As a Realtor, and as a real estate agent who has her Certified Residential Specialist designation (with less than 3% of Real estate agents having this designation), I work my hardest to promote, sell and market a home. Today, marketing is very important, more so than ever before. Every worthwhile real estate company will advertise their listings on many great web sites (and of course I would like to feel that Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s has more to offer in that area!!), but what of the agent? Some agents will sit back, and let the advertising work on her behalf, and hopefully will then have appointments, bids and acceptable offers. Is that enough? I have written on the selling process , and so now that the home has been decluttered, painted, prepared in every way, perhaps staged, taxes reduced, emptied, professional photography, floor plans all completed, now we market!
I like to introduce my listings to the top local agents (over 1500), and I will send my listings to them as they are introduced to the market via a marketing program my company offers. This is in addition to sending out postcards announcing the home to not only the immediate area, but I like to target additional streets where I think it would be advantageous also. Not every agent does this, but if it will help sell a home – why not? I also like to create a personalized web site for each of my listings too. Some companies will offer a luxury web site for that special home, but I think I go one step further with blogs about the area so if someone is visiting from the city for example, I can send the website link to them, and they can see at a glance what is happening in that area, on the street.. street fairs, sports programs, market reports, school information and so much more.
I also like to promote my listings with Broker’s open houses (as we all do), but I will also try to make it fun with different kinds of food.. I try to attract as many agents as I can so they will visit and see the home while they are enjoying each other’s company. It is a great time in which to share market news, get to know more agents for after all – these will be the people I will be negotiating with in the future. Having a good relationship with as many agents as possible will always help sell a home. I have had Broker’s open houses with themes such as “Apple Cider tasting and cheese parties’, “Mint Julep and appropriate Southern foods ” to coincide with the Kentucky Derby if that time of year , “Champagne and smoked salmon”, and so many more! I just served a Mexican themed Broker’s open house with Margaritas which was fun!
Agents try to be as inventive as possible in their advertising too. Any agent worth his/her salt will probably be advertising on Facebook nowadays. Why not? It is one of the top ranking modes of reaching potential buyers with great viewership. Plus, you can streamline your target audience. You want Brooklyn? Upper Eastside, Upper Westside? People who are seeking a home on the waterfront? Who like to kayak? Facebook answers those requirements.
Open Houses are another way to reach buyers. Everyone leads hectic lives, and it can be hard to pinpoint a certain scheduling time with their respective agent, and so having the option to visit an open house at their own leisure answers that problem. I like to personalize miniature Hershey chocolate bars with labels depicting the home and with my information. All to make the home memorable and why not!
I would also like to feel that in marketing a home, I work with the sellers as a team. Teamwork is always important! If it cold outside then make the home warm! If it very hot then we need to cool it for when those potential buyers enter a home, and if they see clothing everywhere, a messy kitchen, and it is 90 degrees and it is HOT in the home… then their first impression will not be favorable… An agent can advertise, market and even bring the flowers but if the home is not prepared then that can deter a sale.
At the end of the day, every agent wishes to sell your home. As someone who cares, I am trying to obtain the very best price I can. If you have any real estate needs, call me!
Westchester is GREAT!
