real estate marketing ideas: Open houses rose from the grave! This really worked! - 04/21/08 09:30 AM
I have said for the past two years that I just don't do open houses.  I have placed open houses where I do print advertising, in the grave and closed the lid!
Last weekend one of my sellers asked if she could borrow my open house signs because there was a "neighborhood yard sale" taking place with at least 13 neighbors having a yard sale at the same time.  I agreed and took over my open house signs.
My seller called me this a.m. to tell me "10 couples" came in to see the home and at least 3 of the couples showed … (32 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Homes are still selling and yours can too - 03/18/08 08:12 AM
Having recently returned from the Re/Max International Convention in Las Vegas I was priviledged to be among a lot of Super Stars that are selling a lot of property in this current market we are in.  The numbers I heard on awards night were staggering to say the least.  I even sat with a man on awards night that closed over 20 million in dollar volume near the Kansas City real estate market in 2007 where 25% of the homes are in foreclosure.
My point is that homes are selling everywhere USA.  People still get married, still get divorced, are still relocated in … (19 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Are you crazy? Don't ask for the referral! - 02/27/08 04:01 AM
Yes, many of us have attended seminars and had coaches that tell us to always ask for a referral when talking to past, current and future clients/customers.
As Realtors, we recognize the need to touch clients via phone, yet making daily calls often provides little immediate gratification. So, we find reason after reason not to make regular calling a bigger focus. But, many of us have also come to know that when we make those consistent calls, we create customer loyalty and a steady stream of business for years to come.
I have written posts in the past where I have indicated … (43 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Marketing >> Bi-Lingual Hot-Lines are the future - 02/18/08 08:23 AM
The big national news the week of the 11th of February, 2008 was the phenomenal growth of the Latino population.  The Census Bureau release figures that show the U.S. population grew by 2.8 million between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005.  The Census Report says Hispanics accounted for 1.3 million of that increase.
The Population Resource Center cites statistics showing the average Hispanic woman will have three children in her lifetime; it's 1.8% for non-Hispanic whites.   This means Hispanics will makeup a large percentage of the population in years to come.
Think about this if you are Seller of real estate in … (13 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Business cards - Don't leave home without them! - 02/15/08 04:17 AM
I was at a recent luncheon during Martin Luther King day recently and just inside the entrance door to the luncheon I heard a man dressed in a nice business suit ask a young professional looking lady for her business card.  She responded to the man by saying she didn't have her cards with her.
This past Tuesday at our office meeting, those of us that were on time were asked to place our cards in a hat for a drawing at the end of the meeting.  There were actually 2 Realtors out of about 10 of us that were on time … (36 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: A tale about two very different Real Estate Agents - 01/23/08 03:59 AM
Any market that changes and offers new challenges separates the men from the boys so to speak and this is when one can see the real difference in skill.
It is easy to make money hand over fist as many did in 2005 and this does not mean a Realtor can survive when the market changes.  The real difference comes when one has to work for every potential buyer that is qualified to purchase real estate now.
I see some rookie and many experienced Realtors doing the same thing.   Most are still waiting for the phone to ring and are asking the office … (25 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Realtor presentations - Is yours top notch or "drive-through"? - 01/12/08 05:21 AM
Starting out the New Year it is good to look at everything we do and see if any part of our business needs a tune up or a complete revamping.
I have met with many buyers and sellers over the years and have seen what my competition is doing and what they are not doing.  Many presentations I have seen are very good, but most are what I would consider as "drive-through".
We are all influenced by what we are told to do and what our Brokers or office managers tell us to do.  While all this advice is good to an extent … (35 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: The Power Of A Phone Call - It could change your world - 11/08/07 05:22 AM
I have written posts in the past where I have mentioned that I have never mailed out postcards or newsletters and yet my business has flourished over the years.
What I do is make A LOT OF PHONE CALLS.  I also write a lot of hand written "Thank you" notes and if something major takes place related to real estate I will send information to a select group of clients.   The phone calls however are my bread and butter. 
I will call my past clients at least 5-6 times during the year and I go against all the rules by never asking … (42 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Don't "Follow The Leader" if you want more business - 11/06/07 01:57 PM
This goes against what most of us have been taught.   We are taught at a very young age to get along with everyone and just follow the rules of life and we all played "Follow the Leader".
As Realtors we are taught:
This is the way we obtain our real estate licenseIt will take 2 years to make any money in real estateYou need to take floor timeYou need to do open housesYou need to do every type of print advertisingYou need to send out recipe postcards to your sphere of influenceIn other words just "Follow the Leader" which leads me to my … (81 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Realtor Internet Marketing - Learn from the big corporations - 10/28/07 05:38 AM
Every successful business knows where their business comes from and know how to go after that business.  If they didn't they could not stay in business, it is that simple.
The Walmarts, J.C. Penney's, Ford, etc. spend a lot of time and money knowing where their business comes from and what they need to do to generate the business they need to not only survive but to become competitive and flourish.
As Realtors we also have small businesses.  We need to know who our market is and how to get that business.  Speak to any Realtor in your area and askthem what their … (35 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Business Cards - Who would have thought of this great idea?! - 10/20/07 08:04 AM
I wanted to share a wonderful tip I learned from my Ralph Roberts conference call 3 weeks ago that has already earned me a lead.
Ralph shared with all of us that when he goes into a restaurant he always leaves his business card with a hand written note on the back thanking the waiter or waitress for the great service, smile,  etc. and always writes their name if they are wearing a name tag eg:  "Thanks for the awesome food and great service Tiffany".  
He always leaves a healthy tip with these business cards.  The return he says has been amazing. … (103 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: The Latest and Greatest Realtor Tool Hands Down! - 10/11/07 04:19 AM
I don't know how many times I have heard that statement.  We live in interesting times and I marvel at the creative minds that continue to create new ideas and new ways of marketing products or services. I have lost count of the number of new listing sites and marketing tools that have been created and continue to be created. 
One thing I have always tried to do is to put everything into perspective and to always try to "think like a consumer" and think about what is important to them in the big picture.  What will get their attention and what will encourage … (34 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: My Space and Ebay for Realtors - This may surprise you - 10/05/07 05:13 AM
I was invited to join in on a conference call two weeks ago and the topic was lead generation and marketing.  The moderator made a comment that surprised me and he mentioned that one of the sites that has brought him and other top producers good results is MySpace.com  He said in spite of the negative publicity with the media several Realtors are receiving good leads from My Space and he himself has done quite well.  He encouraged Realtors to use it and setup a profile.  I always thought MySpace was for kids and the moderator assured everyone is was also … (40 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Craig's List Real Estate Ads with a new twist - 09/27/07 06:07 PM
Everyone that knows me knows that I am a big fan of Craig's List for advertising real estate and know that I have been blessed with good business generated from this great site.
The reason I have been so successful is because I have written "Creative Ads" that cause the visitor to want to visit my website Search Idaho Homes.  I do this by giving limited information and encouraging them to click to my website which is linked to every Craig's List ad.
In an attempt to "Think Outside the Box" I created a new ad today with a new twist.  I calculated how many … (132 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Advertising that works - 09/20/07 01:48 PM
Let's face it, very few Realtors that sell any kind of real estate were ever trained in writing skills, photography etc.  You can pickup any real estate publication in anytown, USA or read the vast amount of Realtor ads on Craig's List and you will see very few ads that generate good leads
I want to talk about real estate advertising on the internet.  Many Realtors have embraced postlet and vflyer for producing beautiful and even stunning home flyers that wow mostly themselves, the seller and if they are lucky, a buyer now and then.
Some time ago a friend of mine and … (46 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Exchanges >> Another tool often overlooked - 09/16/07 07:48 AM
With the Idaho Real Estate market changing along with the rest of the country it is those 5% of the 95/5 rule (yes, the 80/20 rule is history) that will survive due to "Thinking outside the Box".
I recently wrote a blog about how to correctly write Craig's List ads that can generate business and make sales.  Just like in print advertising, there are ads that do nothing and then there are ads that are lead generating machines.
There is another tool out there that has traditionally been used in farms, ranches and commercial real estate.  I am referring to "Real Estate Exchanges".  No, I … (28 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Marketing has changed >> Just like the rest of the world - 09/10/07 09:18 AM
I find interesting all the talk about open houses, print advertising, postcards, web marketing and on and on.
A point I would like to make is that technology has changed dramatically in the last 15 years and dramatically in the last 5.  If people still tried to do things with technology the way it was done 15 years ago they would be left way behind in this competitive world.
It should come to no ones surprise that what once worked 15-20 years ago in real estate is not working well in today's world.  Just like technology in computers, automobiles, airplanes, communication etc. has … (45 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Web Sites >> Is yours Pretty or Productive? - 09/03/07 04:24 AM
Many of you know I have been transcending from one template site to another Point2Agent site that will allow me more flexibility.   My goal is to have a local website that is attractive and allows me to promote all my residential, commercial, land and investment property.
I am not so interested in making it a "Pretty" site.  Instead I want to make it a powerful "Information Based site".
Too many of us have been lured by the desire to have a "WOW" site with flash, Color, and many "Pretty" Features.  Instead of going for the "Pretty" I am focused this time around for … (42 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Boise Idaho Home Sales >> Are open houses and print advertising the answer? - 08/27/07 03:06 PM
Real estate has been on the news lately and the latest report today, Monday August 27, 2007 indicates the median price of homes across the country fell for the first time in years. Boise Idaho is no exception.
The National Association of Realtors stated home prices fell for the 1st time in 11 years and supplies of homes are at an all-time high.  The report also states that home prices are expected to fall further through the end of the year.
Many Boise Idaho and other residents across the country are facing the dilemma of having no one look at their home, especially … (11 comments)

real estate marketing ideas: Real Estate Advertising >> Don't give away the farm and more - 08/27/07 04:44 AM
Early in 2006 I read an email that came from Broker Agent News that talked about the power of Craig's List and how some Realtor were reaping huge profits from it while other saw no return.
The email went on to say that when we post our listings on Craig's List to use the template Craig's List provides or something very similar and to make sure to insert a link to your website in the ad.  Give readers a reason to go to want to link to your website by saying something like "See virtual tour here".
Look at the ad I just … (29 comments)