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Is the real estate market now approaching *GIMMICKS* to get clients?

By
Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

Is the real estate market now approaching *GIMMICKS* to get clients?

 

It has been a while since I've written a blog, but this topic is just too important not to mention.

Recently I received in the mail a postcard from a competitor, who was soliciting customers (sellers) with the caption...

 "FLAT SCREEN OR IPAD!!

The postcard starts off with "Buyer's Beware:  Buying a home with ______  will result in a FREE iPad2 or a 42" FLAT SCREEN TV for your new home!"

This irked me no end.  Most of us, who consider ourselves PROFESSIONAL Realtors, work hard and do our due diligence to represent our clients whether it be a buyer or seller.  This is shown to clients by referrals, and prior work. 

Do we need to stoop so low as to now become (in my mind) a car salesman?  Shouldn't our reputation speak for itself.  Why use gimmicks?  Is this how you become the *best in your field*?

I double checked the properties listed, and there was one I couldn't find anywhere.. I tried surround towns, looked under *all* the statuses of Active, Closed, Withdrawn.. etc.  and couldn't find it. 

All I can say is LET THE CUSTOMER BE WARE.  Do research on a Realtor before going with a REALTOR that has to give you prize to work with them.

How do you feel about this... I'd like to hear your viewpoints.

 

 

Posted by

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR
(Accredited Buyers Representative)

Is a Full Time Realtor® with with Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell, CT who specializes in Homes and Condos For Sale in the Middlesex and Hartford Counties in CT.

VALERIE OSTERHOUDT REALTOR IN CROMWELL CT

valerie osterhoudt

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR ~Johnson Real Estate, Inc.
cell:  860.883.8889

email: Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR

website: www.CTrealtorMLS.com

 

Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

CHM... In my opinion, you are right.  It is what you do, and how you do it that counts.  Not what you can offer.

Mar 08, 2012 07:16 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Jordon.. Incentives go a long way.  This postcard was one where if read by a person looking to sell their home, should throw it away.  If a realtor is going on what they will give you, not what they can *do* for you.  Are you getting the best representating you deserve.

Mar 08, 2012 07:18 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Karen.. All Realtors help out their clients as much as they can to make sure a deal works.  But to solicit customers with *gimmicks* is not putting one's best professional foot forward... in my opinion.

Mar 08, 2012 07:30 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Eve.. AMEN!!!!

Mar 08, 2012 07:31 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

David.. Thank you for your comment.

Mar 08, 2012 07:31 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Valerie, it worked for years with banks. I think I still have a toaster. I'm not in favor of it, but if that's the level someone else wants to drop down to it's their business.  BTW the pan should be 9" square, my partner made a mistake

Mar 08, 2012 08:02 AM
Emily Medvec
eXp Realty LLC - Santa Fe, NM
Broker | Realtor | Serving Santa Fe & Northern NM

Valerie, the bottom line is all Realtors are not the same. Your example demonstrates this loud and clear. We would rather provide our customers with the information they need to make the best informed real estate decision for them. And when we negotiate to save our buyers time and money, they get professional service and the freedom to purchase what is important to them. Good to see you back here. Suggested.

Mar 08, 2012 08:17 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hey Valerie,  So great to see your name again.  This person will not be in business long using this kind of marketing. 

Mar 08, 2012 08:36 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Valerie - Thank you for sharing detailed quality information on is the real estate market now approaching gimmicks to get clients.

Mar 08, 2012 09:09 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, I have not run into that yet, so now you have me curious about who is doing it.

Mar 08, 2012 09:12 AM
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services Inc - Gulf Breeze, FL
Buyers Agent 800-309-3414 Pace and Gulf Breeze,Fl.

A lawyer should advertise a "get out of jail free card" LOL We do have a few that unfortunately need to do this

Mar 08, 2012 12:32 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Ed.. There are different levels of Realtors in this business... I just HATE the reputation this gives to the rest of us.  BTW.. The dish IS calorie free, right?

Mar 08, 2012 09:29 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Emily..  You are right, not all Realtors are the same.  This kind I consider a bottom feeder.  After all, this probably (hopefully) is the only kind that will respond to this *farmed* postcard.

Mar 08, 2012 09:31 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Will.. I'll have to take note and see if I see this person around in a year or two.  I hope to be back on a more regular basis.

Mar 08, 2012 09:32 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

John.. Detailed *quality* information?

Mar 08, 2012 09:32 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

George.. When we meet up at the Business After Work next month, I'll let you know.

Mar 08, 2012 09:33 PM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Joyce.. I think you are right.  Just wonder how they stay in business?  LOL.  That's right... with gimmicks.

Mar 08, 2012 09:34 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Valerie, I have been trying very hard to respect your opinion... but when I see you calling someone who is doing something you would not do... a "bottom feeder..." it makes it hard to maintain that respect. 

Why not just say that marketing in this way is not something YOU would do... and leave it at that instead of getting into name-calling?  Judge not, lest ye be judged... glass houses, etc.

Mar 09, 2012 12:23 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Karen.. I respect your opinion and glad you feel you can *say how you feel*... that is what I expect from anyone here on Activerain... their thoughts and opinions.  Without this where would we be.

Mar 11, 2012 09:23 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hey Valerie,  i miss this one last month,  I have been busy with other things right now.  I agree with your blog.

Apr 11, 2012 07:43 AM