Low Inventory in the Housing Market

You’ve probably heard about the tight inventory in the California housing market. Countless homeowners are holding onto homes they financed at three percent or less…and who can blame them?

Which is why realtors are climbing all over themselves trying to get listings, knowing that whoever has the listing automatically gets a piece of the action.

Realtors seeking these listings are trying various strategies, including knocking on doors; specializing in specific neighborhoods, languages or ethnic communities; neighborhood garage sales; and giving away stuff (bags, pens, pads, magnets, etc.)

One strategy that caught my attention was a postcard that recently dropped into my mailbox. “Is this your property?” it asks, before continuing “I am interested in purchasing your property at (MY ADDRESS). I would take it in any condition!”

I applaud the initiative and understand the effort, but found myself greatly troubled by the photograph.

Because while my condo’s address was correct, the photo was of the entire block…not of my home that he purportedly wants to buy.

Furthermore, as I don’t own all 10 units shown, I’ve concluded that the photographer was either automated, uninformed, or lazy.

None of these bode well if this realtor is trying to make me feel special.

This fellow probably did a mass mailing to everyone in the zip code, hiring a service to marry the photos and addresses. I’m guessing he expected the company he hired to provide some form of quality control on his behalf.

Lesson learned: Always double-check contracted work yourself. As Harry Truman famously said: “The buck stops here.”

As the postcard’s recipient, I don’t care about the printer, photographer, or fulfillment house. If any of them are incompetent, that’s a YOU problem.

In fact, the only name I see on this mailing is that of the realtor who sent me the card. And because of that incorrect photo, I see this particular realtor as not being detail oriented, engaged, or terribly efficient.

So realistically, why would I want to do business with someone who is not detail oriented, engaged, or terribly efficient?

Especially when there are so many other realtors to choose from?

Admittedly, this man may actually be good at his job. However, based on the impression this postcard has made on me, I’ll never know.

With that said, I wish you a week of profitable marketing.

---
Always get quality marketing at www.marketbuilding.com.