Let’s pretend I’m a buyer, and I’m looking at a whole list of houses that meet my needs. Oh, I’m lucky — there are LOTS to choose from! Like most buyers, I’m skipping the houses with only one photo. (If the listing agent didn’t think it was worth a few pictures, I know it’s not worth my time.) And of course I prefer MORE information rather than less. By the time I actually talk to an agent, I’ve already eliminated a good deal of the available homes based on what I’ve seen online.

I’m picky, and with all that inventory, I can afford to be.

As you’re creating a Real Estate Show of your seller’s listing, keep me in mind. I’m going to be looking at a lot of houses online, aren’t I? How can you make this one stand out?

Easy. Tell me a story.

Each time I view a listing online, I’m picturing myself in that home. I’m wondering what it would be like to cook in that kitchen. I’m imagining all this fictional spare time I’d have to pamper myself in the posh master bath. (Yes, I know buying that house won’t give me spare time, but let me dream!) If you tell me the story of what my life might be like in this home, I am much more likely to remember it, to want to see it, and to already have warm fuzzy feelings before I’ve ever set foot in the door.

I am ready to fall in love with my next home. If you title your pictures with captions such as “Living Room”, will I be swept off my feet?

Lisa Sanderson of Better Homes & Gardens Wilkins & Associates has a perfect example of how a Show can tell a story about what a buyer’s life might be like in a new home. Can’t you just picture yourself here?

I realize it’s an online relationship, but I think I’m ready to take it to the next level and meet in real life. Something just feels very RIGHT about this one.

I learned a startling statistic yesterday. According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly half of clients will not hear from their real estate agents after their transaction closes. Think on that for a moment. Before closing, your client heard from you weekly if not daily (or even more often!) just before closing. And then *BAM!*

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

::Insert sound of crickets here::

These are your precious, hard earned clients! Don’t just let them go – you worked hard for them! Here’s an easy way to keep your foot in the door just after close.

If you are the buyer’s agent, bring your camera to the final walk through. Take pictures of those empty rooms. I know it sounds kind of silly, but you’re creating a “Before” Show. Make sure to get a picture of the happy new home owners by the front door. Then create a Real Estate Show of the empty rooms and burn it to CD or DVD. Drop back by to see your clients a week or so later just to let them know you miss them and give them their CD. Let them know you’d be happy to create an “After” Show once they’re all moved in, and let them know you can connect the Before and After Shows together and that you can give them links online so that they can share with family and friends who want to see the new place.

If you’re working with the sellers, your job is even easier because you’ve already made a Show of their home looking it’s very best. Create a CD or DVD for them to keep and either stop in for a visit if they’re close by or mail it to them. (And remember, we don’t drop people just because they move away! They lived in the area and have friends and coworkers who still do, make sure they’re singing your praises!) Someday they’re going to feel nostalgic about the old place and pull out that CD and think good thoughts about you.

It’s easier to keep an existing client than to earn a new one. Don’t drop them!

We know that having stronger connections with the people around us does magical things. When you show people that you care about them, they feel better. They feel better about themselves and they feel better about you, too, just because they associate you with good things.

So let’s forget about the tangible benefit (more business) of regularly contacting our sphere of influence for the moment. Right now, we just want to concentrate on making sure that people know we’re thinking about them. And since we’re busy people, let’s make this easy, OK?

We’ve created a bunch of Instant Shows that you can add to your own Real Estate Shows account with just a click, then personalize in any way you see fit. Creating a Flyer from one of these Shows can make a beautiful presentation: Imagine this in place of an E-card. (Ah, but this E-Card has all of your contact information and subtly reminds people that you are their real estate agent… Oh wait, we aren’t thinking about that part!)

We have Shows for the holidays, of course, but you might like to try one that’s just plain inspirational. If you know someone is feeling under the weather, we even have a “get well soon” Show. (Remember, you can even Duplicate Shows, which allows you to copy a Show and change the title so that it can say, “Get Well Soon, Bob”, and maybe you can even use a title on a photo to say you’re sorry he got that nasty bug that’s going around. Make it personal!)

In a slow market, it’s good to remind people you’re still here, working away. It’s ALWAYS a good time to let people know you’re thinking of them. Your Instant Real Estate Shows are a FREE, easy way to stay in touch.

• Instant Shows are found through the Instant Shows button on the Main Menu.
• Click Import Show to add it to your account.
• Personalize in Edit Show if you desire, or use as is.
• Create a Flyer for a quick custom look.
• Use Show Links to copy link to your email program to send to your contacts.

Sending out an Instant Show to your contacts once or twice a month is just one more way to get incredible value from your Real Estate Shows. If you’d like to hear more ways to get more from you Real Estate Shows, keep reading the blog or call us at 888.580.7627, we’re happy to brainstorm with you.

The next time you’re taking photos of a new listing, turn around and shoot a few pictures of the neighborhood. On your way out, take a picture of the entrance and be sure to get shots of any special features such as a community pool or park.

Then make up a Real Estate Show of the neighborhood. You can attach the Show to your new listing through the “Connect Shows Together” link on your Manage & Edit page. After a potential buyer views the listing Show, they’ll get a prompt to view the connected neighborhood Show.

You can also download your neighborhood Show and burn it to CD to hand out at your first Open House, when all the neighbors drop in “just for a peek.” Hand them a CD of their own neighborhood looking totally fabulous — and suddenly you’re on your way to being the neighborhood expert!

Also be sure to file your new neighborhood Show under the Community tab. (From Manaage & Edit, use the drop down box that says “Move Show Into”.) Imagine what a resource this will be when you have buyers moving in from outside the area! The more you can show them, the better!

For inspiration, check out these Shows:

• Village Shops at the Landmark by Bob Schenkenberger
  
• Ruby Hills, Pleasanton by Laura Monroe
• Porches on the Point by Lisa Heindel