My question, after reading some of the postings is, how many times should your realtor put your house in the local paper. Mine has only been in there twice for open house and two other times in four months. All were the smallest ads of all the realty companies and this is not a small realty company that I am with. Is this reason enough to be able to get out of contract with realtor and find another who seems to advertise all the time? It feels like a breach of contract to me as they are not marketing it the way I thought they would. They also have it listed in a book of homes that comes out once a month. Any advice?

Print advertising has taken a huge hit with price increases by the papers. Also statistics are showing that online advertising is where to go with your marketingdollars.Believe it or not, there's a very high %of people under 40 that don't even read papers anymore-relying on tv/computer for their news. Plus no newspaper is large enough to handle all the homes that are on the market and to market them that way on a consistent basis due to the fact that it takes months(sometimes years) to sell a home today. If that were to be the case, out RE section would like all the advertising you see that day after Thanksgiving.
Instead ask your agent what else she is doing to promote your home and where.

As your agent for a written marketing plan, along with a timeline of approx. when each item will happen.

If your agent will not provide a plan, make including one part of the listing agreement the next time around. Good agents will not be cutting back on their marketing budgets even in light of the slow market.

I sometimes felt the same way when my house was for sale. I didn't hear from the Realtor for weeks and seemingly nothing was happening. When the house appeared on Realtor.com as a ''featured home'' I did get a jump in lookers though, and one of them bought it. So, as others have said, ask her what she is doing and tell her you want internet exposure.

Some real estate companies completely skip local print advertising.

Newspaper advertising isn't cheap and the color ads in the Homes books are even more.
I woulod guess to say your realtor may be on par with local print advertising although it may not seem so to you.
He/she is paying for this upfront with no guarantee that there will be a sale to get paid.

I would go over the whole marketing strategy with your realtor. Are you priced at or below comps?

Do you have a link to your listing that we can see and offer tips and ideas that might be helpful to make your listing stand out from the competition?

quote:

Originally posted by crazymaggiemay:
Do you have a link to your listing that we can see and offer tips and ideas that might be helpful to make your listing stand out from the competition?

Here is my link. Already posted it on "Is your house for sale thread. Got lots of advice over the last couple of days from alot of great people on here and am in the process of of some changes in staging and in changing out pictures on web.
http://nickmovesyou.semonin.com/Listing/ListingSearchRe...&FirstLetter=&Sort=1

726 Cecilia Smith Mill Rd. MLS# 9995431

Well, the more I advertise in the local paper, the more houses I sell.

That was my thought as I have worked in marketing for a car dealership and we always did better with print and cable adverts. Thanks, I am going to talk with the realtor after open house, I told him we need a powwow and I am gonna bring alot of things to his attention. He may regret that I found these postings and a lot of very smart savvy people who are in the same boat as I am and who have opened my eyes so to speak.

I did note you could use some staging in your home to help it show better.

The rear photo of the screened porch - something about it makes it look shabby. Maybe paint it white. Remove the three step framing around the window.

Is there anywhere else you could put the office that is in your bedroom.

Also I would remove the drawers from underneath the bunk bed.

Then I saw another that had a desk which look alot better. No sure it is the same one.


I would shape up that tree from the bottom - covers too much of the house in the photos.

While I think the Realtor may be lax in advertising - you need be ready by removing clutter and stage that home... for that great first impression.

You'll get great suggestions from the board here. We are not trying to be critical... just trying to help each other get SOLD.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

A lot of the clutter has been cleared and the tree really does not block the house, just the angle of the photo. I know you guys are not being critical and just offering advice. The pictures are bad and we are re-doing them tomorrow before the open house. Thanks for all your input

My bedroom is what used to be a garage, but was converted to a den when we bought the house. My hubby converted into a big bedroom with walk-in closet. Going to take picture of that. The office is actually a tiny bedroom only staged as an office, because no where else to put it. I have removed the boxes under my sons' bed and that is two different bedrroms with bunk beds and desks under both. Also got a smaller desk in the office and re-positioned the chaise.I can't wait until tomorrow so we can get some really good pictures done. I will let you guys know when they are posted.

Thank you for knowing we are not tring to be critical.. and are only trying to help.

Here too the newspaper ads pull in less than 2% of interested calls.
We get lots of action from the weekly Real Estate mag tho.
Believe it or not even with the "net" being so active, the number 1 source is still the good ole "For Sale" sign - go figure...

I ONLY advertise Opens in the local paper.

This is a great topic. I also don't have faith in my real estate guy. He works a full time job and I've had to suggest everything to him. Like I found out about groups of real estate agents going thru the house and I had to get him to do it. He did open houses for 3 hours and they were not working so I took them over with an 8 hour window and sat here and showed it myself, no one came. Other real estate people do leave cards but I'm unemployed so I'm usually here when it shows. Most showings are on a Saturday morning. I've ask my real estate person to contact me once a week to talk about progress but I can't seem to get that thru his head as he doesn't. I've controlled how the ad reads but not sure if I'm doing a great job. He took pictures of the house before I could even get it presentable, back yard pictures looks like back yard is trashed. I'm trying to correct some of the problems I'm finding out but I'm not so sure changing agents for me is the things if I can figure out how to help him. I'm here to learn, all replies welcomed, thanks!!

goldnmypoc
Get yourself a full time Realtor, not someone who does it on the side after his other job.
Also if you are there when property is being shown, you should leave the house as soon as the buyers and agent arrive--work in the yard, take a walk, visit neighbor,etc.

I've been told there are few realtors that are making money to even work full time in the industry. I'm in Va. I have all intentions after coming here today to see what I can find out.

The advise to leave the house is well taken but I also have children and though agents call, you never know when they are coming, I've been told an hour and not see agent for 3 hours. I was right in the middle of cooking and leaving isn't always possible. Though we are sellers we are also trying to live our lives in these houses that we call home. I feel I'm doing the best I can to open this house up to anyone who might be interested in buying it but unlike some posters on this board, I'm not getting upset because I have to show this house at a minutes notice.

I just posted to you on your other thread...yes, I am sure it is a total challenge with children...to get ready for these showings. I don't know how y'all do it.

ANY realtor these days should be internet-savvy. If you don't grab the buyers with your internet presence, you are losing anywhere from 70-80 percent of possible buyers! The pictures have got to be GOOD...and you should not have to tell your Realtor that...h/she should KNOW!

Tell him/her "buhbye" would be my advice!

Id never look at a house with the owners there it would be awkward and uncomfortable and Id want to get out of there as soon as possible.

Goldnmypoc, I'm not buying that no realtors are making money in this market..... There are successful realtors everywhere. Do NOT use a part time agent.. You need one of those that makes enough money to do it full time.... Check with some of the big ones - ReMax, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, etc.... You'll find someone.. (by the way, it's usually the ones that can't make it that tell you no one is making it - hmmmmmm, wonder why that is????)

Debid is right - while the market is still slow --it has picked up in our area..and I know Realtors all over the country who are "making it"!

Here's a test question for you to ask your Realtor... Q. How is the market?

If the Realtor comes back with "woes of the market" speech..the slow market may have put a damper on that agents' motivation....

if the Realtor comes back with a "challenging market" -- you've most likely have a good Realtor...who is motivated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: real estate lady,

I'd really like to clarify 1 thing here first. Not all RE agents are realtors. A realtor has merit, etc. far beyond that of the RE agent. Kind of like calling a decorator a designer. Just not true.
That said, one always has the option of signing a shorter term contract with a realtor or RE agent. It can be for as few as 30 days. It is best not to assume your RE person is going to do all that you'd like, so ask them for their marketing plan. I am in CA and few are using much in the way of print advertsing right now. It is not that feasible for our market. But, if you do want print advertising, make sure to discuss / ask for that when you discuss the marketing with the RE person.

quote:

Originally posted by cindyn123:
I'd really like to clarify 1 thing here first. Not all RE agents are realtors. A realtor has merit, etc. far beyond that of the RE agent. Kind of like calling a decorator a designer. Just not true.

+

Excellent point - that is why I always try to use Real Estate agent or agent, cuz I don't know if they are working with a Realtor or not.