New idea comes from knocking on doors.

by mrcouchpotato

Posted: 13 years ago 19 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

So I'm visiting a local business trying to sell my marketing services (mobile web, sms, etc.) and while we're talking, he tells me he's trying to sell his house on his own.

He then asked how he could market his home better since it's not listed with a real estate agent and is not in the MLS (multiple listing service).

I then told him that I'm also a part time real estate agent and I do the marketing for another agent in our office which includes taking photos, creating brochures, and building websites for his listings, etc.. After our discussion, he said that he'd talk to his wife about having me help him market his home as well.

So this got me to thinking.

Why not create a business that helps people who are selling homes themselves (FSBOs) or property owners who are trying to rent their homes? I could create a marketing package deal that included...

Taking photos of their home (if you've ever looked at photos taken by homeowners, you'll see that they really need help in this area. All you need is a decent camera with a wide angle lens and external flash).
Create a 2 page flyer or brochure of their home
Create a website using their street address as the URL
Create an attractive Craigslist ad
Provide an SMS Text feature that texts the owner's website if someone puts in their keyword.
Create a QR code for the listing to put on the flyers
Create a Virtual Tour of the home and post on their website and Youtube
And whatever else I can think of.

I could either sell these as one package or make it a-la carte and they can pay for whatever services they want. But I'm not sure how to price this. And also, what's the best way to get the word out about this service.

So basically, if you wanted to provide this service in your area and you have absolutely nothing but this idea, where would you start to get the ball rolling?

#doors #idea #knocking

1960Texan 13 years ago

There's a lot of great information in this thread:

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...me-stream.html

In fact, you might want to check out all of the threads started by Jagged (Ken Perry). He's very talented at thinking outside the box and has given some great advice here on the Warrior Forum time and time again.

Will
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danielkanuck 13 years ago

I would start with designing the website and promote it in classified ads, display ads in newspaper, and some online marketing tactics also. In short, i would promote it the same way that i promote anything. I'm assuming that these are high transaction sales, so you have room to test around with advertising.

I would target FSBO in my area and send them a direct mail package highlighting my services along with a guarantee of some sort. I would price my services at $500 for doing the entire marketing campaign for them.

Then i would find a way to duplicate this business nationwide. From what i can tell, it sounds like a tremendous service that you would be doing for homeowners who no nothing about marketing.
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Bruce NewMedia

13 years ago

Originally Posted by mrcouchpotato

. And also, what's the best way to get the word out about this service.

So basically, if you wanted to provide this service in your area and you have absolutely nothing but this idea, where would you start to get the ball rolling?

Thats the crux with most new ideas like this. Actually, its not really new, but new for you,and many others. You would need to ideally identify people planning to sell their home on their own (very hard) or ones who tried and failed with a broker....

IF, you could get a list of lapsed MLS listings, or 'expireds', you'd be able to work a very targeted list. I'd first look for a source like that before putting time into building site etc...other than an existing "By Owner' Magazine, there really isn't a specific source of BY OWNER leads.
_____
Bruce

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elitementor

13 years ago

Originally Posted by brucerby

Try Craigslist for FSBO's, local newspapers and even as you drive in your community and see any FBSO signs ... you can then contact them.

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jafour 13 years ago

Good idea. Was thinking you may also invest in a few of those "talking houses" (short range radio transmiter) & offer them for lease in your package to the homeowner as well!! Also have your own for sale by owner signs made up to sell to them, because most of the for sale signs I see do not draw much attention. You could really make this a one stop shop!!! Good Luck~
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Transcripts 13 years ago

Try sites like zillow.com
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JerryKuzma 13 years ago

it's a great idea...just reading it stretches your brain outside the box. so much of the products and wso's are focussed on regular IM topics. but if I stop and think about my skills and experience as a MARKETER, then I begin looking for people/products/organisations that 'need marketed'--not just finding a good product and trying to sell it somewhere...-

anyone who needs marketed becomes a potential client.

your package could easily be amended to promote a whole host of client-types.

thanks.
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StoneWilson 13 years ago

I think there are many websites out there can submit this kind of information, sell homes, cars, second-hand jewelleies, etc. If you make a more targeted websites, what will be the feature?
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bluechillisa 13 years ago

This is a service i'm wanting to setup in South Africa. Big market available here for this type of thing.
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TriWin 13 years ago

Sounds like a great idea, as long as you have the needed skills. You are creating a multi-channel marketing option for a niche market that could really use the help in mist cases. If you are short on any single area then make sure you budget to hire help. Your best approach here, in my opinion, is the ability to offer a one stop shop for the home seller. You are the easy affordable not hassle option to sell your house sooner and pay one less mortgage pament.
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ADukes81

13 years ago

I recently set up a website like this for my parents as they are trying to sell their house by owner. It only took a few days to get on the first page and I am hoping once the house sells, I can lease the site out to a realtor for some big bucks. I was also thinking of finding someone else in the town to do the same and work out a deal where I'll get 1-2% of the sale price as oppose to a realtor getting 5-7%.

I see some potential in this business model and will keep everyone up to date on how it goes.

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WillDL

13 years ago

Originally Posted by ADukes81

Be careful with that. In a lot of places it is illegal to take a % on house sales without a realtors license

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jimbo13 13 years ago

Maybe US is different than in the UK but the Estate Agent doesn't get paid to sell your house. An imbecile could sell a house.

The Estate Agent gets paid for all of the back room stuff. They have to negotiate with solicitors, the other buyers Agents to make sure all sales in a chain will happen at the same time (not easy) and a ton of other stuff.

That's why after decades of alternative places to place your house for sale for all of £20 per month (but you're going to charge 1 -2% of sale price right?) 95% of all sales still go through agents.

I seriously doubt you pay an Agent 5-7% of the selling price and then pay someone else to do all the other stuff.

Dan

PS: You lot pay 5 - 7% do you? It's around 2% in the UK.
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- mrcouchpotato 13 years ago
  
  The service that would be provided would not be to sell their house. Nor would it be to act as a real estate agent. Nor would it help them close the house once it's sold.
  
  The service would be to create the marketing materials that help them do all of the above. It's no different than a homeowner purchaining a "For Sale By Owner" sign from a local vendor and putting it in their front yard. The sign maker makes his money by selling the sign. It's that simple.
  
  So you wouldn't take a percentage of the sale (which may be illegal...check your state's real estate codes). It's not to make sure all of the closings in a chain reaction takes place without any problems. It's not to act like a real estate agent in anyway shape or form.
  
  All you're going to do is....
  Take quality photos of their home
  
  Create an attractive flyer
  
  Create a website
  
  Create an attractive Craigslist ad
  
  Provide an SMS Text feature that texts the owner's website if someone puts in their keyword.
  
  Create a QR code for the listing to put on the flyers
  
  Create a Virtual Tour of the home and post on their website and Youtube
  
  Get Paid
  
  Since I have my real estate license, I actually have to walk a finer line than most of you. At a minimum, I'll have to disclose that I am an agent. But on the positive side, I could referr another agent if they do decide to list the home and I could get a referral fee.
  
  Mike.
  
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  jimbo13 13 years ago
  
  Hi Couchpotato
  
  I understood what you meant as you stated in your original post that you were a part time Estate Agent.
  
  I was being a bit blunt in my post as I thought maybe Adam was thinking he could charge those kind of fees just to do what you suggested above which would be a big no no.
  
  Unless of course houses in US don't cost much.
  
  Dan
  
  PS: Curious about the videos as a few years ago in the UK Estate Agents near me did virtual tours of houses and posted them on their websites but then Mr Burglar came along so it went out of fashion. He could see how to get in, what is in there and more importantly how to get out if disturbed.
  
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  rideotm 13 years ago
  
  Hi Mike,
  
  I am a broker in central Florida and work some in the FSBO market. I think if you market the product as selling a website with additional features and disclose up front you are licensed, there would be no issues. For those that would be suspicious, further disclose that you will not list it in the future but rather refer it if they need a broker.
  
  I don't know what your costs would be to set up a website ($1.99 .info) but if you shot a picture of the front of their house and added some fluff and sent them to their site, it would knock their socks off. You could then offer your ala carte items. I would probably go after medium to upper priced homes. Once you have done a few, you can get testimonials and stop making sites,probably.
  
  Good sources are Craigslist of course, FSBOCrusher.net, FSBO.com, militarybyowner.com, zillow ("make me move" are FSBOs), neighborhood weeklies and theredx.com which is a paysite. Your local MLS too.
  
  You have my gears spinning...
  
  Thanks
  
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DWolfe 13 years ago

Originally Posted by WillDL

Be careful with that. In a lot of places it is illegal to take a % on house sales without a realtors license

But there is away around it if you act as an Investor with an interest in the property. It could be set up to be paid off the HUD1. You would need a lawyer to structure that part of the deal. You could walk off with some nice pay days if you have some control in the property
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- rideotm 13 years ago
  
  I just ran acorss a post by Jagged called Another Offline Marketing Income Stream....he did just this...good read
  
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rideotm 13 years ago

Maybe an introduction video on the site?
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New idea comes from knocking on doors.

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