a home that did not have a flyer I didn't bother with it. If the home didn't have a flyer w/ a sale price on it, I felt there was something wrong with it, it didn't want to be sold, it was out of my price range, etc... I kept moving on, especially since there were so many similar homes on the market. Not providing flyers to prospective buyers with the home details and Agent contact information on them is like listing the home as an "Exclusive right to sell" and not being true to your clients who are trying to sell there homes.

It would be interesting to do a survey as to days on mareket with homes that used flyers vs. didn't use flyers. :)

dd-I agree with 100 percent. I don't know why all of my competitors think that flyers are old school, and don't work, but I hope they keep doing it. I want their customers as well as mine.

JUL

2008

Flyers are a great tool. My team leader has some of her own properties listed and on those we advertise our other listings. We also send out postcards - old school made and still makes us successful.

AUG

2008

Regina - Some things always work, and some need to change. i agree with you.

AUG

2008

One of my clients called today, they just wanted me to know that they were running low on flyers. Some people see that as a negative, but I actually like it, because we both know that people are looking at the home.

AUG

2008

IVR technology is the way to go included with a high end flyer. The key here is to capture the buyers info and satisfy the seller with the flyer. The buyer will always call if they are truly interested or they will go to the website provided. Keep the expensive card stock flyers inside for serious buyers and lower end flyers outside without the listing price. Sellers always expect the flyer. It doesn't matter if it helps sell the house or not. They have been trained to have a flyer box for 50 years. Satisfy them and provide them. It is very important to use the 800 number call capture system. If you aren't using it then you missing out on potential buyers. If you are an experienced agent remember that you should not be returning the call captured calls...your buyers agent should. You should be pounding the phones hitting listings only. Signs in the yard will shoot you to the top in your market. Buyers agents will forever be behind the seen. Look to create a total system that has worked for the top agents in the country. Its always been and will forever be lead generation, prospecting and follow up. Flyers are a satisfier to the seller and a lead generation tool if used correctly to create buyer leads. The best advertisement any agent can do right now is to provide and 800 number with a free recorded message on a list of short sales and foreclosures. Most buyers heard the buzz and want a deal. Its about lead generation.

AUG

2008

Spenser - Is it the best for your seller, or just best ofr you? Most buyers I've talked to haven't been very receptive to IVR's. THey just want to know about the property. If it's interesting to them, they will call me. If not, they want me to leave them alone. I've heard that enough to know that they mean it.

SEP

2008

I do flyers and the texting system - trade them off. I have more people that pick up the flyers than the texting system. I like the texting system but sellers seem to like flyers as well as buyers - some just dont know (cant imagine not knowing how to text these days) but I have heard that.

SEP

2008

Nicky - I think it's just the convenience of having the document with pictures that make the difference. We still read paper documents, even though we can get everything on a screen. Studies show that people read paper print much faster than screen print.

I use flyer boxes in addition to other advertising methods for my sellers. Wouldn't do it any other way.

I fill them on Thursdays, for two reasons.

1. It gives me a chance to get out in the communities where I have listings to 'check' on my listing. Are the sellers/renters keeping the home and property in good showing condition, are there any areas that might deter a buyer from calling when they are out driving around? Also, just a good time to call the sellers and say great job - your home looks beautiful!

2. Gets the info box filled and gives me a potential chance for talking with neighbors. When they see me working for my client they will call me when they're ready to list! I love being a REALTOR!!

Shar ~ www.NeurothProperties.com

Larry: Flyers are great, if they still give a buyer a reason to call..like leaving off price. I still get the most calls from listings with no brochures.

Chris - My point on this post is that you can probably get more buyers for yourself from a sign with no flyers. But for your seller, it's not the best. A lot of people just drive by and never call or remember the house because they don't have any information, and they don't want to call a realtor and get voicemail.

So do you do what's best for you, or your seller?

Shari - I like your idea, and I think I'll try part of it. But I want to fill the flyer boxes on Saturday morning. More neighbors are home, and I might just catch someone in front of my listing.

It is fine, if you answer your phone. I have many times run accross this and wanted to know the price so I call the number and get a VM of the agent. S/he gets back to me days leter after I already searched the net to find it. Persona;;y I find it a little annoying. At least put a laminated one up that is stapled to the post.

Casey - I know that some people are just stubborn about this. You can read these comments and see that some people are very defensive about why they don't want to use flyers. It's always about them, not the client.

OCT

2008

I can't stand houses without flyers. I usually just pass them by and don't bother looking them up online. it was differenct when we had a smaller inventory.

I usually do not do flyers. They are not that predominant in my region. We see lots of e-flyers, though, sent to our contacts (potential buyers) and other agencies as promotional. I've had a couple of clients insist on putting flyers out. After they printed their own, watched a few hundred color copied flyers go bye-bye and not receiving one valuable lead, they quit printing them. I've found that putting something on my sign that says "for more information, visit my web site," this works much better as our economy grows more concerned about eco-friendly alternatives to paper.

Flyers, like anything else is just another of many ways to capture leads and of course potential buyers for listings. If as Realtors we knew exactly where a buyer would come from we would certainly save a lot of money.

I would prefer using IVR or a name rider directing people to a property specific web site. But there are many people who donot want to call ANY phone number and there are people who don't have internet access at home......hard to believe, but true.

When I do use flyers a try to make them as attractive as possible with limited information in hopes that the more serious buyers will call me or visit my web site.

Jacksonville Real Estate Smiley

OCT

2008

Mike - I agree with you and all I can say is that it's just one more way to promote the property.

OCT

2008

Kevin - I guess some people just don't really want to take the time to manage the flyer boxes. As far as ecology goes, most people don't know that we have more trees in the US now, than we did 200 years ago, so I usually don't mind using a natural reusable resource, especially if it will help get my clients real estate sold.

OCT

2008

Right on Larry.

I keep my flyer boxes full by putting the sellers in charge of them; gives them something to do and they can see firsthand one of the marketing tools I use to get their house sold.

Additional trees are a crop in the south. Paper production companies typically plant 2-4 new trees for each one they harvest so they're not going to run out of trees anytime soon (or anytime later either.)

OCT

2008

Jim - My father-in-law has a tree farm in Mississippi, and he would laugh at the idea that we need to say trees by not printing flyers. Recycling the paper to keep landfills down is nice, but really the lack of trees are not a problem in the USA. You are right, the sellers like to see flyers moving.

DEC

2008

I have been experimenting with using my voicepad IVR recording number on the flyer instead of a price. The result has been fair. I have had some people call the recording but they won't answer their phone when i call them back. And I call them immediately. I'll keep updating this post as my experiment ages.

JAN

2009

One month later - I still use flyers, but now instead of putting the price on the flyers, I use an IVR phone number. It seems to be working, even in this tough environment.

I've had several opportunities to talk to prospective non-represented buyers who were in the process of jsut looking. It still hasn't caused a sale, but it has generates some prospective business that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

MAR

2009

My flyers have generate some business, but the market has been slow up until very recently. I think having the IVR number on the flyer instead of the price is very helpful in capturing buyers.

APR

2009

Buyers Want Flyers. I am actually starting a service that will refill flyer boxes for busy realtors in Central Florida and would love to hear your opinions on my website www.BuyersNeedFlyers.com. I would like opinions on the site itself and on the prices. Do you think they are reasonable?

DEC

2009

Larry-

Flyers are fine, what is not good is empty flyer boxes.

Also, waht about the theory that you don't put the price on the flyer?

For me I find that annoying and don't believe you are starting off on the right foot with your buyer.

IMHO.

jim - I agree that empty flyer boxers are bad, so I try to not let that happen. As far as not putting the price on the flyer, I use an automated voice system AVR to play a recording of the current information. THe price is always correct, and I get a text message when they are listening to the recording. as you might imagine it does help generate leads, and get more people into the homes.

I don't but am seriously reconsidering in tandem with Voice Pad.

Most people in my area use flyers, but I don't. I recently sold a house because I did not have a flyer.

A buyer was in town for only a short time. She had her own agent but called my IVR system on a house. I immediately returned her call. Our conversation told her much more about the house and the sellers ability to vacate quickly than she would have received from the flyer. She had to make a decision that day so I called her agent, set up the showing and she purchased the house.

I believe that many people look at flyers the same way the do most other advertising. They are finding reasons to eliminate the house. My IVR has a recorded description of the property along with the price. Then I can call them back to tell them more.

I believe it is more valuable to a seller to have a list of numbers from people that have called a recorded description on his property than a bunch of flyers littering the streets and thrown in the trash.

I like the text message idea...I'm going to think about it a little more.

DEC

2009

Marty - You would have still sold the house if you use the same process that I do. I do not put the price of the home, I put the IVR number on the flyer

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Larry Brewer

Nashville, TN

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Benchmark Realty LLc

Address: 7127 Crossroads blvd, Brentwood, tn, 37027

Office Phone: (615) 371-1544

Cell Phone: (615) 512-7853

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