Rising Cost of Marketing
May 19th, 2009
I went to the gas station last week to fill up and paid $1.99 a gallon to fill up my SUV. A few days ago it was $2.15 a gallon and yesterday my husband said he paid $2.19 a gallon. A REALTOR®’s car is one of their most important tools. So I tell myself to just suck it up and pay the man.
While contemplating my marketing budget for 2009, I was lamenting the rising cost of advertising. Until my 4 year old granddaughter said excitedly, “Granny, I know someone whose picture is in the newspaper! Expecting her to show me a picture of her teacher or her mom or dad or even Hannah Montana, I waited for her to show me just who she was talking about. It was me. Latter & Blum helps support their REALTOR®’s advertising budget by paying for most of an ad in the Times-Picayune on Sunday for 13 weeks with a color picture of the property and REALTOR® in the various Metro sections. Later that week, I received a few calls from past clients saying they had seen the same ad, and though they might not be ready just yet they would forward it on to friends and family.
A couple of weeks ago while riding in the car with the same granddaughter, we passed a billboard for a local Gentlemen’s club my granddaughter yelled excitedly, look Granny, that’s where mommy gets our costumes from. Well, her mom wanted to crawl under the seat but her dad explained merrily that they had passed that sign in October when there was an attractive young lady in a witches costume on the same billboard. Having just ordered her costume and her sisters costume for Halloween and costumes for her Dance Review she naturally assumed mommy got her costumes from the same place. Ah hum – well if she could remember that, maybe there is something to this billboard advertising thing. Anyone know where I can sign up for one of those billboards?
And the latest form of marketing is this new blog! Welcome to www.neworleanscommunities.com, LATTER & BLUM’S newest and most innovative form of marketing and source for local information and Real Estate insight for all of our communities. If I can be of any help in marketing your home, or helping you find your dream home, please call me, Diane Hunn, at the Kenner office (504-443-3300 X 21177). Or, you can reach me at the St. Charles Parish office at (504-565-5868 X 35208). I’ll see you around the neighborhood!
Posted by:
Diane Hunn
Share With a FriendAttract the Buyers' Interest!
May 18th, 2009
Attract the buyers’ interest! April and May are my favorite months to show properties! Really, Friday I spent all day (and I do mean all day) showing homes to a relocating buyer. What a nice man! He was scouting out areas for his wife who will be in next week. And he knew what he was looking for too. He had visited our website, checked out info I sent him and was already pre-approved in the price range we were looking in!
Oh yes, getting back to my favorite months to show property. Nice weather, blooming flowers, you know, perfect (contract writing) atmosphere! Most sellers had their gardens in order and their homes staged to sell! Realtors are getting through to them. That, or they are watching way to much HGTV. Selling 101 – invite the buyer in and then keep him there longer than the competition.
Let us start with the exterior; mow the lawn, plant fresh flowers, trim those hedges and put away garbage cans. Front doors and porches should be painted and cleaned. When selecting flowers for your garden, try to stick to 2 or 3 colors and plant in large clusters. Nothing too cluttered or busy. Moving inside; make sure your home is spotless and organized. Remember, the first impression of the interior of the home, is everything. Rover barking and nipping at the buyer does not a good impression make! Aromas can invoke wonderful or awful memories. Fresh baked cookies are great – Fluffy’s cat litter box, not so much.
All in all, Friday was a great day. The homeowners’ that followed the rules of attracting buyers’ will be getting another visit this week when his wife is in town! Those that didn’t should consult and listen to your REALTOR!
Posted by:Diane Hunn