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Post Cards...Are They Archaic?

By Kate Elim

Real Estate Agent with Dockside Realty VA 0225142975

November 23, 2007 07:40 AM

I send out post cards. Do you?

I send them WHEN I LIST a new property. If it is a house I use 2-3 interior shots and 2-3 exterior. If it is land I take photos from the road unless it is waterfront than most of my shots will be of the waterfront, lake, boat shelter, if there is one, etc. If it is off water land I include photos of the community area where there are boat slips, the ramp, beach, and possible a picnic area or other amenities.

WHEN IT SELLS I send out another card often with all or some of the same photos on a different color card stating price, how short a time (if it was), and always promoting my experience and other pertinent information.

SOLD card Lake Anna, VA

Each card has my #s, Web site, and mentions my personal blog. It is another means of marketing to get my name (and picture) out there. Recently I listed a home at Lake Anna for $849,000 and had a contract in two weeks. When it sold I had cards printed mentioning the sale price of $825,000 and emphasized the fast contract and the need to price right. For our area with the current market conditions and during this season, that was a pretty quick sale.

FRONT and BACK VIEWS

SOLD card back LAKE ANNA, VA

I was wondering if others are doing any mailings like this and if so, what results are you having. It take a bit of time to do the cards even using a template but I enjoy it (the pictures have been taken for flyers and the Internet anyway) and I often share the fun of adhering labels and stamps with my hubby, daughter, grandchildren, sisters...whoever accidently comes into view. (Somehow they get wind when several hundred cards have arrived and they try to steer clear.)

Unfortunately the pictures and text do not look very sharp after the scan. Please take my word for it, the cards are nice quality.

Time will tell if this will be effective. I have had calls referring to cards I sent some time ago so some people must be holding on to them. The fact that I get enjoyment working on the text and photos is a BiG bonus.

DO YOU SEND CARDS LIKE THESE?

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Vivienne Seaman

RE/MAX Eagle Properties - Drummond Island, MI

Sadly we do not get to Virginia very often, infact only been there twice since my daughter in law began to teach there. But! how I loved Virginia. The kids took me up the the Blue Ridge is it highway? We had a picnic in the clouds. It was cold but wonderful. I love traveling. I am waiting to see Virginia when the Rhodedendrons bloom.

Hurrah for the Hokies!

I like RE/MAX, I never considered any other corporation at all. Did you read Missy Caulk's blog tonight. I was sorry to read that. I was looking forward to meeting her in Traverse City for the Regional Conference in Feb. She is teaching a workshop on blogging.

I work out of my home office 4 days a week, in Cedarville Mi 2 days a week and in my Brokers main office 1 day a week. I opted to start in my Brokers office two weeks ago so I could shadow her around. With this soft market over here I just don't have the sales to be learning all that I want to learn. I feel like I am cramming for the big exam and haven't taken the course yet. I get panicky a lot of the time.

G'nite, it's late.

Nov 24, 2007 02:49 PM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Kathleen, those post cards are great. You emphasize results which draws more buyers to you.

Nov 24, 2007 02:58 PM

Jennifer Horton

Trin Hong Real Estate Inc. - Novato, CA

I have gotten a great deal of response off of my postcards. The key is to get people to respond and to not throw them right out! I have gotten listings, buyers and plenty of name branding off of them. I even had one customer keep my card for a whole year before he called me to list his home! I think they work if you do them the right way!

Jennifer Horton

Trin Hong Real Estate Inc.

Realtor

Marin, CA

www.JenniferHortonSells.com

Nov 24, 2007 06:43 PM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Vivienne...You will love Virigina in the spring. The azaleas and rhodadendrum are unbelievable as well as all the flowering trees.

The view is spectacular along the Blue Ridge Parkway. On of my sons lived in Roanoke for three years. During that time they owned a home up on the side of a big hill with an amazing view across the valley to the parkway. In fact if you were at a particular viewing area you looked across and could see his house (with very good binoculars).

I did read Missy's post and commented. She is in a tough spot. The time while you are trying to make a decision such as this is often the worst part of the whole thing.

I sounds as though you have things worked out so you can get the benefit of different types of help and motivation while still being on your own.

Sorry for the late response. I actually gave myself a break from AR...just to see if I could do it. I did!

Kathleen

P.S. I'm a traveler also. Been to all 50 states and six of the seven continents...only one more to go.

Nov 26, 2007 04:10 AM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I am doing postcards ...but holiday ones....as I type the other printer is going :)

Nov 26, 2007 05:38 AM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Sally...Thanks for the affirmation. When I hear from folks like you it reinforces my resolve to continue sending out my cards. I enjoy choosing what I'm going to see and what I want to convey plus doing the actual mailing is not a burden for me.

Cheers, Kathleen

Nov 26, 2007 05:53 AM

Mehmet Met Dilsiz

FND Photography / M2 Real Estate Solutions - Midvale, UT

Kathleen,

from my experience, (i interact with a lot of agents due to my job and my wife is one and so are her friends) it's half and half where the one half is a little bigger and they don't send them out. But the others are sending the JUST LISTED and JUST SOLD card religiously.

The key is to either send them every time or not at all... Personally, i've heard agents who praise its benefits as well as some agents who are ready to bet you that it doesn't work...

It's a matter of your marketing budget and where you would like to spend it... I think they are well worth it, if you send them out consistently...

Nov 26, 2007 06:04 AM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Met...I believe you are right. Consistency is vital. I actually feel good (for what that's worth) when I do send them so that keeps me going. I have gotten responses...not as many as I would like but everything takes time and one good listing makes the world of difference.

Hope business is still good for your wife.

Thanks, Kathleen

Nov 26, 2007 06:31 AM

Rob Arnold

Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL

Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

I do just listed and just sold postcards on my listings. I also send them to expired listings. It brings in a few buyers and sellers, so it is worth it to me.

Nov 26, 2007 11:30 AM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Rob...It just takes a few to make it worthwhile. Good for you.

Thanks,

Kathleen

Nov 26, 2007 01:06 PM

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

We only use just listed and just sold in areas that seem to have a greater potential for more business....otherwise, it is our experience that it is a waste of postage....we have only ever gotten 1 buyer attributed to a just listed card in years.

Nov 27, 2007 12:59 PM

Paul Slaybaugh

Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

Hi Kathleen, I don't mail postcards as a matter or course on all of my listings, because I don't think two mailings is sufficient for target marketing. I do heavily farm a planned community in Scottsdale called McCormick Ranch. I darned sure mail just listed and just sold cards in there because I already have a concerted advertising campaign in place. I have found that direct mailing can take many months before producing results, so I find it a waste of time and resources to mail outside of my target area.

Nov 27, 2007 01:08 PM

Mehmet Met Dilsiz

FND Photography / M2 Real Estate Solutions - Midvale, UT

Kathleen,

the postcards won't have the highest rate of return as a way of marketing, however the cost of sending postcards and your return makes the whole difference. If you get 2 responses and you are breaking even, you are still doign fine. Because you are getting your name out for free :)

Nov 28, 2007 09:09 AM

Anonymous

Sally & David...I send out the just listed and sold cards also. I am trying to target potential sellers. I'm pleased with the results.

Thanks for your comment.

Kathleen

Nov 29, 2007 06:32 AM

#146

Anonymous

Paul...I really should have made it clear. Lake Anna is my target market. It is my farm. Even though it is not fully developed, we have enough homes to make it more than worthwhile. For instance, My last several transactions have been waterfront homes, all were my listings. These cards were sent out to people that owned waterfront homes with a value of approximately $600,000 or higher (mostly higher).

950 have been sent out on this particular home. I'm using the cards as another means of securing higher end listings. The same people are getting the cards with the only difference being in the homes and the particular card I selected and the pictures/text.

Cheers,

Kathleen

P.S. One of my sisters thinks I do it only to have my face plastered all the place...mainly in the dumpsters! That's because when I'm up here in CT (which I am right now) I get her to help me.

Nov 29, 2007 06:42 AM

#147

Anonymous

Met...You are right. The cost is not cheap when you factor in all the costs, and because I basically do the mailing myself, time. But you are also right that it doesn't take much to pay for it if I get one listing for several hundred thousand dollars or more. Even if I don't get one with each mailing it still seems to be working out OK.

Now it I could take pictures like yours, I'd be designing and sending them out just for the heck of it.

Take care, Kathleen

Nov 29, 2007 06:58 AM

#148

Bart Olszewski

Keller Williams Landmark II - Jackson Heights, NY

I used to send out just listed/just sold, but after not getting any feedback decided to stop. Now I only send cards to my existing leads as another way of staying in touch. Good luck.

Feb 01, 2008 03:28 AM

Kate Elim

Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA

Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Bart...Because these cards are so personalized, with photos of the house and a good description, they seem to be getting more notice. I tried the generic sold and listed where you just added a bit of information such as price or address and they didn't make any real impact. The ones I send now are much larger, 5 x 8.

The important thing is to keep in touch and you seem to be doing that with your existing leads.

Thanks for coming by and for your comment.

Cheers,

Kathleen

Feb 01, 2008 03:36 AM

Uniqca V. Powell

Samson Properties - Washington, DC

Brightwood / Takoma Neighborhood Spec.

Hi Kathleen,

I, too, use QuantumMail.com when I send out postcards. When I have concentrated on sending these, I always receive a phone call. I do not ever remember sending these postcards and not receiving at least 1, 2 or 3 phone calls. I have also received a listing because they thought that felt from looking at my photo that I am a nice person, thus, they called me.

Also, I have received other Listing Prospects/Potentials, as well. Also, as someone mentioned earlier, when you continue to receive listings in one area and your postcards continue to go out, it is huge. Homeowners thought that this was my area of specialty. The postcards gave them that impression. This is why I now am trying to market my niche geographic market area with postcards. Am trying to locate a listing that my office has sold or listed, and I will send out WE Just Listed or WE Just Sold X or Y.

Very nice post. This really solidifies that I should continue to send out postcards, and like you said earlier, just dump the paper advertisement all together because I most certainly have not received a lot of propspects from these.

Thanks again,

Uniqca

Feb 23, 2009 05:15 PM

Anonymous

Jerry Reimer

Hi Kathleen,

Personaly I find that business is about relationships, the more and the better relationships you have, the more business you will get and sending out Greeting cards or Holiday cards to past customers or other personal contacts not with the intention of recieving rather to give, in other words by not advertising in these cards rather write them a personal message showing them your appreciation can be powerful and eventually it results in many referrals.

An amazing program you might want to have a look at is https://www.sendoutcards.com/85480 it is very easy to use, you can manage all your contacts with it, you can add pictures to your cards and even upload your own handwriting font. The cards are great quality and very low priced. I could go on and on about great features of the program but why don't you just try it for your self. You can send your first 2 cards for free.

If you would like to know more feel free to contact me.

Jerry Reimer

Ph. (204) 612-3703

jerry@sendafreepostcard.com

Dec 08, 2009 08:10 AM

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