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Let's get Cooking

By
Real Estate Agent with Max Broock Realtors

chefGetting agents out to visit your listings in the Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills MI market can get tough.  

 

Currently, the listing inventory is very high.  As marketing times are getting longer, some agents are getting creative with the marketing. 

Today, Darlene Jackson and I hosted a joint broker open. We have listings on the same cul-de-sac, both priced around $2.5 million.  Again, a difficult price range to move homes in.  So we got creative.  We enlisted a chef for each home to come and have interactive cooking demonstrations.  The homes are both wonderful but very different.  Both have amazing kitchens. 

 

I would say that the event was VERY well received.  The broker open was from 4-7pm and we had a steady turn out.  We had cocktail cuisine at both homes.  The chefs were cooking the Hors D’oeuvres and answering questions for the Realtors.  I had many agents comment on how excited they were for this broker open.  Everyone thought that this was such a “neat” twist on a “typical” event.  The Realtors were so enthused about the cooking presentation that their excitement about my listing escalated.  This was great because I had a prospect come to see the house during my broker open.  All the agents were gushing about the house.  I just hope that some of that excitement rubbed off on the potential buyers.

 

What types of things are you doing to get people to see your listings?

Show All Comments Sort:
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI
No JP, a duplex is when you get two gold stars back to back!  You're the best!
Sep 20, 2006 02:51 PM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI
Mitchell, how do I send that to the Real Estate press??? I'm totally serious.  I bet I should know this.... 
Sep 20, 2006 02:52 PM
Anonymous
Karen Flory

Sara,

 It was a very creative way to entice realtors to your broker open. I'm sorry I missed it.

Sep 20, 2006 02:55 PM
#19
George Galvan
Professional Real Estate Partners - Gilbert, AZ
The both of you deserve a very nice applause from the rest of us here. Thank you for sharing. Great job. I will cross my fingers in the both of you getting your homes sold soon. Made me open my eyes and start getting creative.
Sep 20, 2006 06:44 PM
Carl Guild
Carl Guild & Associates - East Hampton, CT
Central Connecticut Real Estate
Realtors love free food! That is soo true, and with a high-priced listing it is good you got a chef!.. Makin me hungry!
Sep 20, 2006 07:04 PM
Bev Napier
SKBK Sotheby's International Realty - Beverly Hills, MI

Great event Sara!!  Enjoyed the realtor camaraderie and cooking demos!

If I recall.....you fed realtors twice that day..... 

 

Sep 21, 2006 02:17 AM
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

Sara,

The Detroit and Bloomfield Hills papers that have real estate sections or write about real estate. I don't know the ones in your market but they probably have websites and on their website they usually have names of the writers and their email addresses or where you can send items.

My company is really good with PR. We have an inhouse PR person and also an outside PR firm. It's a great story for them and great PR for you and your property.

The worst that can happen is you get another listing out of it.

Sep 21, 2006 10:27 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

Mitchell,


Thank you for the idea.  I had tried to send out press releases a few months ago.  I had no luck.  I should keep at it.  I'm sure that it will eventually pay off.  

Thank ou for the tip.  You're the best! 

Sep 21, 2006 03:29 PM
Professor X
NONE - Ludington, MI

YUM food!

Lunch next week, I'll even cook if thats what it takes?

Sep 22, 2006 07:31 AM
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist
Kudos to you and Darlene for your creativity and smart thinking.  I hope that it not only helped to give your high-end listing added exposure but that it will also result in a buyer for it... soon!
Sep 24, 2006 05:22 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

Jay & Linnea,

I contacted a few of our local gourmet markets.  All offered this type of service.  There was a four hour minimum on each chef.  I was also responsible for the cost of the food.  I had to (of course) buy the food from the market.  The good thing was they brought everything.  All I did was plan the menu.

Sep 25, 2006 02:50 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Are you paying all these people to comment on your blogs? If so, I'll send you my PayPal account.  :)

Rich Jacobson, www.KitsapLife.com

Sep 25, 2006 08:26 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

Rich,

I haven't put out a post in a few days... I guess that is why I keep getting remarks.  Who knows??  If necessary, I can pay people.  ;)

Sep 25, 2006 01:28 PM
Maha Musson
Sunshine Eagle Realty - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nice post Sara,,, good idea

Sep 25, 2006 04:12 PM
Stacy Vogel
RE/MAX UNITED - Las Vegas, NV
Integrity-Experience-Results
Great idea, gives people a reason to stick around and really appreciate the property.
Sep 26, 2006 07:34 AM
Linda Mardi
AuctionFirst - Austin, TX
Wow - I've put this idea into my toolbox. thanks for sharing.
Oct 02, 2006 02:37 PM
Suzanne Marriott
Keller Williams Arizona Realty - Anthem, AZ
Associate Broker, CLHMS, e-PRO
How often do you sell a house as a result of a Broker Open?
Oct 05, 2006 03:45 AM
Jennifer BeGole-Bunting
Argyle Title Agency - Fenton, MI
Great idea!  I always think it's smart to asscociate great food and talent!!!  Next time give me a call my partner is also a chef.  We are the Traveling Title Gourmet's and would love to  contribute HOSTING your next event!!!
Oct 17, 2006 03:00 AM
Sheron Cardin
California Moods Inc - Selma, CA
ARTIST - A Home Stager/Sellers Best Friend!

Sara, you're a born leader and good for you. The open house is the best time to show off and to have a chef use a kitchen to put out the goodies is hot!

As I am reading this it occurs to me (I am not an agent) to hold fund raisers in your high end homes. Expose it to those who can afford it.

Staging It Forward! 

logo

Dec 10, 2006 02:08 AM
Sara Lipnitz
Max Broock Realtors - Birmingham, MI

Sheron,

Wonderful idea.  I think I may need to add that to my "idea list".  Thanks.

Dec 12, 2006 01:38 PM