|
Talking House Comments from Century 21 agents. |
| Sell a home and rent a Transmitter
"I recently sold one of my listings — it had been on the market for over a year when I got the listing after it expired with another agent. The happy owner told me he never saw so many people stop in front of the house! It was on a dead end street but I had an arrow at the main drag. He now wants to rent a unit from me to take to Illinois to help sell an investment property." Rudi Braun |
| Talking House vs. Flyers
"On the question of Flyers, versus Talking House, I do both. My Talking Houses refer to the info box they are sitting there looking at out their car window. The message sells the house but also entices them to take a flyer. The flyer allows them to take home with them more info on the home and sells them on calling into the IVR system. You gotta load all the guns you can folks. I've been doing both for years. It's not an argument of one over another." Jim Beardsley |
| Celebrity Voices are fun
"I love the Celebrities voices! I ordered four — Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Billy Crystal and Jack Palance. I’ll probably get 10 more. Thanks and keep up the good work!!" Sandra Glantz, |
| It just makes me different
"Everyone else in my market is doing pretty much the same things. Right now they use a lot of flyer boxes. But people feel strange walking on other people’s property. With my Talking Houses, they don’t have to. I really love these, they make me so different from the crowd. By the way, thanks for getting the mention in my local newspaper about me being the Real Estate Innovator in my area. It’s nice to be recognized. I used an early version Transmitter some time ago and liked them just because they made me different from everyone else. Now that I have the latest version, I find them more convenient and no bother." John Jebaily |
| Message tip that gets listings
"If you want your listing prospects to value Talking House, take it away from them! On my messages, I say ‘If you’d like to find out if your home qualifies to be a Talking House, call me today.’ People call wanting to know what it takes, and if they do qualify. I have a nice spiel about what it takes, but basically, if they list with me at a fair price, they get it. You’d be amazed at the effect it has on people -- if they have to qualify, they want it even more. My messages also stress my web site. I get great traffic to my site -- around 1500 hits a month. (WWW.Steve-Hatfield.com) I recently got a call from an owner around the corner from a Talking House I’d just sold. He had listed his home with his sister-in-law, and now wanted to fire her to get Talking House. He literally said ‘You’re the one that had that Talking thing, right? Can you list my home and give me that?’ Of course I did! I’ll make about 4 grand on that listing alone. Thanks." Steve Hatfield |
| Including price in the message
"After I give the price, I always say ‘if this beautiful home is not in the price range you’re looking for, call me anyhow. I’ll find you the perfect home in your price range.’ That gets me the call either way. I get buyers. By the way, this is a Great Closer on listing presentations. Sellers really go for it! Why wouldn’t they? It’s free!" Buddy Bernard |
| 2-Sided Sales
"I recently listed a house, and made it a Talking House. A driveby called me while out front listening to the Talking House message. They were so excited. And they bought the house. I got both sides! Doubled my Commission! Thanks again." Teresa Johnson |
| I Got My First Double-Sided Sale
"Thank you Talking House, because I just got my first double-sided sale. I sent a FSBO a video before I actually got the Transmitters. He loved the video and wanted Talking House, and me to list his house. I installed the Transmitter right after I got it and the house sold immediately. This same guy also had another house for sale and I sold that one too. So far I’ve made over $10,000 off just these two deals and really haven’t had to work that hard at it. It’s more than paid for the Transmitters - and I just got them!" Ron Clonts |
| "What I like best about Talking House is...
...how it helped me start from scratch. I recently moved to another state and had to start my real estate career all over. I got my first listing, and made it a Talking House the next day. The phone started ringing off the hook! Not just buyers - I’m talking sellers - wanting to know how they could get one for their home. Needless to say I was able to get them Talking House. I got several listings right in a row, all because I had Talking House and no one else did. Now I’m known in town as the Talking House Real Estate Agent. Larry Leach |
| Fun Script Ideas
Bob Jegier, with Coldwell Banker in Connecticut, likes to make his Talking House messages talk, just like it’s the house that’s doing the talking. He shared some clever script ideas, that you might want to try as part of your message: 2) At the open house, I heard the Real Estate Agents say I was really cute. Now...I remember that just last week, that handsome colonial down the block said the same thing about me -- right to my front door. Needless to say I blushed. I thought he was only trying to flirt... Then, in a hushed and confidential voice: Don’t tell him, but I’m only 15 years old! 3) With all the trees on my 3.4 acres, I get to listen to the birds a lot. They sing to me and my owners from early morning till well after the sun goes down....That’s not all they do, but I have one of those great self-cleaning (slate) roofs! You get the idea. Have fun, get listeners chuckling. Get them thinking of YOU, rather than your competition. If you have any nice script ideas, let me know so I can pass them on! Bill Coren |
| Great Presentation Tip
I put Talking House in an Open House this weekend, and I never had so many people stop by. It was incredible. Everyone commented on it. I think the sign did it. It really grabs peoples’ attention. Thanks. Jenny Jimenez |
| Great Presentation Tip
I’m sure most Talking House agents take a Transmitter with them on a presentation. That works great. But here’s a new twist. I sit down with prospects who are considering listing their home with me. I set the Talking House Transmitter, in the nice carrying bag, on the table next to me. I make sure the logo on the bag is face up, so they can read ‘Talking House: Homes That Talk Just Sell Faster.’ Then I make my regular presentation, without mentioning the bag. It nags them. They keep looking at it, and re-reading the slogan. Finally, they have to ask ‘So what’s this thing that sells homes faster??.’ Then I smile, and start to tell them about this great innovation. The moral: wait until they ask about it, and you have a more attentive audience! Graham Dickson |
| Humor Adds to the Script
Right after my transmitters arrived I read all the newsletters. After doing that, I decided that I would ad some humor to my scripts. So, at the very end I changed my voice to sound very relieved and said: Boy, that was quite a mouthful! I’m sure glad I got thru that okay!.....oh yeah....thanks for listening! Long pause, then I changed to upset and a little annoyed and said: What, you want me to say all that stuff again? Then I sigh and say, Okay, here it goes.... Thanks again for all your great ideas in the newsletter to help get me started. Wendy Pulsifer |
| What I like best about Talking House is...
...that sellers have reported a huge increase in people stopping by and tuning in, thanks to the Talking House yard signs, and directional signs you provide. The first home I made a Talking House went under contract in just 15 days! In our slow market, that’s great. One of my sellers heard the message for the first time, and said ‘Wow, I might just keep it! I didn’t realize how great my house is!’ The sample messages you sent really made the script ‘zing.’ That seller was also very impressed that I’m the only agent in town using Talking House. Gail Smith |
| Interesting Messages Work
Talking House has been a tremendous listing tool! One of my best results was from a message I did with the accent of Robin Leach of Life-styles of the Rich & Famous. Phrases like Enjoy the wonderful Jacuzzi tub where you’ll say, ‘Calgon, take me away!’...are definite attention getters. One home buyer asked me how much I had to pay Robin Leach to do my messages. I simply said, ‘I spare no expense for my clients.’ They thought it was a wonderful tool to get their home sold too. I’ve been using Talking House for over a year, with great results. Buyers call to see the inside of a home just because the message sounded so enticing. I’m able to really sound excited when I speak into a microphone - much more so than in person sometimes! Don Wixom |
| Great FSBO Approach
I've been phoning high-end FSBOs. I've found something that works. When I call them, I ask if they're willing to pay a commission if I provide a buyer. They usually say ‘yes,' and ask if I have a buyer (expecting that I do.) I say ‘no'! Then I tell them that I have a great way to get a buyer, called Talking House. I tell them all about it I just got a $895,000 home willing to pay a 3% for a buyer. He had to have Talking House about 15 seconds into my demonstration. I've made the home a Talking House, and I'm getting calls from well-to-do prospects. I've gotten other homes with the same deal, and I get calls from prospects who I then can show other listings too. I put these out to get prospects. If I sell the home and get a big commission, that's even better. Lee Stone |
| Sponsors bring me big bucks
"The response to my Talking Houses has been great. I have 3 sponsors -- 2 mortgage companies and a title company -- paying me over $600 every month to get a pitch on my Talking Houses! I knew these guys, and they know they'll get great exposure with me." Carl Van Wesep |
| "These darn Talking Houses...
just keep getting me more and more listings! I need you to send me 7 more Transmitters. And I'm the ‘office innovator,' so remember to include 2 more free Transmitters! Thanks. Denis Bryant |
| Greatest weekend ever!
We're so excited. This was our greatest weekend ever. We just got our Talking Houses, and I was putting up a Talking House sign at a listing when a car literally screeched up and stopped to listen! After listening through the message, they demanded to see the home -- which was great, ‘cause I was right there. My partner made 3 presentations this weekend, and they all were just crazy about Talking House. Pattie Sherrill |
| Great TV Spot
"Thanks to your efforts, KTNV-Ch13 ran a wonder spot on me last Friday on the evening news. You really couldn't beat it. They filmed me in front of the home, next to my sign -- with a big SOLD on top -- and the Talking House sign. They talked to the home sellers, who were so excited about how quickly Talking House sold their home. It was much longer than you'd think, and there was a nice lead-in from the news anchor. I know it was watched by lots of people. I'm going to see about combining that nice news piece with the Talking House video, so that I have it personalized, with great credibility from the local TV station. Thanks again for you efforts. John Wehrhahn |
| Get listings and Save Listings
"Sellers sure love my Talking Houses. I was chatting with an expired listing, where the previous agent had used a hot-line number on the sign. The sellers fell in love with Talking House, and kept saying to me how there are so few car phones, but everyone has a car radio. I got the listing, of course. It also saved a $275,000 listing for me. It was about to expire when my first batch of Transmitters arrived. It told the woman about Talking House, showed it off, and stressed how I would use it for "special listings." But there was a problem -- it was very expensive, and I couldn't afford to put it on an expiring listing, unless she wanted to re-list. She loved it, and said "of course." She listed for a full year to get Talking House! I'm up to 16 Talking Houses already. Thanks." Carl Van Wesep |
| Double-sided Sales
"Here's a copy of a great newspaper story you got run for me. As you can see, it covered a lot of the page, and had a nice picture of me. I just loved it. By the way, I just double sided a sale in less than 2 weeks, thanks to Talking House. And on a recent market evaluation, the 8 year old ran up and said to me ‘are you going to make our house talk?' Of course I did. Pretty neat. Everyone's talking about me and my Talking Houses. Thanks." Ellie Everson |
| Price Tip
"I had a beautiful listing, and made a great Talking House message for it. I included everything but the price. I got 2 showing as soon as I put up the Talking House sign. One prospect actually said they loved everything they heard, and now just needed to see it and get the price. It was perfect, because I got them very interested, but kept complete control. If the home is attractively price, I'll include it of course. But some homes need to be seen to be appreciated." Carl Van Wesep |
| Another listing...
"....by the way, Talking House just got me another listing. I made a listing presentation, and I really didn't feel like I was going to get it. They said they several other agents to talk to. But they called me the next day, and were anxious to list. Frankly, I was a little surprised When I asked them specifically why they had decided to list with me, they said "you were well prepared, and we really want that Talking House." I'm sure the other agents were prepared -- but I had an edge. Talking House. Cookie Palinski |
| Have Sellers Help You with the Message
"I had a prospect who was going to list with me. The home had been listed with another agent, and they were very disappointed with the effort they got from that agent. As we chatted, I told him all about Talking House. I wanted him to know I go a step further than the other agents. He could tell how excited I was, and seemed to get excited too. He asked me to leave the "Selling Your Home" video, and pick it up that afternoon when I brought by the contract. When I got back that afternoon, he was very excited. In fact, he went around the house with pen and paper and wrote out all the special features that he knew about the home, so the message would be special. And I had so much fun doing the message! I used his ideas, and his comments about things he would miss (like watching the wild-life through the big back windows) to really paint a wonderful picture of the home. I can't wait for people to tune in. By the way, I showed the Video to a mortgage broker friend, and she was blown away. She wanted in as a sponsor -- ‘whatever it costs.' Thanks." Mary Brinning |
| Success in Hours
"Recently, some friends listed their home with me. Although I talked to them about Talking House from the beginning, they seemed hesitant. Maybe they thought it was just a little "gimmicky." But after 3 weeks and plenty of frustration, they agreed to let me use the Talking House. I put the Transmitter in on Saturday evening, and early Sunday morning I received a message on my pager from a prospective buyer! He had ‘tuned in,' and was anxious for a tour. I ‘double dipped' the property that evening (less than 24 hours from the time the Talking House went up). Needless to say, my friends were blown away! Thanks." Richard Landuyt CRB GRI |
| Instant Success
"Took a listing on Sunday. I put a Talking House on that listing Monday. Wrote a full listing price contract Tuesday. Enough said." Paul Cramer |
| Welcome new neighbors
"I sold a nice couple a home, that was not one of my listings. Once they closed, and were moving in, I made this home a Talking House. I also added to the top of the Talking House sign, with the words "neighbors tune in." When neighbors tuned in, they heard who their new neighbors are, that Gerald and Luanne are great people, and I invited them to please drop by and say "hi." I also mentioned my name, and that I helped them find this great home. A nice plug for me. I let it play about 2 weeks, and during that time a dozen neighbors stopped over. They were impressed that they could tune in, and my buyers thought it was wonderful how I got them introduced to the neighborhood. I know they'll tell their friends about what I did for them. And thanks for the great story you got run about me in the Arlington Morning News." Larry Kloepping |
| Super free publicity
"You can't buy the kind of Free Press coverage you guys have gotten me! I was on the KHOG-TV (ABC) station on their 6:00 p.m. news, and they re-ran the story again at 8:00 the next morning. I was also on the front page of the Business Section in the Sunday Edition of the N.W. Arkansas Times. Big article with a photo. And I had a very nice interview on Public Radio. People have been stopping me on the street to tell me about seeing me on TV, or in the papers. My Transmitters have been paid for 10 times over just in the Free Publicity alone! Thanks for all your help. Bob Fisk |
| Neighbor got me a quick listing and sale
Recently, a seller had a home listed near one of my Talking Houses. That seller had moved out of town, and apparently was not happy with the efforts of his current agent. His neighbor, who was looking after the home, told him about my Talking House around the corner. She had stopped by and listened, and naturally thought it was terrific! The neighbor urged the seller to have that Talking House edge. Happily, the seller called my office to speak to "the agent with that Talking House." And he did list his home with me. The great news is that it sold within the first week! Does Talking House work? You betcha!! Thanks Talking House. Cookie Palinski |
| INTERNET Solution
In my area, buyers can get the addresses of MLS homes right over their home computer. So they go driving around with list in hand. The problem is, they don't get a real feel for the home from that print-out, and I don't get to talk to them. With Talking House, I solve that problem. Now, when they drive up, I'm "there" to paint a full picture of that home, and introduce myself. They are then more comfortable calling me for a showing -- of that home, or any other home on the list. Talking House turns an INTERNET problem into an opportunity. Susie Stockton |
| Rent Spare Transmitters to Other Agents
"I'm primarily a listing broker, and my 15 Talking House Transmitters really help with that. I want to have Transmitters for all my listings -- it would be a mistake to miss a listing because I didn't have enough Transmitters to go around! There are times, though, depending on the season, when I sometimes have a couple extra units I don't have out in my own listings. I now offer these spares to new agents in my office who are just starting out, and need some help. I rent them out for $25 per month, so I quickly pay for the Transmitters, and even have some extra money at the same time. And my spares are available when I need them again." Dan Fabbri |
| Impress Builders, Promote Yourself
"I've found a great way to showcase a builder, and really help myself at the same time. Then on a regular basis, update the recording, first talking about the special care taken with the foundation. Then detailing the framing in. Describing the special design features, and showcase the skills of the builder. This really taps into people's curiosity. Potential buyers stop by regularly, keeping tabs on the project. The builder can also attract custom jobs, as people looking for a builder hear about the special care he is taking on this home. And I know that as other builders see what is happening, they'll want to list with you and get their projects "on the air" too. This is also easy to accomplish. Put the Transmitter in a security system box or electric box. It's water-resistant, and padlocked. The builder has an electrician mount it on the power pole, and as a final security touch, put a "High Voltage" sticker on the box. Nobody is ever going to mess with it! Of course, this is also a great commercial for you. When prospects tune in, they get comfortable with you, and are much more likely to buy from you. Double-siding sales is always great. And you get a chance to pitch for listings, too. Most drive-by prospects have a home to sell. I strongly suggest Talking House users approach builders and offer this special service. Be sure you use Transmitters with extended time, so you can really do a great job promoting everyone involved. Buzz Brown |
| Talking House With a Flyer Box
I recently had a woman leave a message for me on the company answering machine at 10:15 at night. She specifically wanted Cookie to call her. She had driven by one of my Talking Houses. She is new to the area, and because of my message, wanted to deal with me. She was very interested in a $244,000 house she had listened to. She told me she had been riding around the area, and saw my Talking House sign. The home also had an info box, and I encourage everyone who "tunes in" to the Talking House to also take a flyer. I think it makes sense to hit prospects both ways. This particular box was empty, however (don't they always seem to be). But she was still able to hear all about the house over her car radio. It sounded so good, she decided to set up an appointment to see it. When she and I first talked, she specifically commented that if there had just been an empty flyer box, and no Talking House, she would have just driven away. Good bye, commission. But instead, she heard lots of things she really liked and called me." And I've got to tell you about the free publicity your press releases have gotten me so far! The Sunday News called me and asked me to do a story on my "Talking Houses." The story dominated the front page of the "Homefinder" section. They ran a 6" X 8" photo of me in front of a Talking House. And the story talked all about my special service, and even listed a number of addresses for readers to drive by and "tune in," as well as my phone number. The story was so full of details that it ran onto another page. I'll laminate a copy, and make it part of my listing presentation -- that adds real credibility. I really appreciate you mailing and faxing all those press releases out for me. These are just a few of the many great things that have happened in the short time since I made my listings "talk." My sellers love the idea, and when I went on a listing appointment recently, the home sellers said "yes" to me and "no" to another agent who did not provide Talking House. It's definitely the competitive edge I need! Thanks. Cookie Palinski |
| Re-list Your Own Expiring Listings
"I recently had a listing that was about to expire. I signed the listing months before I ordered my first 10 Broadcasters, and I had not had a chance to make it "talk." Luckily, I had just ordered 20 more Broadcasters, so I was able to make it a Talking House. The Seller was so impressed that he happily re-listed with me. Best of all, he reduced the price because he knew it would be heard by every drive-by. Thanks". Paul Cramer |
| Co-Host with a Mortgage Broker
You can script your Talking House messages for greater listening interest and fun if you co-host your message time with a Mortgage Broker. After you've read most of a nice message script, and have really drawn a picture of the home for prospects, your "co-host" might pipe in with helpful details on financing rates and timing. You might add something along the following lines near the end of your message: "This home sure is packed with wonderful features. With me here now is Bob Smith with Fidelity Mortgage. Bob, what's it going to take to own this fine home?" Bob: 'Jim, we've got 30 year mortgages available with just 5% down. And rates are way down from the highs of last year. Based on the list price for the home, monthly payments with taxes are going to be around $700 per month. We can get someone approved for a loan in just 24 hrs.. If you have any questions about mortgages, just give me a call. It's Bob Smith, Fidelity Mortgage, 922-1010.' Jim: Thanks so much for that helpful information, Bob. And if you have any questions about this lovely home, or would like an immediate tour, just give me a call. This is Jim Jones, with Jones Talking House Realty. I'm at 922-2020. Thanks again for listening. And if you missed anything, just sit tight, this message is about to start over." This kind of back and forth really fits with a radio "feel," and adds credibility. The Mortgage Broker may split the cost with you for a bunch of Broadcasters. It's great exposure. If you have a version of this idea you like, please share it with The Newsletter. Ron Hawkins |
