And a great day it was!!!

You know, I know most people probably just write strictly about real estate sales and so forth on their blog. I try to make mine a little more personal and interesting. I want to write about every single journey I have in real estate. I am not saying that I will opt out on the helpful/useful content, I just want to let you know that my blog will be a little more personal. So, if that’s okay with you…let’s move on! NEXT!

Today was a very eventful day. Did I mention it’s freezing over here? My co-worker and I, we actually had an open house today in Denham Springs, la. We also had an open house in Baton Rouge, la at our Beau Darren home (last Sunday)that we have listed.  Well, from that wonderful open house last Sunday, we got to meet some really wonderful people. And it just so happened that- someone that we met last Sunday wanted us to show them other houses today.  Conflict= open house 2-4 + someone wanting to see houses 2-4.

You know, I am very blessed to be able to have a wonderful side kick. I can’t be in two places at once but together we can be. She decided to do the open house and I decided to show the homes.  The couple were actually interested in the home on Beau Darren, but I put together a buyer’s packet and found other homes around the area to give them more variety. So, I showed them about four homes today and I think we actually found one that suited them just fine. It wasn’t our listing, but you know- sometimes you have to look out for what is best for the client and what YOU think is best for the client.

I really think that the market is starting to pick up. While I was showing homes, I got a call from a gentleman that was interested in a home that he saw in the www.re-finder.com. I was so excited. I have been working my tush off with all of our listings. I am trying to get them out there so they are not missed. I know there are so many search engines on the internet but I left no stone unturned.

 All in all, it was a great day. I got to really get to know my clients and what they are actually looking for. It really feels good to help people out and to find what they are looking for.  I hope this coming week goes as good as today did!

My Marketing Plan for Baton Rouge/ Denham Springs Homes/Real Estate!

I’ve read in several places that it’s good to have a solid marketing plan. Of course, it can only be so solid when working with a budget. I tried the farming idea. I came up with this brilliant idea to seek out apartment dwellers. I sent out over 500 postcards. Do you know that I pretty much received half of them back? It was a sad day in my marketing world. I feel like they are basically a hit or miss. I mean, how do you know that they are even thinking about buying a home? So, I decided to put my marketing funds into tweaking my website www.ForSaleByLindsay.com ! I am hoping that will get me boosted up in the search engines and get my name out here.

Marketing Plan 101

1. For starters, I publish an ad in the Real Estate Finder magazine once a month. I’ll have to be sure to post some of my ad’s b/c I am so proud of them. They have a great graphic designer. I thought that it would be a better idea, for now- to just list in the Real Estate Finder instead of sending postcards out to a certain area. Did you know that you have to send out at least 5 postcards for them to even remember you?

2. Since I publish in the Real Estate Finder, I am allowed to use their website www.re-finder.com for free. I love it. I think it runs in the search engines, google and trullia. I have had a number of hits from this and have gotten great exposure for my listings.

3. Open Houses Baby! I love open houses! I love meeting people and talking about homes. I am a home junkie. When I was younger, I loved to just ride through neighborhoods and look at houses. So, yeah…open houses..people+refreshments=gold.

4. I also do single property websites. This is where consumers can have information on my listings 24/7. Genius idea. I was thinking about doing the 1-800 number, where people can call and get the same information, but I assume that people want to see pictures and so forth. Ex. www.beaudarren.info

5.  Two weeks prior to my open houses, I place an ad in the advocate to inform people that it’s open house time.

6. The re-finder also has a section in their website that you can post about open houses. This is so helpful. I think that is why we had such a great turn out at the last open house, and possible b/c of the location. Remember- location, location, location- oh and free cookies. We also gave out a lot of freebies at this last open house. We made little goody bags w/ pens, sticky pads, candy, magnets, business cards and so forth. I was so excited about gettin the chance to give away freebies. Why, you ask? Well, I was suppose to be in the Denham Christmas parade back in December. I bought 350 water bottles w/ my name and logo and so forth. Well, once they came in the mail- they were a little top heavy. I just imagined myself trying to throw these water bottles out and giving someone a concusion. So, now I take them wherever I go and try to give them away as much as possible!

7. Craigs List. I put all of my listings on craig list, b/c it is free and you can’t beat free with a stick. I mean, you can try but I think it’s impossible. I have had a few leads just from craigs list.

8. Flyers, Flyers, Flyers

9. Word of Mouth

10. MLS system, of course this is a given.

I am still working on my marketing plan and what I have to offer my clients. I am brain storming constantly trying to come up with unique ideas, so I will continue to storm the brain and will get back to this one later.

Baton Rouge Real Estate/ The Grinch Tree!

I’m so excited about the house I just listed. They owners are so pleasant to work with and the house is going to be a goner. It’s right off of Tiger Bend road. It’s perfect for a starter home. I think it’s so cozy. The neatest thing (that doesn’t come with the house) is the Christmas tree. Have you ever seen an upside down Christmas tree? It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.  I think it was a spin off of “The Grinch That Stole Christmas”. They had it decorated with grinch ornaments, and the presents were actually on top of the tree. I had never seen anything like it. If I hadn’t of already bought my tree and decorated it, I would have gotten this one.

Speaking of Christmas, I can’t believe it’s just around the corner. I had my tree up before Thanksgiving and had all my shopping done the same day. I’m such a nerd when it comes to that.  I really don’t like waiting last minute. It’s so chaotic. So, I do a lot of my shopping way before Christmas, that way I don’t even have to think about going to the mall. I actually tried to go to the mall today to get my son’s picture taken with Santa. Bad idea. Everyone and their mother were there. Actually, there were two schools there waiting in line for Santa. I’m thinking…uh, I’ll come back next year. It was a two hour wait.

Back to the house. The house has 3 bedrooms and two bath. It has a fireplace and all surround sound. The kitchen is the cutest with ceramic tile and crown molding. The owners have taken such good care of it. Why are they moving? I’m glad you asked. haha They are wanting to build. Did I mention that there was a flat screen tv in the bathroom? I was so jealous. So, you can actually lay in the tub, fill it with bath bubbles and watch Oprah. Okay, you don’t “have” to watch Oprah but it does seem very relaxing.

The house is going for $199,000. We are having an open house this Sunday from 2-4. I thought it would be a great idea to have a gift basket drawing. People love free stuff. I love free stuff. lol I might put my own name in the bowl. Well, that’s enough for now. I’ll keep things up to date as far as the listing goes.