If a buyer see's my listing it means they got access with either their REALTOR® or with my assistance. Here's what this also means:
1. The buyer very likely saw the listing on our MLS.
2. Each listing on our MLS has the option to upload 32 photo's, a virtual tour, 10 minute video, and much more.
3. An MLS printout with all the properties information.. and whatever else the showing agent may be providing.
So what good is an INSIDE FLYER?
An outside flyer for a listing can be helpful for buyers who are just cruising through a neighborhood. It's also an opportunity for the Listing Agent to show all 32 photo's/video and complete MLS list of information by way of a QR Code or text to link feature.
Once a buyer enters a home with their agent they really have no use for an inside flyer. The general purpose of an inside flyer is to promote the Listing Agent. I can't see any other reason to ONLY use an inside flyer.
What bothers me is when these flyers are touted as some sort of special marketing for the homeowner. When a seller invites their friends and family over the Listing Agent's flyers are on the kitchen counter-top for all to view. You've probably noticed that these interior flyers are of much higher quality. They usually promote the agent more than the property itself. A seller doesn't benefit when there are other homes being promoted on their own flyer. A flyer should be mostly about the house being advertised and not an insdie billboard for the brokerage.
What do you think? Do you use JUST inside flyer's on your listings?
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Only use outside flyers. Have not found the need for an inside flyer. About 95% of properties are sold by someone other than the listing agent. Hopefully the outside flyer has them calling me to view the property.
good point, Bill. Most listings are sold through a buyers agent anyways!
I use both inside and outside flyers, but they are the same flyer (a little higher quality inside). I also use a QR code on my signs for people with those capabilities (i.e. 'knowledge'). What I find is that the SELLERS want these things and feel like they need them to feel like you are doing a good job in marketing their property. We all know that an inside flyer is not going to sell a home, but it is a small enough thing not to try to talk the Seller out of 'what they know.' I make them aware of all of the marketing that we do. The one thing I WILL NOT do, no matter how much the Seller wants it, is newspaper advertising ~ unless there is a group of us doing an Open House.
Greg - I only use outside flyers. The purpose is to make MY phone ring. I agree with Bill (above) that most showings are by buyer agents with their clients. However, when I do a public OPEN HOUSE, I will have plenty of my flyers/brochures on hand to give out to all the visitors.
As a buyer broker, I am just curious. All comments make sense, some more business sense (only outside), some also a phsycology of a Seller (Mimi)
Sellers in our area expect high quality flyers inside the home but you're right. They are a complete waste. They aren't going to buy or not buy a home due to the quality of the flyer. I don't use flyers outside the home. Kids steal them and I find them to be more trouble than they are worth.
I do make inside flyers but they are unbranded - the purpose for that is so that in case the buyer agent did not print out the sheet. My sheet usually contains specific highlights of the property that are not always noticeable either.
I use inside flyers and include the sales disclosure, utility information, a list of improvements to the home and letter written by the home owner...because after all...buying can be a very emotional decision. I actually had a buyer tell my sellers at the closing once...your letter broke the tie between two houses... Sometimes you have to shake the etch a sketch and not just put an MLS sheet inside...
waste, waste, waste of paper in my opinion...
I used an inside flyer when my personal home was on the market but it was a 'here's what we've done' kind of flyer. (We didn't have room on the outside flyer for it.) I did get some nice comments about having that available.
Greg -- I use inside flyers and no longer use outside flyers. The majority of time the inside flyers are utilized for open house events/broker caravan and offer a higher quality take-away in a very user friendly(easier to read than a mls print-out) presentation.
Hi Greg! Unlike the majority, we use inside brochures. Here's why--
1. They include the disclosures and school information that most of them want or are unsure of.
2. They include a floorplan, which many sites don't allow us to upload - and it's in their hands (there's benefit to being able to mark up a floorplan with your furniture placement ideas.)
3. Most often when buyers are touring homes, they see at least 5 or 6 homes (sometimes more) and unless you take good notes, it's difficult to remember each and every one. This gives them a list of 'features' to recall as well as a more detailed description than what their agent sent them from our 400-character-limited MLS listing.
4. Our sellers want to know that their potential buyers are reminded of their wonderful home when they leave. Often, the stack of brochures is counted--if a buyer takes one, they may be interested; if they don't take one, the seller gets the point that this was not their buyer pretty quickly. Not that this has anything at all with why we print them but, sellers tend to use it as a measuring stick!
OOPS, forgot to add--I don't use outside flyers--the QR code and text numbers work FAR better than flyers EVER did! People grab those flyers and never call--we have no way of tracing the flyer viewers. If they use the text, we are able to contact them and further romanticize the home; if it's not the home for them, we potentially have a buyer for something else.
Hey Maureen,
good to hear from you again, it's been awhile. And agreed!
Debe,
That's so right on. I love the QR Code for that type of marketing. Excellent way for the buyer to get a full perspective of the home without being able to gain entry. Espcially when it's late in the day/morning or holiday. Opens up the door for more opportunity/showings. Thanks for the post!!
Greg,
Love QR codes and have them in lots of places. Inside flyers I use only if there is some pertinant information I want to get across that I put in a booklet. Information such as when I list a farm property so there is farm equipment offered, satellite photos of the acreage, and/or income statements from farm income. I center my whole marketing approach about selling the home not myself. My face is not on my marketing materials, my signs, or even my business cards. I want to show case their home not me.
Larry,
An inside flyer for that purpose is a nice idea..... showcasing special upgrades in more detail. I've seen a list of receipts, explanation of repairs and even a cd for the buyer to walk away with. I think these ideas are great ideas.
For me, ditto Debe at #12. Mostly, I want potential buyers, who are often from out-of-town, to remember the house. Don't use exterior ones at all.
Seem like a waste of paper and not useful in this day and age -- maybe at one time or era they had a better effect -- or maybe in some parts of the country they work.
I use inside flyers and don't use outside flyers. I think outside flyers are simply for curious people who aren't really interested. If they are really interested they pick up the phone. I did use them for years and had sellers constantly complain that I didn't keep the box filled, yet never got a call from anyone saying "I picked up the outside flyer and want to see the house."
I DO use inside flyers because I work with a lot of buyers and see that they like them, they help them remember the property and are much more detailed, especially with photography, then an MLS printout. Can you sell a house without them? Yes, but it is a little extra something that makes your house stand out when buyers are looking. And it shows the seller you are going the extra mile and putting some hard costs into their listing.
Most listings not sold through a buyer's agent everywhere. 95% of our sales are list and sell. Lots of empty chairs at the closing. Media streams. Dominate, full throttle market hitting all the senses you can. Video is one easy way to make a lasting impression. But brochures, flyers, more imagery, plat maps, floor plans, graphics, layout kaps.. incorporate them all. Ease back on the broker, agent promotion and turn the volume up on the area events, the individual listings.
My inside flyers contain the contact information for utilities servicing the house, nearby local county services like the library, city hall, town recreation centers, contact information for the neighborhood HOA
I find the inside flyers useful when showing relocation buyers (especially if we are seeing a lot of homes in one day). After about the 6th house, they forget what the den in that second house looked like. Even though I have it on my IPad, they like to take them back to the hotel, if for no other reason than to have the information to look it up online. Outside flyers, useless in my opinion. Just something for the neighborhood kids to scatter and most of them look like crap after a good rainstorm.
I like the inside flyer. It's a nice "take-away" for the buyer to view later... it helps with the "did that one have wood floors" or "what colour were the granite countertops" questions that inevitably come up as they're talking about all the listings they've seen that day.
I do use outside flyers to get people inside. Qcodes are not in use here and most likely never will be. I do leave a different flyer inside with a list of upgrades, energy costs, etc and anything that is not included on our MLS. I have often received calls from Buyers Agents who have neglected forgotten to bring their own paperwork and want me to bring them up to speed on the listing. I really don't appreciate having to do their job for them but of course, anything to get my Sellers home SOLD!
I don't make inside flyers either. I make emailable pdf flyers for anyone interested.
I definatly agree with you on the premise of this. But I follow in the steps of Mimi and have inside and outside. If it makes the seller feel better about the marketing job I do to have both then I feel there is not much harm in it. I do not put other homes on the same sheet thought because you never know that your single family home people will all of a sudden buy a duplex and become landlords.
I stop using flyers sometime ago. I usually direct people to the property website. I only use flyers for open houses and usually those are the regular MLS customer flyer printouts.
We use just outside flyers and find them indispensible. Would never give them up. We have seen some sellers create more info to have inside, like details on the contractors who built the house, maybe photos of the building process, etc. Not sure how useful that is, but if the seller's want it, they can have it.
Gretchen
I don't use outside flyers because if you give all the info to the buyer, they have no reason to call YOU. Plus, kids take them and throw them away.
I do use inside flyers, and they are high quality -- 100 lb glossy bond so they can't be folded. Buyers might crumple up a paper flyer but not a heavy bond flyer, and I want them to keep the flyer, to think about it.
I print high quality handouts for each home on the buyer tour. The last thing I want is my buyer picking up a handout with the listing agent's grill all over it.
Greg an inside flyer is a take away to think about a desired home when the buyer goes home. I think you are right that they can be overrated. Find them more in high end homes...
As they say all real estate is local. We do all our marketing indoors. No outdoor advertising, no signs. We call them show sheets, they have several pictures, floor plan and all pertinant data and financial info.
Buyers and buyers agents take them. I take them when I'm representing a buyer. I keep them in the buyers folder. I never give them directly to a buyer that is with an agent. The agent usually asks for one for them and their buyer. They come in handy. I give them to appraisers with comps. I make sure all my marketing material is perfect. The copy is proofed, floor plan on the back. They are so easy to produce from templates.
It's the information a potential buyer takes away from an open house or showing for reference, it is a continual reminder of the property so it must be perfect.
Greg,
Around here I have to keep up with the Joneses, so yes, I do provide inside flyers. Sellers expect them.
Rich
I use outside fliers if I dont use them seller wants to know why they are expected and 99% of other Realtors use the flier box. Depending on the house I have done inside fliers. I dont like to leave something important because an agent may walk off with it, and if I have a list of amenities or photos of before/after remodel they can disappear. My market is different we don't have alot of high end real estate that needs fancy stuff, no ariel views or wine cellar tours lol
Haven't really used indoor flyers, but having read some of the comments, may start so that buyers don't forget the home. Good discussion though.
I don't know? It's a nice thing to have a great flyer on the inside for those buyers who do actually look at the home???
Greg, I use an inside flyer directing buyers to the single-property website. There they will find 40 - 50 photos, discosures and other information about schools and the area. This single-property website is also available through the MLS. But if the buyer never saw the listing there, this gives them access to more information that may sway them. Don't use outside flyers. I use the text code and QR codes. Much better way to see all the photos and get detailed information.
INside fliers help buyers remember the home!! If done well, it can help remind them of what they saw. When I take out buyers, they go to up to six homes. After a while everything seems to meld together. So the flier can help - but it has to be well done to be effective.
Greg - I like inside flyers because buyers often take them because it helps them to remember the home. I always tell buyers to take notes but the inside flyers have better photos than outside flyers.
No outside flyers and rarely any inside flyers. I hate when my buyers take flyers with the listing agents blah blah on it. I think I will design a more "hip" inside flyer this year to use. Maybe a glossy type post card type thing.
Oh, I wanted to add that I print out my own flyers for my buyer tours of each home we are seeing and put in a binder so they can take notes. They don't need the inside flyers.
Greg: I obviously use much more that "just" the inside flyers. But... using them additionally does two simple things. First, it makes the seller feel good because they have something nice and close by that they can look at. Sounds goofy, but it is true.
Second... it is something that is there for the use of the buyer's agent who shows the home... and may not have much information on the home to give to their buyer. So, having this flyer available makes up for the ineptitude of a very few of those agents showing the home... but doing so very ill-prepared.
Inside flyers ~ yes. Sellers expect it and they want to see the nice pics of their home. I advise them to take some to work, or church, or meetings and spread around to see if they know someone interested in the home. In the meanwhile a whole new group of people see you and your marketing and 'ya never know....'
Even though I would love to see less paper, until we are all carrying smart phones with us everywhere we go I do think the paper flyers serve a purpose. When a buyer (especially first time one) is previewing homes, it can be overwhelming. They may not have the ability to be so decisive on the first look and might need to be reminded of what it looks like to help them with the decision making process. Like so many other people said it can direct them to points to garner more information on a property. Sometime people just need to sleep on it and a paper reminder of what they saw can help in the decision process. Hopefully we can do without them a a few year, but right now I believe the make sense. The great thing is with the publisher et al files we can only print up a few at a time which minimizes waste. It's a great opportunity to add additional information the buyers agent may not provide their client.
It's about the client and their property. I prefer to market the homeowners listing only. Not use it as a billboard for my other listings. Kristine
I never use inside flyers unless a seller specifically requests it. (Which has happened to me) However in that case the flyer was strictly promoting the property for sale not any other listings or myself
Greg. I liked to have my buyers take an inside flyer. I encouraged them to make notes on the flyer and to save it in their file of houses seen. At the end of a long day seeing 6-8 houses they all get mixed in the memory.
I like it when an agent has an inside flyer...particularly if it contains a floor plan, survey, schools, or a event schedule for HOA...
While I give my buyer all that I can off of MLS, there are many buyer agents who provide limited information to the buyer or nothing at all.
Eve in Orlando
Hi Greg - Outside flyers in a display rack on the for sale sign are not used very frequently in my area. Inside flyers are considerably more common, ranging from black and white MLS printouts to fancy glossy heavy paper flyers. Flyers are useful, especially for open houses when people may drive around looking for open houses and see several houses in a couple of hours. They often do not look at the newspaper or online to find the open houses.
I put flyers outside and wish I didn't. But they do help people cruzing neighborhoods. I have been inside a house and had my buyers take a flyer. Sometimes its helpful, but I do not like it.
I hadn't thought much about it, but when I use them I only have our company name and contact info at the bottom. The rest of the flyer is house information. I put enough company info on the flyer that a buyer's agent or a potential buyer can pick it up and have my contact info at hand. Happy Monday!
I use inside flyers Or feature sheets and yes not only do they promote the listing but also myself. However In my area I am seeing fewer and fewer of hese sheets. Do they help sell the house? Probably not but they keep sellers happy.
Hi Greg. I use inside fliers, although I think they are unnecessary to sell a home...
Frankly, most sellers think they are important, and I don't like arguing...
Thanks for writing!
Ken
As a home buyer, I like inside fliers that have lots of information, a floorplan, etc. I think it's a great way for your home to be remembered after seeing 10 similar properties!
Nino,
I like potential buyers to have something in their hands at the end of the day. When they've seen 8 to 10 homes in a day they all tend to run together. I think interior flyers with lots of photos may jog their memory about my listing.
Will flyers sell a house? Nope. Are they necessary? Probably not. Do they help? I think so...
Tom
Inside flyers are definitely a 'feel good' for most sellers, in my experience... something tangible that makes them feel you are spending time and resources on their home. I typically use either oversized heavy bond postcards, complete with property-specific website info and QR code, pictures, etc. For higher end properties, tri-fold brochures are a nice high-quality take-away. As others have shared, they offer the opportunity to provide prospective buyers with a quick and convenient resource while touring the home and contemplating it afterward. Nice to include some extras like floorplan/survey, school and neighborhood amenity info, etc. Outside flyers... never. They generate litter. Serious buyers will pick up the phone or scan the QR.
Hi Greg. I do both outside and inside flyers. Outside flyers don't have the price on them -- their purpose is to direct people to the street-address website where they will find the price but also photos and information. Inside flyers are to remind the potential buyer about specific features when they're back home pondering their choices. My name is barely mentioned on the inside brochures.
I never use outside flyers and I don't see them used often here. Mostly, they become litter. If an unrepresented buyer sees my sign, they will also see my phone number, email and website URL on my riders (we have a QR code option but that hasn't caught on yet). Most of our buyers are looking online rather then scouting neighborhoods. I do use inside flyers that I write specifically to tout the features of each particular home and I include samples in my listing presentation. Yes, they are branded, but they are high-end glossies and have 5 photos, destriptive information and bullet points so that buyers will remember the home. When I take buyers out, flyers are the first thing they look for when entering a home, so here they are very valuable and the buyers wonder what's wrong when a listing agent doesn't provide at least a printout from the MLS as a take-away to help them remember the property.
Greg,
Most sellers expect a nice flyer for their listing. If you take them out to look for their potential new home and they see all of these pretty flyers, they will wonder why they don't have any. We could argue all day about whether they are a waste of time or not. The same with outside sign flyer boxes. One national trainer said that the person who invented the outside flyer box should be shot. I laughed but still realize that sellers want them.
We must be careful not to give too much information or the prospective buyers may see no reason to call for more information. Agents can overdo it.
QR codes just aren't catching on yet. Maybe too early to tell.
Outside flyers usually depend upon the seller refilling them .. sometimes that doesn't happen.. so they are not there. If they are there, they may icky to touch because they are damp and clammy from moisture or humidity and people don't want to touch them...or wade through the wet grass, snow, mud, etc. to get to them in the middle of the lawn. While QR codes are helpful, I don't think they should be depended upon as many, many people do not know how to access them (depends on your demographic, of course). Potential buyers want something to hold in their hands that reminds them of the notable features of each property they've seen. They spread out their accumulated literature on the kitchen table and sort it into piles to help them focus their decision making.... I'm guessing you want to have something pertinent in that pile.
I use inside flyers. I think it gives added value to a home.
Flyers also provide a memory boost to buyers. Buyers usually forget about most of the homes they have seen.
Flyers can help them remember a listing, which may have been forgotten otherwise.
Like many other things in real estate, inside flyers can be powerful marketing tools if used effectively. We "code" our inside flyers with QR codes that are aimed to capture new leads to our website. We use QR codes to allow interested consumers a chance to view a video of the home. We use inside listings to promote buyer interest by offering incentives for buyers to collect our inside listings for a chance to "redeem" them for vendor discounts. The hope is that they will view our homes and then come to our office for the gift. Kind of fun, huh?
I'm starting my 5th year in the business and can see both sides. It may be a waste but if it gets the listing by offering the seller more I think you should do it.
As far as self promotion goes I've shyed away from it thinking sellers aren't impressed with it, but looking at year end numbers, the most sucessful agents in terms of net commisssion, are the onse who do the most self promotion.
If you do the things you describe of advertising on internet and having multiple quality photos in mls ( I am surprised how many agents don't), then an inside flyer only has 2 values: a) For a buyer to pick up and make notes to remember the home if their agent doesn';t give them mls print out b)to provide additional information not in mls.
It is the last marketing piece I develop, but a spiral booklet that inclludes information inserted into plastic sheets can help an interested buyer. I include utilities, present insurance, neighborhood information, and things not included in mls. Also included are multiple copies of the property disclosure in case the agent didn't print them and the buyer wants to make an offer.
By far a yard brochure and text ryder and more valuable information and marketing tools.
Inside flyers, like open houses, are more for the seller emotionallythan the buyers. If you educate sellers correctly, you can market successfully without either. But if you do an inside flyer put something of added value into it.
Since I live in a community where Open Houses are the norm, I do provide inside flyers so they are there when I'm holding the house open.
I only use outside flyers unless I am doing an open house. The whole idea is to get potential buyers inside. if they are inside, then they gained access with a Realtor. Most agents i klnow give a flyer to a client at each home so they can take notes for reference.
Greg, I must disagree with you on this. If I take a buyer to a home that has no fliers, it is a sign of a cheap or lazy listing agent. Properly done, the property highlight flyer the buyer and agent can take away from their visit is useful in that it reminds them of the house more specifically. Details can be highlighted better than in the MLS printout. Many agents in our area print the floorplan on the reverse of the property flyer.
Love Cheryl's spin - follow up with the information wtih the agent after the showing in an eail. Often the flyers left have the wrong price on them as prices are adjusted which is not a good thing. Owners, children and others move flyers to drawers or to places where they can't be found. An email doesn't infringe on the relationship between the agent and their buyer and the agent can decided to provide it if the buyer interested - I really like this idea.
Greg, I use inside flyers outside in a flyer box. Inside, we create a property box with important additional information, such as the seller's disclosure, survey, utility costs, floor plan etc. with extra copies for the buyer. In my experience, once the buyer is inside they have more questions. We like to have the answes there for them.
Inside flyers definitely. Kids and the weather are a huge problem with the outside ones. Buyers appreciate the extra info that is attached and may not be provided by (or known to) the buyers agent. I do not believe in printing out the past 2 years of subdivision newsletters, copies of performance records from every neighboring school, church schedules, local restaurant menus, etc. Believe me there are agents who kill a forest every time they get a listing. A simple flyer highlighting the home is all that is needed.
I have seen my clients pick them up. Often they do not see the stuff on line, they are just going where I take them. They like the flyers to remind them about the house and they make notes on the back, even though I generally give them an MLS printout. They only take them if the like the house.
I suppose it depends on the area. We always have a beautiful brochure, it's a place to put community information, extra photos, and disclosures. But as more and more agents don't have them, I show with an extra tablet for the buyer to see and then store the photo files.
I use inside fliers. If the buyer and their agent liked what they saw in the house, they will pick up a flier. Mine are nothing fancy, but on colored, thicker paper. When they are done looking at 7-8 houses, and picked up fliers in 3 of them, then start flipping back through them to "remember" what they had seen.
When they get to my flier, it is a different color and thicker, so it stands out more than the plain white copier paper. Does it work? I can't prove that it has actually sold anything, but I would like to think it had!
I have seen my clients pick them up too, then they get left in my car. I hate to see killing all the trees for something so unnecessary. Now I just got a great idea from a Benny Kinney Webinar the other day for outside brochures. The usual outside front with features pictures etc, on the back the other listings in thumbnail form you are promoting. How will the seller allow this we say? Well your home Mr Seller is being promoted on all those other sellers brochures, maximizing your exposure.....I love it. Kind of like a sellers networking vine. I can't wait to try it!
Oh and I do an interior feature sheet if I can't get it all on the MLS. I am thinking, I may be able to post it on the MLS along with the disclosures and buyers agents with serious interest could take a peek.
We always have beautiful high quality brochures at our listings. Seller of the home loves it. Always remember, there might be neighbors stopping by the open house who are contemplating putting their homes on the market. The potential sellers always seem impressed by the brochures. Ourr area is big on open houses. Since our brochures are of such high quality, the looky loos often return them to us after they tour the house. On the high end listings or very unique listings, we can have our brochures automatically sent to other Sotheby's offices around the world.
Absolutely, a judiciously crafted 'Flier' or 'MLS Listing Sheet' or 'Fact Sheet' within the home is an excellent tool to carry your marketing back to the customer's home. Because you control the language and can emphasize selected features, the 'inside Flier' as you refer to it, becomes a linchpin to conversation with additional decision makers in the family and therefore is vital to your marketing efforts.
I put all the information that the stupid buyer keeps asking questions about! Jeez, how old is the furnace? How old is the sink? New windows? All the stuff that buyers eventually want to know when they are comparing homes. It has no information about me other than my face in the corner with my website & phone numbers. The MLS is a joke for passing on specific home information like this.
But ..... if my fellow sales agents do put in an 'it's all about me sheet' I either tear it out of the brochure & leave it or do not pass it along to the buyer. Most times it's just generalized drivel that a selling agent feels they must put in just to make a fluffy brochure. All you have to do is ask the seller a couple of questions!
Greg,
We use both inside and outside flyers, but think we will just use the QR codes in the future outside. Too much trouble keeping the boxes full.
For inside flyers - Debe Maxwell hit on some great points. Folks go a little nuts after looking at 6-8 homes. Having a flyer to make notes on and refer back to DOES come in handy. Also, they tend to stack them in piles - those still being considered and NOT!
All the best, Michelle
Perhaps its a necessary evil in some cases and mandatory in others, in high end i can see using something to hand out, lower end, the buyers can get a better view from the computer screen.
We use the outside flyer's on the inside too. Many prospects don't take the outside flyer's, so we keep them on the kitchen counter. I also place my business cards predominantly in every room and greet everybody warmly, however, until a prospect begins a conversation, I remain silent.
I'm no longer an agent, but in my opinion, you need both. The inside flyer is for prospective buyers to take with them as a reminder - and to make notes on as they tour the house.
No, I don't think it should advertise the agent or any other listings. In areas where they're used, I think a QR code would be useful. In addition, they should include the address where buyers can locate that particular listing on line.
Wow, I use inside flyers, do a nice job with them Keep my personal promotional space to a minimum and feature ONLY this home.
You see, I want the agent and their buyer to pick one up... and take it with them, and the agent comfortable with it enough to have their buyer take one. I often use the back to feature the neighborhood and list special ammenities of the house... maybe the neighborhood park.
I want them to remember being there, especially if there were 6 homes on the days tour!
I have used outside flyers of a lesser quality... mostly its the drive bys, and lookie lou's. I have had maybe 3 calls from flyers or sign in the last 7 years.... so I am considering (as is the company) the QR code and house information on the sign board.
my two cents
We definetly do not ONLY use inside flyers but we do use them. I think that anything that will help your property stand out from the last to a Buyer is a good thing. (We've seen many a Buyer that did not get any type of print out from their Agent to rely on)
Every listing used to have them inside. Now it seems none of them have flyers inside. I think that makes our inside flyer even more important.
Greg, I use inside flyers to provide potential buyers information they can take with them about a house. If they have seen 5 properties in a day I want them to leave with information on my listing to look back at. The flyer will have floor plan, school info, local community information and other items.
I do use QR codes and text numbers for outside marketing on a property...i think they work much better than flyers in a box.
I always wondered the point of the "inside" flyer, myself. As a listing agent, I think it shows the seller that you're doing more for them; however, I concentrate on internet marketing. Flyers may not help to sell the home but they're pretty. They are usually on display on the seller's dining table or breakfront and they need to work around them and be careful not to get them wet or dirty.
Considering that the listing flyer will have the listing agent's contact information, who benefits from the listing flyer? Buyers agents are bringing the buyers in so are you soliciting their buyers? I only show homes to clients or buyers who call me regarding my own listing. As a buyer's agent, I provide all buyer listings (without another agent's contact info) and, if my buyers have interest in a home, I have no doubt that they'll remember it; flyer or no flyer. As the Listing agent, I can bring a listing or flyer or buyer info with me to provide to the prospect.
Hi Greg, I do not use any flyers in or out. I use an IVR sign which captures their phone and send me an email and text and loads into my database. Impresses listing clients also.
I don't use inside flyers for this exact reason. I never understood the use of them. I actually hadn't considered the benefit of reaching out to the Sellers friends and family, but even then, you'd think the Seller would prefer to have more on their home. I get referrals more because of the great job I do for my clients, not from advertising.
I've used inside flyers for condo or townhouse units since I cannot place them outside due to restrictions on putting up a for sale sign in the yard.
IMHO the only time an inside flyer is of any use to the seller is during an open house, and/or when the seller lives there and someone may be driving by, see the sign, and knock on the door and ask about the property...otherwise, they really are of no real practical use.
Inside flyers are a waste of paper. Unless, of course, it's a vacant house and there's no toilet paper in the bathroom!!!
The agent is promoting themselves...saying look at me...if you list with me, I'll make really nice flyers about your house. If flyers are their strength, they have my sympathy. However, if a home is unoccupied, I do think it's a good idea to post information in stand-up picture frames on counter tops and areas throughout the house to highlight certain features. Such as: "ALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES JUST 6 MOS. OLD" or "ENERGY EFFICIENT FURNACE KEEPS HEATING BUDGET AT JUST $XX/MO."
I've actually hidden inside flyers with the listing agent's information all over them - I've thrown them in drawers if I arrive at a home early (vacant or owners left) and went through the house to turn the lights on and do a quick preview. I never advise my buyers to grab one if I couldn't put them out of sight. I don't understand other agents putting their "me, me, me" information on flyers for buyers brought in by buyer's agents.
I haven't used them for a long time and I was creating flyers without my information but I currently have a great automated flyer from my single property website and it's difficult changing it up and removing my contact information, so I'm leaving it. Just started using the flyers again since sellers like them and I want to show them as much marketing as possible so when it's time to ask for a price reduction they know I'm doing everything possible to market their home.
Personally I question the value of any flyers, inside or out, these days. With nearly everyone having mobile apps on the their phones I think flyers will become a thing of the past.