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A 'Different' Approach for My Listings & Open Houses

This Sunday I will be holding an Open House for my Hilldale Listing in Mililani Mauka and decided that I wanted to use my show I created through www.realestateshows.com to pass out to the consumer on cd.

I also wanted to create the disk MY way :) (you can order the cd's from RES as well) so I had my husband burn it to cd. Since we have a cd printer he created (with my supervision) the picture that would display on the cd.

With four pictures on the cd and the name of the complex on the top and the address on the bottom, it will serve as a great tool for the buyer who tours the home. They won't have to dig into their memory bank to remember which property this was and will inspire them to put in that contract!

Or....the neighbor thinking of selling will see that this is a great marketing tool as well. New listing perhaps?

The next 'different' thing I've done is create a nice booklet with all pertinent information on the property so when there are agents showing their buyers the property they have the following:

Nice cover and a contents page in a thin three ring binder to start with and all pages inserted plastic sheeting to protect the documents.
Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement is a plus as it gives the potential buyer a bit more information on the property. A birds eye view from the sellers knowledge of the property will give them additional insight.
Comparable Properties in the immediate area. Our MLS has a CMA Wizard to create a comprehensive CMA using sold properties and all the criteria and adjustable prices for each (i.e. sq/ft interior, additions, condition of the property and so forth)
The Association's House Rules so if the buyer has any questions about the pet limit, where to BBQ and so forth it's right at their fingertips!
Any Building Permits for walls, alterations, extensions, major electrical or plumbing work etc.
Warranties or manuals for the property for the refrigerator, automatic garage door, sprinkler system, ongoing termite treatment, alarm system and so forth.
Floor Plans, extra pictures, flyers and so forth are all added to the pocket of the booklet and I stand it up so they can flip right through it. (flyers in the front inside pocket, buyer/seller brochures in the back pockets along with floor plans to take with)

At the closing of the transaction I will leave this booklet behind for the buyer so they have all the information in one place to refer to.

Though internet marketing is surely top priority for my marketing for current listings, Hawaii Relocations, VA Home Loan Transactions, Hawaii Home Buyers and Hawaii Home Sellers, I do think it's important to keep the face to face material in the forefront as well. Though Open Houses may not be for all markets it's one of our area's main marketing tools due to our densely populated neighborhoods that make it easy to travel from one open house to the next.

Though these are not new marketing techniques my efforts will be appreciated.

At the very least it has my personal touch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 01/22/2009 09:57 PM

Comments (116)

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Originally posted at: Hawaii Real Estate & Relocations : A 'Different' Approach for My Listings & Open Houses

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116 Comments on A 'Different' Approach for My Listings & Open Houses

JAN

Hey Sally - Nice work. I am always trying to improve my "look" for the promotion that I do. Thanks for sharing!

That's very slick. Thanks for sharing some great ideas.

Nice. I will have to look into that. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful. This has got to impress your sellers, as well as the ultimate buyer - to remember you when they need to sell.

Sally, I like the CD a lot. Maybe somewhere on the cd cover you need your info. so it can work also as a business card in case they don't actually watch the cd. Nice presentation book.

Rick: You're welcome! I try to shuffle around the marketing tools and keep a variety going on and off line. In this sense it doesn't get old and stagnant :)

Rob: Just call me Sally Slick :)

Nate: Great...maybe it'll work for you too :)

Joan: I hope so...thanks!

Kristi: I plan to just hand it out to serious buyers/sellers. It gets expensive handing them out to any old body who is just coming to open house to be nosey :) In any event..I will now go home this evening and epoxy my biz card to the back. :) :)

Hi Sally,

Great ideas, thanks for sharing. Sellers should be impressed, However the impression made on buyers will without a doubt be a lasting one. Good for you!

Sally

Outstanding ideas, and readily applicable. Your idea about leaving the book behind is a very good idea.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Sally, Gary did a great job on the CD, very professional looking. Of course it was whit your supervision after all :) :)

WooHoo, You really are doing a wonderful job for your sellers. The CDS are very inexpensive way of getting folks to remember the property. Hey I'd hire ya!!!

BTW< I stole TLW'S candy. :)

Hal: Thanks Hal! I sure hope so...it's gotten a little slow out here so I need to get more out there off or online :)

Thanks Tom....hope it gives the showings a boost!

George: You know that! He couldn't do it without me :) :)

BB: GASP! I just knew you'd get into it. That's okay though...she put her order in so guess who that was for? And I tell you what...if I lived out there...I'd take you up on that for sure!

Sally: Sounds like you are really thinking outside the box and putting in some real creative thinking here. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut.

Looks like a really nice approach to marketing. Better looking than mine.

Good job Sally, I did not see anything different from what a professional realtor would and should do. However the part about leaving the book behind for the new buyer is a great touch. He'll keep it until the time he turns into... a seller.

Antonio

Sally -I make c/d's for my listings. I notice that people take them all the time along with the flyer.

Sally,

Wow, you really do a lot of work to present your listing. Aren't you a little worried about going too far with the booklet? I'm not sure that you do a service to your client when you prepare a CMA for the buyer, especially another agent's buyer. We all know that some agents don't prepare market information for their buyers and then you have to present comparables to make your case on price. But what if your price is high?

Regards,

Cameron

Love the CD idea - adding your contact information is a great idea also!

... yep, love this idea !...best of luck in your Open House !

Sally, CDs are used here in FL by some realtors. I think it's a great idea. Also love the idea about the very informative book. We create books that the buyers can take with them, but the HOA, the warranties, etc., those are great ideas and very powerful for a potential buyer to see and answer their questions.

I have always wanted to do that. I think I will have to investigate this too. Good for you and your clients for having such a hardworking agent.

Sally, Great ideas. I really like the book for the new buyer. Great sales tool and perfect personal touch for the new owner at closing. Not only that, but the creation of the book is a great way to gain the knowledge of your listing that most listing agents never acquire. Good job!

I read this with out looking at who wrote it.

I was about to tell you how impressed I was, this is an excellent idea.

Then I looked and saw it was you Sally, from you I'd expect such things.

Excellent! You earned that star.

Bill

Thank you...great ideas and good luck!

Cindy

Sally I think you are all set for that open house and with such preparation I hope you get a buyer on the spot. I love the idea of the visual on the CD so the potential buyer knows which property the CD is related to.

Sally - once again you have demostrated you are a leader in the real estate field. Thoughful, insightful, creative, concerned about the welfare of your clients, and doing the right thing to get the job done. Your sellers should be thrilled. I also do a homebook for every listing and folks love it. i continue to revise what I include.

I need to work on the CD label to use - your idea if a terrific one. But I think I would brand the front as well.

Great job.

Jeff

Thanks for the great ideas. I'm definitely going to try the cd, talk about leaving an impression with your sellers and buyers. Especially if you have a buyer come in that's not working with another agent. You will definitely stand out as the one that goes the extra mile!

After all the hours spent in front of a computer, doesn't it feel good to do something both non-traditional and non-internet for a change?

Aloha Sally,

Great info, clients just love those CD's. As for your book, another great idea, we have then personalized (ordered from the REALTOR trade shows) with our company name on them. For me having the disclosures available in advance helps minimize problems.

Have a great open house!

You are certainly on top of your game. Lots of great ideas and excellent execution.

I also have done similar folder. But before giving the buyer the book, I add a few more pages with more personal information such as phone numbers to the Utilities Companies, Supermarkets, favorite Restaurants and so forth... Lots of work, but great returns.

The CD idea is a great one!

Gonna do at my next open house.

Also, will add a few more pieces of info to my Book.

Sally, great idea! Good luck with your open. I really like the CD.

Sally - Great idea with the CD and good information in the book. You can also add a section of nearby attractions or community ammenities.

You have several great ideas that benefit everybody involved in the transaction. I really like the idea of the CDs.

Sally, thank you for sharing. I really like your ideas.

Paul

Sally, Your marketing skills are wonderful and absolutely beautiful presentations. I'll wish you luck but I know you won't need it!

Hi Sally, I like your CD plan. I always like to give my open house visitors more than just a flyer to take with them, and that is a great idea. I make up binders for my listings too, and include information about special features in the house that aren't on the flyer, pest report if done, neighborhood schools, restaurants, police, fire, etc., as well as some of the things you include. I have not put the disclosures in there, but that is a good idea. I also like that you make it pretty, instead of just plain data.

Sally: This is a brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing your idea.

Good going, Sally! Some "back to basics" with a techno twist and some Cheeseman flair--mucho success to you. Congrats on the feature, too!

Both are excellent ideas -- hope they work to being new business your way. All the best.

Thank you for sharing, brilliant idea

Very classy. Open houses don't always feel productive. I don't see how a prospect or a tire kicker could leave without your information, CD, booklet etc. And unlike a business card, a tire kicker may just pass along your CD or booklet. Leaving the information behind for the buyer is a great idea and it means you are leaving your information behind as well. Someday that buyer will sell... or know someone... Very nice.

Hi Sally,

Great marketing idea. I love it. Thanks for sharing. I also appreciate the excellent ideas left by others. I have added a couple more pages to my presentation folder.

Hi Sally,

Great marketing idea. I love it. Thanks for sharing. I also appreciate the excellent ideas left by others. I have added a couple more pages to my presentation folder.

Sally, I LOVE the CD idea -- that's great! I do create a similar book for listings and usually include local restaurants, special events and neighborhood info -- as well as highlighing recent renovations, HOA info, etc. Buyers and agents seem to appreciate it.

Dear Sally,

Thank you for sharing...I have been doing these for years and you never know where they end up. I actually leave the CD's at the listing all the time. I had a homeowner who gave one to a teller at her bank. She used to carry the CD's with her! Well, guess what, under the title of it's a small world, that buyer's fiance was referred to me by a mortgage broker two days before my homeowner gave the CD to the teller. Guess who sold their own listing. See, what you have to look forward to!

Those are great personal touches that will stick in the mind of potential buyers and your sellers. I am sure if done right it will gain many referrals for being creative.

JAN

I showed a property over the summer where CD's of a photo slide show were the full content. I put that on my to-do list at the time, but didn't. Thanks for the reminder!

I like the CD idea... that's pretty nifty. We've been using the listing books, for lack of a better name, for a while and it is handy for folks to have all the information on the house in front of them.

Very nice Sally. You can add your presentation to your own Slide Share account at www.slideshare.net. You create an account and upload your presentation as a pdf or power point in minutes. Then you can email your link or post it on Active Rain, Face Book, etc. You can view mine at www.slideshare.net/marketpathfinder to see how your presentation can look.

This is just another medium for prosepcts who can't make your open house or live out of town and want to view your listing NOW!

Dear Sally,

I could never really get together the CD thing, although it is a great idea. Had the software, but...

I really need to do our information book and do it as soon as I get the listing.

Great post!

Barbara

I've seen these discs but have not tried them. Have you used them before?

Sally .. nice post about what you provide at the open house for the benefit of visitors, proposed buyers, and the person who actually buys the house. Good going. Thanks and best wishes. Harrison

Sally, enjoyed your post and it is always good to try different marketing tools to see which work and those that don't. Thanks for sharing your ideas as I like that binder idea very much. Take care and happy blogging!

Sally, I love how you put your own spin on these classics. I hadn't thought of putting the appliance papers in the House Book. Love it. And I have yet to use the CD printer on my computer. It was one of the neat toys I wanted to try out and never made time for it. Wonderful way to use it. You're inspiring me to invest some time in that soon.

Sally -

Great job!

The cool thing here is you are creating this material without spending a lot of money.

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

I am so happy to hear from you with such wonderful information, thank you so much for sharing the info.

Sally, well done - you've really put some thought into what would help the consumer - kudos!

Sally,

I've been using CD's for a while now on listings and they are well received. We always have to be looking for ways to break through the noise of everyone else's marketing efforts. Thanks!

Rich

Sally,
A great way to set yourself and your listings apart (and above) others. I think you have a winner here!

A "house book" similar to what you describe is very useful. Have been meaning to use the "CD" idea but haven't gotten around to it yet. Yours looks great.

Sally...

I like the CD idea! With color copies getting more and more expensive I just might try this ...SOON!

Sally, Love love love the CD idea! That is a GREAT idea. Yep, the neighbors will be calling you when they want to move:) I am having a neighborhood open in February...you just gave me a great idea to set me apart from the other 7 agents that will be holding opens as well, lol. I do the home book as well and that always is a hit, isn't it? Alabama is a "buyer beware" state so we have NO disclosures..crazy, but true. Because of this, I have all of my listings pre-inspected and leave a copy of that in my book as well.

Okay, I'm off to start my CD :)

Great ideas! Very creative ways to set yourself apart from the masses.

Congratulations!

Hi Sally:

Nice Ideas. I like your creativity!

ToulaRosebrock.com

Very nice idea. Looks very professional. I have created virtual tours of the neighborhood with a front photo of the house and given them to expired listings that i am going after.

What great ideas! The longevity of the PR is awesome too! As a buyers agent I would love to see this in a home I was showing!

Sally, Very neat idea with the cd and the book. Let us know how your open house goes!

Hi Sally,

Like most of the comments, I prepare a book that goes to the buyer at closing and a detailed brochure that goes to all appointments. I have been looking for a way to incorporate a CD and you just gave it to me. Thanks so much for sharing.

Sis - You and Gary (to a lesser degree;) are so darn tech-savvy! I'm sure the open house will be a success or at least go a long way in differentiating you from the rest. A personal touch can go a long way.

You have some very creative ideas there. I particularly like the idea of the binder.

Sally - Great Idea. I have used the CD from Circlepix and it works for me all the time. It's a great listing tool also. Sellers love it.

Sally - what an awesome idea. I am always looking for something to do differently. Thank you so much for sharing, and it really is a great idea. I have a listing that needs to sell, that I may do the same thing. Thanks again for sharing. I appreciate everything I learn here.

Hi Sally, Very nicely done. I also like open houses and appreciate your sharing these ideas.

The CDs a great idea, and I love that you provide the building permits up front. Around here, listing agents seem to think that's the buyer's agent's job. But my clients don't usually want to wait - if they're torn between two, they'll go for the one that already has the building permits available!

Sally - Excellent work! I love the CD idea - very memorable, as you said. Keep it up!

Aloha Sally - Nice work for your sellers, and potential buyers. When we were selling RE we used to do the Home Information book very similar to what you have done, and it did always impress the sellers and buyers.We didn't try the DVD idea, because like you mentioned in one of the comments, it can get expensive if you have a lot of looky Lou's grabbing anything free. However today's market does require the extra mile to make sure you stand out above the rest of the crowd, so spending that extra money may be more important now than ever. Mahalo

I saw your binder and really liked it. Stuff like that let's you stand out from the pack.

Good Morning everyone! Wow! So many complimentary comments ....first of all thanks for all your input and extra ideas.

I received a couple of emails and thought I'd get more in depth about what RES means and how you can get there.

First of all, our wonderful member JEFF TURNER, of Real Estate Shows, has a special offer for ActiveRain Members. You can check it out by going to his blog here>>> http://activerain.com/blogs/respres and clicking on the ad below for the site for REAL ESTATE SHOWS

I tried it out for one day and joined :) and entered my second year around May. You can submit 15 photos for the show...add music and make flyers (he has embed codes for all as well as links for your mls) I personally use them for my blogs and create ones like A tour around Hawaii, my dog shadow and so forth. There is no limit when you can use these for your Localism posts too! And the best part? UNLIMITED. You can also download the show, burn to cd etc.

My printer is a CD printer. We print directly to cd...not a label.

Looks more authentic.

I'm glad you all enjoyed and that some may be able to use these ideas. I'll let you know how the Open House turns out.

Happy Happy Friday to all of you!

LIL BRO: Gary is actually the techie one. That's his job :)

These are GREAT tools! I would love to read a follow-up post; on how the CD went over with folks? Did it generate new business? Did it help sell the place?

Sally - thanks so much for great and different ideas. Talk about setting yourself apart . . . great job girl! I look forward to hearing about your open house and response from your invitees (and the home owner). That is awesome and once again thanks for sharing.

ps: I appreciate the info about a printer that print directly onto cd's. Very cool indeed!

Sally--You always seem to add that special touch to everything you do...Great idea!

Nice work. I am a huge fan of open houses....and I walk in everyone that I see. But rarely do you find much attention to detail.

Thanks for the post.

Sally, very creative marketing. I didn't know you could print on a CD like that!

Great items you prepared, Sally! We use RES also and burn off CD's to leave in the home, very similar to those you created. We do brochures but not a nice book like you have. Great idea!

Sally,

It shows that creativity and action produces great results. I love the idea of the home book, it was very complete and CD is aswsome.

This is going above and beyond Celeste. I will have to do this on my next open house.

I do CD's for the larger homes where there is benefit to having lots of photos. I create the show using Irfanview which allows the photos to be the size of the computer screen. CD's are great for buyers to take back to trailing spouses.

I like your idea of printing directly to the disc. Must look awesome to do it that way. I just use the glossy labels. Good job, Lady!

Great post. A very good reminder to me. I used to create that same book for my listings. Going to start again. I am also going to try the cd idea. My new printer prints direct on cd's. Thank you for sharing.

Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Sally for sharing. I have seen the Cd idea before but forgot all about it....I am glad you reminded of what great "little" ideas there are to help you and your listing stand out.

Sally,

Excellent use of technology and wise use of your time and marketing dollars!

Kathy Opatka, Re/Max Premier Properties, OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND

Thanks Sally for some great ideas ... I will incorporate them into my listing presentation tomorrow night! pippa

HI SALLY! Wow! I have been trying to figure out an easy way to make a CD show for clients and this seems like an easy way to do it! I am "challenged" in this area -- if it's really as easy as uploading photos, adding music and then downloading to burn on a CD - it's worth the money! No other special equipment needed?! Thanks for sharing this - it's great! -- Gabrielle

My partner I leave bound homebooks (which buyers are invited to take with them) at all our listings. We specialize in horse properties, so they can be very helpful for both buyers and their agents, who may or may not know much about selling acreage. We also include copies of any easements, a plat map, well report, septic report (showing the drainfield), aerial photo and outbuilding permits whenever possible.

What amazes me is how few agents leave any printed materials in the home. Having a resource handy for agents showing the home that answers many of the questions a buyer may ask helps make those agents better equipped to sell the home for you.

These are all great ideas. I really like the printing photos on the CD. What kind of printer do you need to print on the CDs?

Aloha Sally--

I have a few questions. Is this more of a primary resident/local community where your target buyers are local? Do Open Houses there get much traffic?

I work two distinct adjoining markets here on the Big Island. We can sit all day at an Open House in Hawi and not get one person through. I get good traffic down at the Kohala Coast resorts, but as true everywhere, it serves me better for meeting new prospective buyers for other properties than it does for finding a buyer for that specific listing. So now I'm wondering whether I shouldn't have two CD presentations with me: the one for that listing out on the table, and a more generic one in my back pocket?

Mahalo for the inspiration!

Beth Thoma Robinson R(S) - Hawaii Palm Properties in vog-free North Kohala

Sally, you are full of wonderful ideas and so kind to share them.

Sally, WOW look at that, Gary got you a start. Oooops I mean you supervised him into getting you a star ........ LOL

Hopefully the new buyer will call you when its time to sell! They will have your contact information on the book you leave behind.

Thank you all for the compliments and sounds like you all got inspired, reminded and motivated to get on the bandwagon!

We have just a HP cd printer specifically for that. I have a color canon all in one and a heavy duty laser all in one for work. We have a bunch going on in our house and everything at our fingertips....literally. We have just so much space lol!

George: That's right George...keep the story straight LOL.

I bookmarked this one. Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.

JAN

It's all in the presentation. You are blowing the competition away. Rock on....

Thanks! Great tips!

Hello Sally,

This is a great idea!! Thanks a lot for sharing your idea. I am sure going to use that for my future listings.

-Nila Patel

I think it would be really cool if you could get the cd out to all the local renters in your area...maybe too costly though. Or ... put the things in the booklet on the cd....I love both ideas though!

Nice package. Love the CD's, have been using them too and sellers like them very much. I think your extra effort creates a lasting impression and helps you stand out!

Sally- We use the RES shows on CD all the time for our listings and listing presentations. It is one of Nestor's favorite things to show the sellers:)

JAN

Sally, One thing that is done here to various degrees which we didn't do in CA is "Buyers Books" which are similar to your notebook only made for every showing. I bind them and include 18 photos, the features of the home, survey, floorplan, disclosures, HOA etc. I love your efforts!

Great job, Sally. I have a thin three-ring binder too and I put in the MLS sheet, property disclosure, plat map or survey, yearly utility costs and anything else that might be important to a potential buyer. It stays in the house throughout the entire listing. I rarely see this in houses I show to my buyers so I think it sets me apart. Thanks for the post.

JAN

Wow...I don't know how I missed this, but I am so impressed :) Nice job as always....I love your innovative style.

Thanks Kathy: Thanks for calling too...sorry, busy day at the office :)

JAN

Great Ideas Sally! You have really had your thinking cap on. I'm going to have to steal these ideas.

I have always believed doing things a little different from everyone else makes you stand out. Beth

FEB

Great ideas. My sister used to create a home buyer book to always have available at the property. I have gotten away from it but it definitely shows that you are a cut above the rest and very professional. I sometimes need reminding to show my seller's that listing their home and getting it sold is very important and deserves these touches.

FEB

PLEASE tell me what HP printer you are using for the CD's, and what program you use! I've searched all over the web, and seen many writeups. I thought Epson had the patent for direct CD printing in the US. Also, I've never seen personal results with the quality your picture shows... I've been working with my team to develop exactly what you are already doing! I bow down to your greatness!

Thanks for your help.

FEB

I like the idea of the CD. We do a home book similar to the one you do.

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