The Irresistible Puppy Theory Applied to Real Estate Sales

Today after I dropped the kiddies off at school I happened across a cold wandering brindled puppy with a black button nose and socks. "Screech" went the brakes and out I jumped to save that puppy from certain doom! So he runs to me in a pitiful manner and lets me pick him up. At some point I found myself driving down the road with this warm sleeping pup on the passenger seat and the sale was made, JUST LIKE THAT. I worried about what I'd do with him when I got home!

I live in Big Canoe, Georgia (and sell Big Canoe real estate) where they have a very active Animal Rescue. I called the director, met her in her driveway, and  she followed me over to the Big Canoe Animal Shelter where she gave the little fella some Front-line for his fleas, dewormed him, gave him a collar, leash, and some food.  My only part in this is to foster him until he gets adopted or until a space opens in the shelter. He is NEXT on the list. Please note this is yet another UNPLANNED event in the series that is my life! Why did I do it? BECAUSE he was IRRESISTIBLE! Then the light bulb went off over my head!

As a former "philosophy major" (see Mom, my education is useful!) I feel comfortable tying two completely different concepts together and proposing a whole new approach to increasing sales. It could almost be foolproof if we can bring the theory to reality and try it our in the real estate field. Please read the following general puppy questions    

Why are puppies so irresistible? Puppy breath, floppy ears, cute clumsy paws,

Where are you most likely to come across a puppy? A grocery store parking lot, the paper, side of the road.

Of the puppies you may have acquired over the years, how many of them were adopted on the spur  of  the moment? How many were planned? Personally, I have done both, but more of them were spur of the moment.

Thank you for getting this far. Hopefully you agree with many of the sample answers I have written and you may have a few of your own. Now apply these to your customers. See questions below:

What homes do your customers find irresistible? Some homes are just plain cuter than others and beckon buyers! But to be honest beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every house is attractive to someone.

Where do your customers find these homes?The paper, Internet, drive-by signs, and visiting friends in their neighborhoods. Who out there has never pulled a flyer out of a 4-Sale box in a friend's neighborhood?

Of the homes that your customers have bought, How many were spontaneous? How many were planned?This is not exactly the market for spontaneity but I had a sale this month that was, BECAUSE the house was so irresistible!

 

OK Obviously the first question is related to desirability; puppies are cute, and they just make you feel good. When your customers are in a home that makes them all giddy, remember it and step off to the side to check your voice mail or something to give them time to bond with the house. If possible spray some "PUPPY BREATH" air freshener too!

The second question is advertising. Like puppies, your listings are irresistible to someone, but they won't know it until they SEE IT. Check your exposure and think of at least 3 more places you can post that home.

The third question ties in to the first. It's the "tail end" of your meeting with the customers. Most of my customers come to me with plans to buy a home. Some want to wait a few years, until they retire. Others are considering moving and shopping around at neighborhoods. This is the part where the puppies have the advantage. Most of the time puppies are "FREE" to good homes. Rarely do you see a sign that says "Free Home" to good Buyers! The whole point is to try to convert the "Someday's" into right now"Right Now's" by making the home irresistible!

Please take this all with a grain of salt I'm suffering from a case of Puppy-Love!!!

~Karin Elliott 
Featured Big Canoe Real Estate
Living in Big Canoe