Throwback Thursday: How am I Different?
I thought it might be fun to go back and look at some older posts you may have missed. These are some of my favorites filled with great info. Even if you already saw this one, it never hurts to be reminded.
This is a question I'm asked quite frequently. How am I different from all the other real estate agents out there? Well this post was from a year ago, and it pointed out many things that set me apart from other agents. I'm proud to say I've improved on some of this advertising with the help of Coldwell Banker's listing concierge service. Now I do an even better job on the advertising front including a spot on a TV show and an ad in our View magazine.
If you're thinking of selling your property, you really should sit down with me to find out how there really is a big difference in both the selection of a brokerage and an agent.
I'm often asked in networking meetings and on listing appointments how I am different than all the other real estate agents out here. I decided it was time to post the answers in my blog...
I think it mostly boils down to money. I'm willing to spend it to build my business and promote my listings where many agents aren't. Here are some examples, but there are many more.
I send out an extremely professional lifestyle magazine featuring me and my listings. This is not a real estate magazine. It's full of interesting lifestyle articles and recipes. People request to be on my mailing list. It goes out every other month and is sent to my former clients, potential clients, business acquaintances with office lobbies (attorneys, doctors, financial advisors, etc.) I also give them out at networking meetings and keep some at the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce. Here is an example of a recent front and back cover.
Another way I spend money where other agents don't is on professional photography of my listings. I am a firm believer in presenting my listings in the best possible light , so I hire a professional to do just that. Now I've teamed up with Hommati.com to also bring 3D virtual tours, aerial photos and video, and floor plans to all my listings!
But that's not all. I also send out at least 50 Just Listed postcards to neighbors of the property. Why? Well most people know someone who would like to live in their neighborhood. Let's let your neighbors help us sell your house.
Along with the postcards, I also distribute Just Listed door hangers as part of a package of professionally printed materials I order for every listing. This package also includes full color, 2 sided large flyers, business cards, etc. that I distribute at pitch sessions, networking meetings, the property, etc.
It doesn't stop there. I pay for at least 1 week of Adwerx advertising for all my listings. They will display my ad with your property to people near the listing who are looking on real-estate related sites even once they've left those sites. The ad will follow them to Facebook, Instagram, and hundreds of top websites like the Wall Street Journal and ESPN. The ad will follow the seller, too, so you know it's really out there! Here's an example of an ad I ran recently with the results on views...this was only a 1 week ad.
As you can see this ad was shown a total of 14,546 times in that week. Now let's add in my own social media exposure. I have a total of 13,121 social media connections including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. I post my listings as coming soon, just listed, open houses, price reductions, etc. When I post your property over 13,000 people have the potential of seeing those posts. I also add my listings to the Facebook Marketplace and into real estate related groups for the area. That adds thousands more people who see your listing. You'd be surprised how many Facebook messages I get about my listings when I post them.
I also make life more comfortable for the millennial buyers who are about to be the largest segment of buyers and who don't want to talk on the phone. They want information on their smart phone, and they want it now. All of my listings that allow yard signs come with this sign rider. Potential buyers can text a number and enter a code to receive property information. Buyers like this because they don't have to speak to anyone, and my sellers and I love it because I get their contact information to reach out and offer a showing.
Of course I do what most other agents do. I will put a sign in your yard. I will post your listing on the MLS (however, I will include tons of details, photos with descriptions, videos, etc.) Your listing will then be fed out to over 900 websites including the Coldwell Banker site which is the #1 most visited residential real estate web site! I will help you price the property correctly using my Pricing Strategy Advisor certification. I also have other certifications because I never stop learning to do a better job for my clients. I will offer you staging and repair advice to show your property in the best possible light. I'll do open houses when appropriate, and I'll email my database and lender and title company associates your listing to help spread the word.
Maybe the most important thing I do that sets me apart is answer my phone/return my calls.
Most sellers let the first agent they come in contact with sell their property. Do some research. Google the agent. Look at their social media and web site. Do they do a good job selling themself? If not, why think they'll do a good job selling your property? Do they have good reviews? Do they offer you anything every other agent doesn't offer? Ask if they are full time real estate agents. Ask to see some of their sold listings. Do they have professional photos and lots of details? It's really not that hard to figure out which agents are working hard for their clients and which aren't.
