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TACOMA - PUYALLUP & PIERCE COUNTY, WA
REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER /
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11-27-07 Issue
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Editor: There have been about 24
responses today, including me.
Here is the thread:
http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/To_Brochure_Box_Or_Not_To_Brochure_Box-14580--
To Brochure Box ... Or Not
To Brochure Box
What's your opinion on a brochure box?
(question from
William a Home Seller in Quakerstown, PA on Trulia.com)
"Our realtor prefers to *not* have a brochure box. They say if someone is
interested enough in the home, they'll call the number. And my realtor feels
that if they have the opportunity to speak to the buyer in person, they feel
tehir ability to show their excitement for the home in person will get us a
better chance at a showing than just a brochure. I do agree that they would be
great at selling the home if they get a chance to talk to a potential buyer!
But ... I also remember when I was looking at homes that I was unlikely to call
the number on the signs - I preferred being able to pick up a brochure at the
curb and get the information rather than deal with the realtor bringing me in as
a client.
We had a brochure box as a FSBO. Lots of brochures were taken, not sure how many
yielded interest or a showing. But it seemed to be a no-brainer ... interested
in some other viewpoints!"
*******************************************************
Editor: One reply I liked is from Ginger. She says she is
also a home
seller and has been quite active on Trulia
but with NO profile, not sure why.
Anyway, her answer seemed right on and here it is, my reply is below hers:
Ginger replied:
"Wow - 19 answers to that question. With all the thumb action, there was
only one TU for the question that sparked all this discussion. (I just gave a
2nd TU.) You guys are tough.
As a buyer and seller, this is my take - not that it is right - but to give you
a client reaction:
1) I like brochure boxes. I will take a flyer home. If it sparks my interest, I
will use it to go to the agents web site and look further. I personally do not
like to do business on the phone so this is the best avenue to reach me.
2) Your best shot with me is to get me on the web, not the phone. I will
generally inquire by email. If you jam me on the phone, it is probably our only
contact. If you have a killer web site, I will save this and come back. A killer
web site has complete information on properties with tons of photos. It has
great info, like a search by neighborhood feature, with NO requirement to fill
in your personal info to access. Even if I am just looking right now, if you
give me thorough info, you are the agent I am most likely to call when I am
ready to get serious.
3) My general reaction to no price is that it is priced too high, and that is
why they don't want to tell you. I usually go no further with the property. I
will sometimes look it up on the web, and if I did have an interest, I would
probably go thru another agent. I don't want to deal with a realtor that I feel
is less than forthcoming with me. (I am not saying that this is correct. I am
sharing what kind of reaction no price info generates in some people.)
4.) All over my neighborhood, there are empty brochure boxes. I know these
realtors, and I know they have not been out here in weeks. I have seen their
empty brochure boxes all over town. It is the same realtors, year after year,
with the empty boxes. The empty box next to their name is an arrow pointing to
their name that says "I do nothing after I get your listing."
5.) I think brochures are very useful for land. Most buyers don't know how to
look at land and don't want to walk in the woods or brush. I also think a great
brochure will make a low price home look more upscale. I think it is critical
for a mid-priced home which is the glut in the inventory for my town. They are
less common on high end homes.
We are moving into an age of more perfect information, and the ability to "hook"
a buyer by phone is decreasing. Whoever has the best information wins.
OK - just MHO. Thumb away, you meanies out there!!!"
************************************************************************
Editor Don Leske Sr / Associate Broker replied:
WOW.... lots of Agents hot on this one.
My 2 cents worth...
What do actual home buyers prefer? My son and his "Team" sold over 400 homes
last year and prefers a Full Color Flyer with mortgage/funding info on the back,
but no price. Personally for me as a ABR "Buyers Agent" and working with lots of
buyers over time.., many clients will just drive on by if there is no box and
they ALL want to see the price on the flyer. Kind of like used cars.
If you were driving down a street with 20 used car dealers, the majority of
people would prefer to have the price of the cars somewhere listed on the car.
Many people tell me that if there are no prices, they just drive on by and go to
the next dealer.
Its all about getting the job done in the end William, would you not agree? In
this buyers market many sellers are having a very hard time getting their homes
sold even with top notch Agents helping. Generally in my area the results of
homes sold show that the majority are sold from a listing on the MLS..., and
from offering a good incentive to both Buyer and Selling Agent, but overall
PRICE is always the end factor. If a home or property is priced right for the
market it is in, it should sell. Many will argue that "it is priced right!" and
....ok, maybe it is a great price but we are talking about what will sell and
what will not. If you MUST sell and have no choice, you must do all you can to
make sure your home and grounds are showable and you must drop your price till
it sells ...and move on.
Some options other than selling include:
1. Rent to Own. I bought three homes this year myself, could not sell two of
them at the price I wanted to get so I have easily found people willing and
ready to rent them, at a bit of a higher rate, with an option to buy the home
within one year and a 2nd year option. Good for all involved in my opinion.
2. You can negotiate with your Bank or mortgage holder to refinance at a lower
rate, or at least discuss with them what options they may have. Some will say
that this communication will be a Red Light to the lender, showing that you are
having trouble..... but I say "so what", if you are in trouble anyway and need
some help you should consider all options.
3. If you can afford to keep your property, do so. By either just staying put
there or renting it out.... over time your property will of course increase in
value as proven by history. You can manage the rental yourself if you have thick
skin and some grit.... or you can hire a local Property Management Company in
Quakertown or nearby who will be glad to screen tenants and evict them if they
don't pay. There is a lot of other things to know about getting into rentals,
such as there are downsides to consider and so it is NOT for everyone. Yes...,
renters can damage property. One of mine caught a rental on fire and my
insurance paid $40k to fix it. In the end its all worth it BIG TIME to me.
In any case, you are not alone. Lots of people are not getting the price they
want or need to get for their homes all over the country. Me too but, with over
30 years owning rentals, the homes I have kept all have paid off quite well. One
I bought for $79,000 18 years ago just sold for $525,000. No kidding. Another
one that I just bought for $113,000 is renting now for $875 a month with my
payments at $775/month, nothing wrong with making an extra $1,200 a year, plus
the mortgage is getting paid for.
All my best wishes and Happy Holidays!
-Don Leske Sr. / Associate Broker
http://www.homesandproperties.com
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