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I don’t want any solicitors on the property, please leave

It's not the warm welcome I was looking for, but I understand you get lots of people knocking on your door. The good news is, I'm not going to knock on your door. Why would I? You are standing in your flower garden in your front yard.

This usually gets a laugh or two, but at this time of year that doesn't work. Do I remember that house from last spring where I did this song and dance with the owner? You bet I do and do you think they remember me? I'm guessing they do, because I wasn't asking them to buy or sell, I was asking them about the neighborhood.

That's right, if I have someone who doesn't want to be "SOLD" I ask them why they love the neighborhood so much. I want to make sure my buyers know why others have moved here and why they aren't planning to move anytime soon. This usually changes their attitude toward me real quick, because it is now about them and their neighborhood and not me.

But, I'm not done yet! Now it is February and spring is quickly coming up. When I last talked to these people they were working on their beautiful flower beds in their front yard, so I know they love to plant and keep their yard beautiful. Heck, that is why I took that picture during the spring that showed how much better their yard was than anyone else's in the neighborhood.

The reason I'm stopping today is to tell them that I don't have a green thumb and I need their help with my neighborhood news letter. I need their permission to post the pictures of their yard last year and ask them to write an article for my news letter telling others how to take care of their yards and make it as beautiful as hers was.

Now, that we have the letter published, I am going to distribute the news letter to every neighbor and then give them a copy or 15, so they can show it off to their friends and relatives, not because of me, but because of them.

I've done this every year in two or three neighborhoods and every year I get at least one referral from one of my new found gardening buddies that didn't want me to talk to them about real estate... and you know what? In the past 3 years, I still have yet to talk to any of these people about real estate, but they certainly have talked about it to me.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
www.IFoundYourNewHome.com

Posted by Todd Clark (Broker) (503)524-9494 (Beaverton, Oregon Real Estate Expert) on 02/05/2009 01:52 PM

Comments (16)

Door Knocking in the Offline Marketing Channel

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16 Comments on I don’t want any solicitors on the property, please leave

FEB

You must know them all by first name by now :)

What a great idea-marketing yourself in a different way.

I think it is a very smart form of advertizing. Good work. Now get out of my yard. JK

What a great way of really getting out there and working a neighborhood. I will add that to my list of ways to try to get some business and to get some exercise walking neighborhoods.

awesome....door to door or flower bed to flower bed

Now that is an excellent idea! Love it. Hmm, wonder if I could get somebody to write a guest blog to the neighborhood blog... ~Rita

Brilliant!

Todd - me being a gardener there is a saying..... "you must know all the dirt in the neighborhood" !

Thanks for the tip. I hope it works well for others.

Great marketing idea, way to be out in the neighborhood and F2F.

FEB

You see now that's talking about neighborhood expert. I really like that idea. Would you mind sending me a copy so I can take a look?

Todd,

That is a great way to get to meet people and get your name out there.

Todd,

I love your approach and, if you don't mind, will incooperate it into my subdivision walk. Great idea sir.

FEB

Jennifer – I’m working on it. I know I do within about a ¼ of a mile of my house, maybe even a little further.

Pat – No, I’m marketing them and I just get the benefits.

Nate – OK, I will – lol

Marty – I am amazed at how many agents don’t walk neighborhoods saying they can’t get business that way… Good, you just keep thinking that and tell me where your farm area is again?

Flagstar – Flower bed to Flower bed, let us call it what it is. - lol

Rita - Hey, how come I didn't think of that? OK, come on spring!

Bruce - Thank you!

Christine - Oh, I've met those people also, that do know all the dirt. I love the ones that know the divorce is coming. Hmmm, where should I mail my information to about selling their house because of a divorce?

Angelia - I hope many of you use it, as long as they don't start working my farm area.

Chris or Karen - I do like to where my boots when I walk.

FEB

Jeannette - I will look for a copy of last years and e-mail it to you. I've moved since then and I honestly can't remember where I put half of my market materials from last year.

Brenda - I would rather get their name out there for their neighbors to know who is making the neighborhood better. (I'm just the messenger.)

Don - You aren't anywhere near me, so you go right ahead - lol

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