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Take a loaf… Can seller’s giveaways make a house sell?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

Yesterday I took a buyer out for the first time, we looked at a total of 4 houses, all in the Tigard, Oregon area, but the one that was talked about the most wasn’t the one that was the best looking or even the best priced, it was the 2nd one we looked at that gave away banana bread.

Making your house a home when selling

You see when we walked into this house the first thing we noticed was the smell of warm fresh baked banana bread. (It smelled so good) But, we continued to tour this house and when we came to the kitchen, there was the bread still in the pan. But, next to it, in tin foil was another loaf with a note. “Dear buyer, I hope you enjoyed our house, please feel free to take this loaf of bread as a gift”

Now, on the side of the bread wasa picture of the house and the address. This simple act was remembered throughout the other two houses we saw. They barely even noticed the next two houses that were more what they described to me in our initial meeting at my office.

But, when all was said and done, they ended up writing an offer on the banana bread house. They couldn’t stop talking about it and I have a feeling it had a lot to do with that bread and the fact that they got to take it home.

So, can such a simple giveaway really sell a home? It certainly did on my clients as they left feeling they had found a home ,not just a house. If you are interested in selling your home, give me a call, I would look forward to selling it and will even supply the bread!

 

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Comments (21)

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

What a great story Todd and what a nice touch with the note! I love it and will try that.

May 19, 2010 06:33 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I love this story.  I have a great recipe for banana bread.  I may just have to try this.

May 19, 2010 06:48 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

What a great marketing idea.  I'm sure the home was nice too, after all banana bread alone won't sell the home.

May 19, 2010 06:58 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Todd,

Wow! Every time I'm tempted to think I've seen it all some thing new shows up!

Bill

May 19, 2010 07:00 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

New concepts in selling homes, we are but amateurs!
Thanks for an idea for this weekend Todd,
Paul

May 19, 2010 07:05 AM
Donne Knudsen
Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA
CalState Realty Services

Todd - What a great story!  Hope they don't regret their decision when the house no longer smells like banana bread.  LOL

May 19, 2010 07:17 AM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Never underestimate the power of a first impression. What kind of market time did that hoouse have before you got there?

May 19, 2010 07:46 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

It's all about the marketing! you have to give the sellers and their Realtor credit for not only touching your buyers hearts, but for touching their senses too.

May 19, 2010 08:11 AM
Heather Fitzgerald
REALTY WORLD-Harbert Company, Inc. - Greenwood, IN
REALTOR Greenwood Indiana Real Estate

Todd, what a great and homey touch.  It is always nice when a property feels like home instead of just a house!

May 19, 2010 01:28 PM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Exellent story, Todd!  The emotional response when people walk into a home lingers.  The banana bread and gift definitely left a good feeling with this buyer. Great idea.

May 19, 2010 01:32 PM
Randy DeLaMare
Realtypath LLC - Salt Lake City, UT
Helping friends Realize their Real Estate Dreams

I like it. I'll bet you didn't call an hour before showing this one. I try to have something baking when I do open houses, usually cookies. It can cover some of the other odors. Nice touch with the note.

May 19, 2010 03:05 PM
Cal Yoder
Keller Williams Elite - Lititz, PA
Homes For Sale in Lancaster PA - 717.413.0744

I would have never guessed that banana bread would make the difference in the purchase of a home. It makes sense and the seller will be glad to have done it when he/she realizes how important that bread actually was.

Cal

May 19, 2010 03:08 PM
Marzena Melby
Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN
Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Todd, I absolutely love this story. It confirms that home buying is a very emotional experience. 

May 19, 2010 05:12 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Awesome marketing! A new dimension... aroma marketing... ;0) All kidding aside, we're all moved and impressed by "the spirit of the place." I purchased a home once based on a similar (yet different) concept. They were people like me, from the same town, similar upbringing, similar parents and grandparents. It was a diamond in the rough kinda place and their personality, sensibility, love, and great attitude permeated the place... I bought it.

May 19, 2010 06:28 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Todd, I'm planning on doing the same exact thing for an open house on a new listing I'm getting tonight. Whatever it takes right? :)

May 20, 2010 01:16 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Smart sellers.....it cost them pennies to make that bread and they made a sale from it.

May 20, 2010 02:37 AM
Leanna Putman
Shanna Selections, LLC - Enfield, CT

Quite a story, Todd!  Thanks for sharing it.   It pays to think outside of the box sometimes.

May 20, 2010 04:01 AM
Jill Schmidt
Aurora, CO

Smell is a very strong sense!  Plus, I know a lot of people who buy on that warm/fuzzy feeling - after all they are buying a home!

May 20, 2010 05:39 AM
Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

This is all because, afterall, we are not in the real estate business - we are in the happiness business.  And happiness (and memories of home) are often tied to eating food at mom's table. 

That is why, while the master-bedroom may seal the deal, it's the kitchen that most often sells the house. And a good smell there.....

May 20, 2010 08:25 AM
Juliet Johnson
Vizzitopia - St Johns, FL
Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing

I had a listing once where they homeowner baked cookies each time there was a showing and left them out with a kindly note.  Didn't help the house at all -- bad kitchen, weird layout, etc.

But I, too, love the banana bread story because it confirms all the things we are taught in Marketing 101.  So, I shall believe that it is in the Giving that there is Receiving!! ;-)

May 21, 2010 06:55 AM