Broker Tours. Have you ever heard of those? Generally held once a week, they're an opportunity for real estate agents in each office to head out together, in one or more cars, and visit various homes – often ones that have just been listed. They're a lot of fun as we enjoy visiting the various houses. They often have yummy goodies like Panini sandwiches, potato chips, or my personal fave – chocolate brownies! Delish!
More importantly, they are a great resource for REALTORS® as we get to learn about several homes for sale in the area at one time, giving us a “birds eye view” of options and prices to share with clients who are looking for just the right home to buy.
They are also an excellent opportunity to meet new-to-us brokers or say HELLO to old friends in the real estate business which is a terrific way to build bonds for future projects as we help buyers and sellers work together to each achieve their goals for a specific property.
All of which means that real estate broker tours are also a big help for both sellers of the homes on the tour – giving them excellent visibility – as well as the buyers we then show these homes to. The more visibility and attention your home gets, the more chance of its being sold quickly. And the more we can get the word out about great homes on the market, the sooner our buyers can find and buy the home of their dreams. A win-win-win for all! 🙂
That's vital off-line with things like broker tours AND online with blogs and various Social Media sites like Pinterest and Facebook.
I frequently find homes on the tour that I love to share with clients who are currently house hunting, as well as sharing with y'all on my various blog and social media sites. Sometimes the homes I find are a great option for a caregiver and their elderly parent or other caree, with main floor bedrooms and bathroom, and other excellent aging in place and universal design options, like the one in the photo below.
In that case, I may post articles about them on SandwichINK Real Estate Info for Boomers and Seniors or my ActiveRain blog. In other cases, it's a grand older home with history, a unique style, and fun memories of days gone by. I love to share those on Old Historic Homes. Sometimes a home will fit both those criteria and I can spotlight them on both of those sites.
So, grab your fave beverage, perhaps a cookie or two and keep checking back for “virtual” broker's tours with me, Kaye Swain, as your REALTOR® “hostess with the house bloggy mostess!” 🙂
Lisa @ Grandma's Briefs says
What fun! I love touring homes… and haven’t done so since being laid off from the newspaper, where I was in charge of the weekly real estate sections. Touring houses for sale in order to write about them is how I ended up in the house I am — which literally brought me to tears when I toured it and encouraged me to convince my husband we *must* have it.
Good luck with your new feature!
Joan Stommen says
Wow Kaye! You are one busy lady! I love that you’re starting a new feature as well….more great info and goodies to read! I’m on the fence right now about whether to sell my house or stay put. This gives me something to think about!
Kaye Swain says
Thanks Joan. And how exciting! You thinking of moving locally or long distance? 🙂
Kaye Swain says
What a fun story Lisa! How cool is that! 🙂 I’m so glad you were able to get it 🙂 🙂 🙂