Creative thinking pays off for local Realtor on The Murfreesboro Post

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Creative thinking pays off for local Realtor

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By: ERIN EDGEMON, Post Contributor

Posted: Sunday, July 11, 2010 5:10 am

Creative thinking pays off for local Realtor

Realtor Barbara Nelson was featured in Realtor Magazine for her creative marketing idea of a garage sale with an open house. TMP/E. Edgemon

Local real estate agent Barbara Nelson isn’t afraid to try new things.

“You have got to try to be creative” in today’s real estate market to draw attention to some properties, she said.

So about six years ago when she was faced with a unique property that needed to sell fast, Nelson decided to hold a garage sale at the same time as the open house.

“You can’t sell a home if you can’t get people in it. (A garage sale) just gets more people in your house which allows more people to see it which increases the odds” of selling it.

Nelson, a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker – Snow & Wall, knew from personal experience that people will drive for miles following garage sale signs.

This idea has garnered Nelson some national attention.

Her marketing idea was included in the article “8 Clever Ways to Land More Clients” in the online edition of Realtor Magazine, the official magazine of The National Association of Realtors.

The magazine was looking for submissions of creative and unique ideas that could help Realtors extend their marketing reach to buyers and sellers.

“I was very excited when they picked it out,” Nelson said. “It kind of confirmed that it was a good idea.”

Other ideas featured in the article include giving away dog treats along with a marketing postcard at dog parks, creating business cards with a tip schedule on the back and holding neighborhood barbecues.

Beth O’Brien, managing broker for Coldwell Banker – Snow & Wall, called Nelson a “creative” agent that can “think outside the box.

“She knows there are times when you have to get back to basics.”

O’Brien said real estate agents should always be thinking of ways to do things a little bit differently — not just in a slow real estate market.

“I think the good real estate agent is always looking for creative ways to maximize opportunities. There are some unfortunately that think all they have to do is put a sign in the yard and put it on the multiple listing service.”

Before becoming a real estate agent in 2004, Nelson worked with families at Roselawn Cemetery. Her 10 years working with families there really taught her how to relate to people on a personal level.

This comes in handy when working in real estate except she gets to help people on the best day of their lives instead of the worst.

Nelson said she knows most people who would come out to a garage sale aren’t looking to buy a home but they may know someone who is.

Ninety percent of garage sale attendees will take a tour of the house, she said.

“People are curious. People love to look at decorating ideas. Once they come in they may like the house. Then anyone they come in contact with they are going to tell them about the house.”

Most agents don’t hold open houses because people don’t often show up, Nelson said. If they see six to eight people in a two to three hour window, then they would likely call the open house a success.

With an open house coupled with a garage sale, Nelson will likely have six to 10 people an hour view a house.

“If nothing else they are successful at getting more people coming through.”

Erin Edgemon can be reached at eedgemon@mur-freesboropost.com.

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Member Opinions:

By: ItsGood on 7/12/10
Are that many realty signs legal in Murfreesboro?
Oh wait, Planning Commission packed with Realtors or related industry to realty.
Bob Lamb protected his industry for sure.