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MEETING NEW PEOPLE, IN ANOTHER PART OF TOWN...Part 1

By Valerie Osterhoudt

Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

September 26, 2008 12:07 PM

This coming weekend, weather permitting, I will be working at a neighbor tag sale. I've been told by the woman running it that there will be 6 to 8 families there selling their wares. Maybe someone is going to sell items with the idea of selling their home down the pike.. you don't know. When I heard about this, I decided to partake.. this way I can also (hopefully) sell things I don't need or have ever used. There are so many things I have that are NEW in the box.. go figure. Anyway, I'm diverting.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to meet new people and mingle with them and have it be in a less stressful environment.. such as an office. The people working at the tag sale and ones coming by will see how I present myself and how I work with people. So if they are looking to sell their home, or buy one they will get a glimpse of what I can do for them.

Has anyone else tried this?

Oh, if you are in Cromwell CT on Sunday, September 28th.. come on by 26 Elm Road anywhere from 9am to 1pm. I'll be there.. it will be great to meet you.:)

valerie osterhoudt

There seems to be some interest in this idea.. I'll blog about this at the beginning of the week to let you know if this is something that is a new avenue to try.

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

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George Souto

George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT

Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, events like this are great networking, it is a good way of getting known in the community, and you never know when someone is thinking of selling their house.

Sep 26, 2008 12:11 PM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

George.. I think this idea is a good one for everyone concerned. It could be a win-win situation for all. I might get a client.. and they will see how I work.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 26, 2008 12:17 PM

Cindy Leiterman

Resource One Realty, LLC - Green Bay, WI

Green Bay, WI

I've done this with my mom's house. We got her to upside downsize and I got to meet people who, in the future, will be having their own yard sales with the possibility of eventually putting their houses on the market.

Good luck & take care.

Sep 26, 2008 12:23 PM

John Mulkey

TheHousingGuru.com - Waleska, GA

Housing Guru

This is the kind of creativity that will help sell homes. While a few may think it's a waste of time--and they're probably not doing much business--it's an opportunity to network. New approaches are needed. Some work; some don't. But the successful agents are those who are willing to go into uncharted territory.

Sep 26, 2008 12:45 PM

Toni M. Rose

Prudential C. Dan Joyner Realtors - Easley, SC

Easley SC Real Estate

What a great idea you've had. I think it's a very good thing to participate and meet as many new people as you can. Very smart.

Sep 26, 2008 12:50 PM

Jen Bowman

Keller Williams on the Water - Holmes Beach, FL

Realtor - Anna Maria Island & Bradenton FL

Valerie, it is a great idea. I went to volunteer at a charity yard sale this summer. I was helping to clean up at the end of a hot day. I was wearing my Realtor ball cap on and looking rough, I'm sure. Someone pulled in to ask if anyone knew anything about the neighborhood up the road. Well, I sure did. She and I have been out looking at property since. It's a great way to network and makes you feel good for being involved in the neighborhood.

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Sep 26, 2008 01:33 PM

Vickie McCartney

Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY

Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Valerie~ That is absolutley a great way to meet new people and chances are someone will be thinking about selling... great way of thinking outside the box! Vickie

Sep 26, 2008 01:40 PM

Teresa Harris

Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC

Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Hey Valerie, no I have never done this but it sounds like a plan. Please let us know how things go. Good luck and take care!

Sep 26, 2008 03:16 PM

Trey Thurmond

BCR Realtors - College Station, TX

College Station , Texas Homes

Tag sales are a great place to mingle and make good contacts.

Sep 26, 2008 03:44 PM

Debi Ernst

St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO

GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Valerie - That really is a great idea. It's good to meet new people and mingle with them in different activities... :)

Sep 27, 2008 01:04 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Cindy.. I'm glad to hear this had a positive effect for everyone.. gives me hope for tomorrow. Thanks.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 02:45 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

John.. You are right, creative is what will keep the serious realtors afloat. I'm willing to try anything new.. for you never know how it is going to work out... Let's keep our fingers crossed.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 02:47 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Toni.. Thanks for commenting and giving me a boost. I think I might blog about this after it has happened to update everyone if this is something worthwhile to do.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 02:48 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Jen.. Thanks for commenting... I'm going to have to get one of those Realtor baseball hats. Did you get it from you board? I wish I had one for tomorrow.. too bad it is Saturday and the board office is closed. You have no idea, how great of an idea that hat is. Great way to promote yourself, in a soft way... CONGRATS on acquiring the buyer.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 02:57 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Business can come from some of the most unusual places. You just never know.

Now get out there and work that crowd!

Sep 27, 2008 02:58 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Vickie.. THANK YOU. I'm trying to come up with ideas that will help all of us. I'll be doing a follow-up blog to let everyone know how it went. I REALLY like Jen's idea of a baseball *Realtor* hat. What a great way to sell.. and not be overbearing.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 02:59 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Teresa.. I will be doing a follow-up on this blog next week to let everyone know how things went.. who knows.. this might be a win-win for everyone. We get to meet people in a relaxed envirnoment, and also sell our things we don't wish anymore.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 03:01 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Trey.. Have you done this before? Have you had a tag sale/yard sale? How did it work for you? I'd like to hear about it. Thanks for commenting.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 03:02 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Debi... I just hope that the weather holds off. It is raining here today, and we have postponed it to tomorrow knowing this. Keep your fingers crossed that Hurricane Kyle (which is out at sea) stays there.

I'll let you know how things go.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 03:04 AM

Valerie Osterhoudt

Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT

ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Craig.. I'll be out working the with the crowd to make everything go smoothly.. who knows I might even have fun doing it.

valerie osterhoudt

Sep 27, 2008 03:06 AM