The Real Estate market has finally fallen into a slump in the Twin Cities Metro Area.  Some experts believe that this slump may last 18 – 24 months.  We are experiencing the largest inventory of homes for sale in the past 20 years.  Average listing times are now running 3 – 4 months, instead of 2 – 4 weeks just a couple of years ago.  In fact, the higher-priced homes may take more than 6 months to sell.  Selling homes now requires marketing techniques more than simply: installing “For Sale” signpost, entering home data and photos onto the MLS, mailing “Just Listed” postcards, placing newspaper ads, and conducting Sunday Open Houses.

In order to sell Homes today with maximum net proceeds requires a Direct Marketing Program to Targeted Buyers.  The greater the degree of marketing exposure to the right audience, the greater the chance of receiving multiple offers - - - driving-up the sell price, even above market value!

The Walshes are dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional service.  Our approach would be to add “proactive” marketing techniques to the Marketing Plan.

Determine Targeted Buyers.  What are the typical demographics of these Buyers?  Where are they living now?  Where do they work?  What positions?  Lifestyle?  Age group?  Family size?

Determine the Special Home Features that would be of interest to the Targeted Buyer.

Establish a Direct Marketing Program to actively contact these Targeted Buyers and make them aware of the Benefits of the Special Home Features:

·         Contact Targeted Home Sellers.  These people have already made the decision to move, when they listed their own homes to sell.  Determine the demographics of the Targeted Buyer and then make contact with these Targeted Sellers.

·         If appropriate, contact First-time Homebuyers in the neighborhood.  Show them home ownership is more profitable than renting, and can be financed with no money down.

·         Hand-deliver Home Feature Sheets to all Local Realtors (Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker Burnet, Edina, Re-Max, Counselor, Century 21, etc.).  Even though many Buyers first look to the Internet in the early stages of the home buying process, approximately 85% of home purchases are made through the use of a Realtor.  Therefore, it makes good sense to actively market our listings to Targeted Buyers through their Local Realtors, and not merely passively depend on the MLS listing.

·         Contact Local Companies in the area.  Often employees want to live nearby their work.

·         Maximum Internet Exposure.  Listed properties are shown with up to ten (10) photos on enhanced web pages of critical websites and major portals, including

        Realtor.com                            KW.com                    AOL.com

        Homestore.com                    CBBurnet.com           MSN.com

        Minn-homes.com                  Edina.com                  Netscape.com

        Northstarmls.com                  Remax.com               Compuserve.com

·        Referral Networking.  Direct contact with past clients and business associates, etc.

·        Around the clock (24/7) availability ensures that you will be able to immediately receive Purchase Agreement offers that are written on the weekend.  The Walshes include their cell phone number on the MLS listing, so that prospective buyers can ask questions and find out information on your listing at any time, even after normal business hours.

·         Persistent follow-up activities following all showings via Realtor or Open House.  Weekly communications with the Sellers.

·         Verification of Buyer Pre-Approval status.  Make sure that the Buyer’s funds will be available on the scheduled closing date.

·         Face-to-face Presentations of Purchase Offers allows us the opportunity to more effectively negotiate for our clients.

We are so confident in our Marketing Program that we offer our clients the Right to Cancel the listing agreement at any time that the Sellers believe they can get better service elsewhere.

Planning to sell your home in the near future?  Who do you know who is about to move?  Give us a chance to show you in detail how our Marketing Program can net you the most money.