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Turning Every Listing Into a Dream Listing

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Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

During our ActiveRain Zoom meeting this week, the assignment was to describe our dream listing and share five things we’d do to get it sold in a down market.

Well… I decided to take a slightly different approach.

You see, after 33 years in real estate, I’ve had many dream listings, and my goal is to make every listing a dream listing!

Whether it’s a high-end luxury home, a cozy condo, or a first-time seller’s beloved starter home, each one deserves to be packaged, presented, and marketed like the one-of-a-kind product it is.

Listing homes has always been my passion. I love helping sellers see their property through a buyer’s eyes, uncovering its best features, and developing a strategy to make it stand out.

One of my favorite “dream listings” was a stunning home in Canyon Creek back in late 2022 when the market started shifting from a seller's market. The sellers had poured their hearts into thoughtful updates and creative touches. My role was to help them shift from “this is our home” to “this is a product ready for the market.” Since one seller was in advertising, she instantly understood the concept, and together, we created an irresistible presentation that led to multiple offers and a quick, smooth sale.

That experience reinforced my belief that every listing has the potential to be a dream listing, when the right process is in place. There is no “secret sauce” to make it happen every time:

Set the Stage Emotionally – Help sellers detach emotionally and view their home as a product to sell, not a personal possession.

Perfect the Presentation - First impressions are everything! Whether staging a vacant home or refining décor, I make sure every space shines.

Craft a Story - Create a detailed, visually appealing brochure that tells the home’s story accurately and beautifully.

Make It Sparkle - Encourage sellers to deep clean, wash windows, and polish every detail. A spotless home always attracts attention!

Maximize Exposure – Execute a marketing plan that ensures agents and buyers can easily find, see, and fall in love with the property.

I truly believe every listing has “dream” potential when price, condition, and presentation align.

For me, that’s what keeps this business so rewarding, turning every listing into a success story for my clients and a dream come true for their next chapter.

 

 

 

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(512) 750-6899
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My ActiveRain Blog

ReloAustin.com
Austin Real Estate Website

CanyonCreekNews.com
Canyon Creek Neighborhood

I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Comments(24)

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Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Sunday morning, Dorie. Have a great day and a productive week.

Oct 12, 2025 06:04 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Each listing, no matter how expensive gets the full treatment from me. (now I do treat leases a bit different).

Oct 12, 2025 07:01 AM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, enjoy your weekend, and here's a GOOD LUCK to your favorite Football Team 🏈! Bill

Bill Salvatore / Arizona Elite Properties

Oct 12, 2025 08:04 AM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Oct 12, 2025 08:15 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

WE are in aligment with this Miss Dorie Dillard Austin TX - there is no secret sauce. Work with the basics, make the home shine, price it right, and offers will come. 

Oct 12, 2025 09:01 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Dorie, There’s nothing better than turning a listing into a success story and seeing the joy it brings to both sellers and buyers!

Oct 12, 2025 09:05 AM
Patricia Feager
Referral Specialist - DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - Yep! This would be the winning recipe to list and sell a Dream Home! It's the perfect formula to create pride of ownership and pride to be the new owner! 

Oct 12, 2025 10:06 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Dorie- I couldn't agree more!!!  I remember hearing some people say that a property wasn't worth it because it was below a certain price point.  That is wrong. There's a buyer for every home so it's the agent's and seller's job to make it shine!!!

Oct 12, 2025 11:19 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Dorie we are 100% on the same page with 'dream listings'!!  Make them all 'dream' listings and if agents  were to follow your advice they will have very happy sellers and buyers standing in line wanting them to them buy/sell time and time again, 

Featured in BananaTUDES!

 

Oct 12, 2025 12:52 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dorie I totally understand of the desire for every transaction to be a dream transaction.  For me it was the same with every mortgage I originated.

Oct 12, 2025 01:30 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Dorie, you do an excellent job in preparing listings for the market, and therefore they don't linger for long.

Oct 12, 2025 01:40 PM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

You are the story teller Dorie and your recommendation to "develop a story" for the dream home is spot on. Even a 2 bedroom bungalow with a "backyard" can be a "dream home" for a first time home buyer that has been renting for 20 years.

Oct 12, 2025 07:31 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

You introduce buyers the best with genuine appreciation for each new listing Dorie. Every property is a dream if the presentation appeals to their emotions, desires, satisfies a need.

The marketing for any house has to be far reaching. They say it only takes one buyer to have a closing but isn't it delicious when more than one are at the doorstep. And you have back up real estate listing ammo to help them all Dorie Dillard Austin TX .

Oct 13, 2025 03:18 AM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

That’s such an admirable and truly humbling approach to your business, Dorie Dillard Austin TX. You beautifully articulated that every listing deserves that dedicated "dream listing" effort! You're completely right that setting the stage emotionally and perfecting the presentation are the powerful, consistent tactics that lead to great success stories.

Oct 13, 2025 09:45 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Dorie Dillard Austin TX  Way to go! I'm so proud of you; that is the way a professional handles her listing. Smooth and easy 

Oct 13, 2025 01:57 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

There’s a lot to be said about making a home your own, and therefore it becoming a place of happiness because it reflects who you are in your soul

Oct 13, 2025 09:47 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I love this post, Dorie! You definitely know how to sell a home - the RIGHT way! I completely agree about setting the proper mindset with sellers - it's a business transaction! I remind them why they are homeowners - it's a fantastic investment. I enjoy watching a lot of ah-ha moments! 

Thank you for a great 'homework' assignment, Dorie.

Oct 15, 2025 08:52 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

No wonder you are the Queen of listings in your area. I love that you "tell" the story too!

Oct 16, 2025 07:43 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Great post and a great reminder for all of us Dorie. Love this approach.

Oct 17, 2025 11:51 AM
Julie Sutherland Allen
HomeSmart - Panozzo Team - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart, The Panozzo Team

Great post, Dorie! Every listing has "dream potential". Love this! Thank you for sharing. 😁

Oct 28, 2025 07:12 PM