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Was the Pet Rock a crazy idea?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

New ideas sometimes come dressed up like clowns or fools. It can be hard to tell whether you're looking at the next great innovation or just another flash in the pan.


Wright FlyerA hundred and three years ago, a couple of bicycle mechanics were considered nut cases. Until they flew at Kitty Hawk.

Thirty three years ago a marketing executive packed pebbles in boxes, gave them names, and became a millionaire selling Pet Rocks. Genius or just plain clever, they had crazy ideas that placed them out in front.

Pet rocksSo you can understand why I was feeling pretty smart the other day when I heard about a new website called BuyerHunt.com that lets sellers search for buyers. According to an Inman News story, "The site allows prospective home buyers to create a free profile that describes the home they are seeking." Hmmm...sounds a lot like the Buyers4Your Home feature that's been on my website for several years! My B4YH allows sellers to scroll through a list of potential buyers. I run an "ad" for buyers. It includes information about area, price range, school system, and other features the buyer is seeking. I keep the buyer's information confidential and make the connections for interested sellers.

When I first created the page, some people thought it was a slightly crazy idea. Now, after several years, the Buyers4YourHome page is one of the most visited on my site. People looking for a specific home go there to post their needs. Sellers scan for a possible match for their home, often before they even sign the listing agreement. I offer this service to other agents who have a specific buyer. I run an "ad" for them. And that "ad" sometimes turns into a listing for me.

Crazy idea? Maybe. But don't dismiss it. You just might be ahead of the curve!

 

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Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/RealtorĀ®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Not long ago I visited your site and thought your idea was brillant! Yes, folks I do go snooping on web sites!
Nov 27, 2006 01:46 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I am so glad that you are a snoop! Brilliant, yep I like that description. Thanks for the comment.

I got another lemon. Guess I will have to make lemonade.

Nov 27, 2006 02:50 PM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...
 Hi Margaret, I just checked out your website, I love you tag line "Sell you home with Margaret Rome". Hard to forget.
Nov 27, 2006 04:51 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
You always have such wonderful ideas, Margaret. And you're a Poster Child for single agents everywhere. You do much more than many agents with teams.
Nov 27, 2006 10:05 PM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Hi Margaret, I love that feature on your web site. Very unique. I guess they don't make a box big enough to keep you in:)
Nov 28, 2006 12:19 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Marti, I LOVE your website and I LOVE your art. What talent! That tag line started out with "market" and was changed later to "Sell". It has been very successful for me. I look forward to seeing more of how you are using your fabulous art!

Sharon, a poster child for single agents; everyone needs to know I married (13061 days ,who's counting)but practice as a solo agent. You are an amazing agent who shares so much.

Bryant, I don't think boxes are made large enough for us!

 

 

Nov 28, 2006 04:08 AM
Carole Cohen
Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office - Cleveland, OH
Realtor, ePRO
Margaret, what I love about your post is that you see all the plusses in creativity; and you see the 'new kid on the block' as validation and not a threat...it is no wonder you are so successful. Great words of wisdom here.
Nov 29, 2006 05:00 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Carole,If you are trying to make my day, you  succeeded! I love working with new agents, I love the fresh new ideas, I love sharing what I have learned over the years in this wonderful business. I have just spent the morning speaking to a group of agents from another RE company. I spoke about technology but opened it up to questions and it was awesome hearing the newer agent's questions and comments.

 

 

Nov 29, 2006 05:48 AM
Jay Thompson
Zillow - Seattle, WA
Nice post (used with permission :) )
Dec 14, 2006 11:29 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

I updated this post from 2006 and it is showing up as a new post.

Jan 06, 2013 11:17 AM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Just another arrow in the quiver of Real Estate. Great Idea!

Jan 06, 2013 11:22 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

I like the idea.  Many buyers are searching for very specific properties.  Going to write my post now.

Jan 06, 2013 12:45 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Margaret, back in the 90's, the General Counsel for Pardoe Real Estate came up with an idea to allow buyer agents (or buyers) to put their profiles on a buyer's MLS.  It didn't take off, but I do think it might be a good idea. 

Jan 12, 2013 02:25 PM