Friday, March 29, 2024

Lisa Gray

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Lisa is an accomplished marketer with years of expertise in direct response marketing, digital marketing, data analytics and business development working with both B2C and B2B.

    Although the return on investment for home improvements isn’t as significant as it once was, some home renovations are still wise investments and increase value, especially in a changing or down market.

    The latest research finds that curb appeal can add “… up to 7% of a home’s value when sold,” according to associate professor Sriram Villupuram who led a study from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).

    “The curb appeal premium is more pronounced during housing market weakness …” the study concluded. 

    Let’s look at some of the study’s findings that you can pass on to your listing clients to help them get more money at the closing table.


    The Curb Appeal postcard from the Content Card Series is shown above. To see this card or more options, Click HERE.


    New siding/paint

    When considering ways to increase curb appeal, you can’t go wrong by recommending your clients get new siding. 

    This will increase the homeowner’s “… home value by about $12,500, claims CreditKarma.com’s Andrew Dunn, citing a recent real estate Cost vs. Value report. “This also assumes that about 1,250 square feet of new siding were installed and represents a 67% return on investment,” he concludes.

    If your listing lacks siding, urge your clients to paint the home’s exterior. While estimates of the ROI for fresh paint are varied, “…it’s the least expensive investment for the biggest return,” according to Jennie Norris with the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.

    Be the agent-in-the-know by offering suggestions on current trends. These include “… colors in the ‘greige’ family,” suggests Mekaila Oaks at Redfin.com. She claims that Kelly Moore’s ‘Gallery Gray,’ with ‘Desert Shadow’ as an accent color, will have buyers getting out of their cars and in the front door.

    Add new windows

    Not only will the addition of new, energy-efficient windows offer an 85% return on your client’s investment, but they may just be able to get a nice tax credit to boot.

    Suggest to your clients a visit to energy.gov to learn how to shop for energy-efficient windows.

    Spiff up the landscaping

    Landscaping renewal’s ROI has been the subject of many studies over the past decade. “Numerous studies have shown that trees increase the value of a property from 3.5 to 27 percent,” according to the experts at the Arbor Day Foundation.

    They go on to say that “An analysis of 844 single-family homes that sold in Athens, Georgia, revealed that houses with an average of five trees (regardless of species) in the front yard sold for 3.5 to 4.5 percent more than comparable houses without trees.”

    Recommend that your sellers visit ArborDay.org’s tree database to find trees growing well in your area.

    Then, suggest they remove weeds, green up the lawn, plant some color and apply fresh mulch to the beds.

    There are workarounds to the uncertainty of the current market. Ensure your clients understand that curb appeal can either compel buyers to get out of the car to view the rest of the house or drive to their next showing.


    PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.

    1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine

    Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts combined with engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you.

    Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card!Click Here


    2. The Free 12-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

    The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

    3. The BusinessBase, SOI building system

    The most effective thing you can do to build a real estate business is to become more visible, more likable, and remembered more often. The BusinessBASE™ not only checks these boxes but is also a business-building machine. In two easy steps, you can begin to build a robust sphere of influence that will provide you a lifetime of repeat business and referrals. – Click Here

    4. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

    The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

    5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

    Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here


      “A recent poll revealed 66% of Americans aren’t friends with their neighbors,” according to Susan Meyer at thezebra.com. More than one-fourth of those surveyed, however, took part in neighborhood groups online.

      While the internet has whittled away many Americans ‘real-life relationships, all it takes is one person to rally neighbors into turning a neighborhood into a community. 

      Your position in the community as a facilitator in home purchases and sales makes you the perfect person to get the ball rolling.

      Did we also mention that it’s an amazing lead-generation strategy as well?

      Getting to know the neighbors

      There are plenty of ways to get to know your neighbors. If you like to walk, make it a point when folks are out and about, working in the yard or the garage. Stop and say hi, introduce yourself, and ensure that you remember their names. 

      If this tactic doesn’t expose you to enough neighbors, try door knocking, leaving postcards, or door hangers introducing yourself on the doors unanswered.


      The Photo Introduction Series is shown above. To learn more, Click HERE.


      Become a one-person welcome wagon

      Visiting new neighbors with a housewarming gift in hand not only makes them feel a sense of community but it’s something they won’t forget. You’ll be forever memorable. 

      The gift can be as simple as a list including contact information for:

      • Utility companies they’ll need to call
      • Pool service providers
      • Handyman/woman 
      • Highly rated doctors, dentists, and veterinarians
      • Child care options
      • Any other mentions you think someone new to the neighborhood may appreciate
      Create an event to bring everyone together

      This idea can be used later in your relationship with neighbors or as a first step instead of visiting each one individually.

      The type of event you create depends on how many neighbors you expect to show up and your budget. 

      It could be as simple as a barbecue at your home, a neighborhood cleanup event, or the ever-popular movie-in-the-park. 

      Whatever you choose to do, ensure you take lots of photos and then follow up with each attendee.


      PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.

      1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine

      Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts combined with engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you.

      Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card!Click Here


      2. The Free 12-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

      The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

      3. The BusinessBase, SOI building system

      The most effective thing you can do to build a real estate business is to become more visible, more likable, and remembered more often. The BusinessBASE™ not only checks these boxes but is also a business-building machine. In two easy steps, you can begin to build a robust sphere of influence that will provide you a lifetime of repeat business and referrals. – Click Here

      4. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

      The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

      5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

      This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

      Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here


        Donna Caccioppo recently ordered a postcard from the Content Card Series, shown above. To see more from this series, Click Here.


        Congratulations, Donna Caccioppo, on winning this week’s contest!

        Donna Caccioppo had the following words to say about her success sending marketing out from ProspectsPLUS!,

        “I love the customer service provided by ProspectsPLUS! as well as their robust design tool. It is extremely easy to create your own material and when you are done, it looks so professional. I have had people hold onto my postcards for years because they knew they would want to sell their homes one day. Guess what? I got those listings; thank you, ProspectPLUS!!”

        -Donna Caccioppo

        Donna, thank you for this wonderful feedback. We truly appreciate you and your support!

        Don’t Forget to Enter For Your Chance to Win a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card! (see how below)*
        What Can You Do With a $125 ProspectsPLUS! Gift Card? Here are 5 Things:
        • Launch and pay for the first month of a Sphere or Farm Scheduled Campaign consisting of 130 jumbo postcards.
        • Send 130 jumbo Just Listed or Just Sold Postcards to a radius surrounding your listing.
        • Send 130 Jumbo Get More Listings postcards to an area where you want more listings.
        • Create a niche prospect list (empty nesters, move-up market, etc.) and mail 130 jumbo postcards.

        HOW TO ENTER: Just leave a review regarding how using marketing from ProspectsPLUS! has impacted your business, and you’re automatically entered into our next contest.

        Leave a review on Google HERE.
        Leave a review on Facebook, HERE.

        *If you’ve already entered our contest in the past and haven’t won, you don’t need to enter again. Your entry remains valid, and you still have a chance to win.

        Don’t forget to watch for next Friday’s email announcing the weekly winner!


        PLUS: When you have time…below are some helpful tools to support your success.

        1. The Free 12-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

        The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments are included, niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

        2. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

        The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closings, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

        3. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

        This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

        Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here


          Marketing is a crucial part of any business, specifically a real estate business because it helps in the following ways,
          • It promotes your services to target audiences,
          • Builds brand recognition,
          • And generate leads and sales. 

          However, for marketing to be effective, it must be seen by consumers repeatedly. 

          There is a term for this: “Brand Conditioning.” Over time, this type of marketing of a product or service results in a higher conversion rate due to increased consumer confidence.

          Repeat exposure to a brand or message is necessary for the brand to psychologically impact consumer behavior – it’s the true science of marketing.

          Here are Five Ways Repeat Exposure to Real Estate Marketing Works: 

          Reason # 1 – Repeat exposure helps to build brand recognition. 

          Consumers must be familiar with your brand to trust it enough to consider using your services. The term for this is “Brand awareness.”

          Brand awareness measures how memorable and recognizable your brand is to a target audience.

          With repeat exposure, consumers become more familiar and more likely to remember your brand, thus increasing brand confidence and awareness. 

          Once they understand your brand, they can differentiate it from other competing brands as well.


          The Looking For Listings Scheduled Campaign is shown above. To learn more, Click HERE.


          Reason #2 – Repeat exposure helps to reinforce the message you are delivering. 

          When consumers are exposed to your message multiple times, they are more likely to remember what’s special about you and your business; your value proposition.

          A value proposition is a service or feature about your real estate business that makes you attractive to customers. Hopefully, it is unique as well.

          An example might be, “my years of experience allow me to sell homes faster”.

          Understanding your message has a stronger impact on their long-term behavior toward your business. 

          Reason #3 – Repeat exposure to your message is important for the lead generation cycle.

          When a consumer is exposed to your brand multiple times, they’re more likely to take action and reach out to you for your services. 

          This is because your brand message is reinforced with each mailing that you send and the consumer is more likely to remember it when making a decision on a realtor. 

          In fact, scientific studies have proven a consumer needs to be exposed to the marketing of a business on average 20 times to be sold on using that service or buying that product.

          It takes seeing the marketing 5 times before a consumer will stop and read it.

          Reason # 4 – Repeat exposure to your brand illustrates your professionalism and ups your credibility.

          It demonstrates that you are committed to marketing, including delivering a consistent and strong message over time.

          This is perceived by the consumer as a form of marketing or a level of professionalism that you will likely carry through to your real estate clients and the marketing of their homes.

          As they say, “the proof is in the putting.” You can tell a potential client how much you will market for them, but showing them through your marketing is a much more powerful demonstration. 

          Reason #5 – Repeat exposure to your branding is essential for developing relationships. 

          By delivering a consistent brand message, you can build relationships with your target audience as they slowly get to know you better and rely on your content. 

          They begin to see you as the local area expert based on the “Just Sold” and Just Listed” success stories you send them, the educational content they receive from you, and the local area market stats you share.

          Now that you understand the importance of marketing repetition 

          Launching a scheduled postcard campaign is an easy way to get in front of your market and stay there long enough to develop the brand recognition we’ve discussed above.

          ProspectsPLUS! offers over 40 scheduled postcard campaigns in various niches, and it takes only seconds to set one up. 

          Once your campaign is launched, your postcards are automatically delivered month after month to your market while you attend to other high-level tasks.

          To learn more about scheduled campaigns, Click HERE.

          PLUS: When you have time…below are some marketing tools to help support your success.

          1. Put Your Real Estate Business a Step Above with Your Own Branded Magazine

          Homes & Life Magazine is a customizable magazine with rich, full-color content and a sharp, professional aesthetic. It includes compelling, direct response-driven articles written by real estate industry experts combined with engaging lifestyle content. Send out Homes & Life Magazine in Just Minutes – No Minimums Required. Or we’ll ship it to you.

          Homes & Life Magazine is the ultimate “Coffee Table Lingerer”! …and it costs less than sending a greeting card!Click Here


          2. The Free 12-Month Done-For-You Strategic Marketing Plan

          The Real Estate Marketing Planner is a powerful 12-Month-Guide that strategically defines what marketing to do and when. Four key market segments include niche Markets, geographic farming, sphere of influence, and past clients. – Click Here

          3. The BusinessBase, SOI building system

          The most effective thing you can do to build a real estate business is to become more visible, more likable, and remembered more often. The BusinessBASE™ not only checks these boxes but is also a business-building machine. In two easy steps, you can begin to build a robust sphere of influence that will provide you a lifetime of repeat business and referrals. – Click Here

          4. The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan

          The Free Interactive Real Estate Business Plan allows you to enter your business goals for this year and get a breakdown of how many prospects, listings, closing, and so on are needed to reach your goals.  – Click Here

          5. The Become a Listing Legend Free eBook 

          This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Become-A-Listing-Legend-3D-Book-White-274x300.jpg

          Ready to take a vertical leap in your real estate career? If you’re looking for inspiration…and the tools and methods to dominate a market and go to the top in real estate…you’ll find them in this free book. – Click Here