| cold outside, buyers aren't motivated do anything | | | | head-on. |
| but sit by the fireplace and sip hot chocolate, and | | | | You can talk about everything from downsizing to |
| your properties are just sitting there on the | | | | a more affordable home, to ways to improve |
| market. What to do? How to move those listings? | | | | credit, to monthly savings tips, to tax strategies |
| Here are three ideas to get people in your office, | | | | associated with real estate, to low mortgage |
| and considering buying one of your listings. | | | | programs, to helping with monthly finance |
| Winter Sales Idea 1: Make Your Office Holiday | | | | budgets. The list is endless, and all of it lends itself |
| Party Public! | | | | to a conversation about real estate. Another |
| Do you really want to have a party with just the | | | | discussion point can include the possibility of signing |
| people in your office that you see everyday | | | | a rental agreement on homeowners' existing |
| anyway? Forget the usual drab office party and | | | | homes, instead of trying to sell; have a discussion |
| throw a massive party open to the public, with | | | | about the risks and benefits of renting versus |
| free wine and egg nog, maybe a little live holiday | | | | selling, and remember to bring up plenty of |
| music, some hors d'oevres, and the local forth | | | | examples of homes you're currently listing. |
| grade class's holiday artwork (that will at least | | | | Winter Sales Idea 3: Get Creative with a Public |
| bring their parents). | | | | Forum |
| And all that is fun, and will get people in the door, | | | | People like getting dressed up and having an |
| but once they're there, get them excited about | | | | opportunity to show off their predictions for the |
| the idea of buying a new house for the new year! | | | | future, it makes them feel sophisticated. Consider |
| Everyone dreams of a more luxurious house, a | | | | a social forum; for example you could host a |
| better neighborhood, more yard space, or more | | | | party called "Brews 'n Clues," with craft |
| bedrooms. You don't have to stand up and make | | | | microbrew beer provided by the boutique |
| a speech pushing your listings, keep it subtle and | | | | brewery down the street, and host a public |
| simply put information about your listings in visible | | | | discussion about projections for real estate values |
| places around the office. Instead, try to engage | | | | in the next five years. Everyone loves supporting |
| people by talking about their goals for the new | | | | local businesses, everyone loves beers, everyone |
| year, their new year resolutions, what kinds of | | | | loves pontificating their opinions, and you can |
| schools they want their kids to attend, etc. Open | | | | address head-on the community's concerns that |
| the door for them to imagine, to dream, and | | | | real estate values won't improve. |
| once their minds are open they'll actually notice | | | | Bring plenty of stats, facts, tax strategies, and |
| the listings and start paying attention. | | | | other compelling arguments, and prove to the |
| A final note: have everyone there sign up for | | | | community just how compelling an investment |
| your mailing list. | | | | real estate really is! |
| Winter Sales Idea 2: Host a Free Personal Finance | | | | The trick with all of these strategies is to simply |
| Course Open to Everyone | | | | get bodies in the door, and to initiate a dialogue |
| Personal finance is on everyone's minds these | | | | with them to open their mind to the possibility of |
| days, with the economy in turmoil, debts at all | | | | a new abode in the new year. Get them excited, |
| time highs, and the unemployment rate | | | | get them dreaming, help them with their finances, |
| disturbingly high. In short, people aren't buying | | | | and open their minds to the fun and exciting |
| houses because they're nervous about money, so | | | | prospect of a new home! |
| turn that disadvantage around by tackling it | | | | |