Freakin' Out in the Jungle

Freakin’ Out in the Jungle

Kathy Brewer, one of Market America's top agent's recently won a full page ad in The Fort Myers News Press. At our weekly staff meeting we were talking about the design of the ad. None of us really like the typical Realtor ads. Lots of small, hard to see pictures, tons of sparse information, and designed really to show the agent's customers they that the agent is indeed making a good effort to sell the listing he promised to sell.

It is our belief that these types of ads have limited, if any value.

We discussed what message, what KEY message, we want to get across. I have not seen the final copy that Devious Design Studio has come up with, but we asked for an atypical design. One that gets this message across:

In this market there are many choices and you need an expert to help you sort out the bargains from the wishful sellers.

Tatiana had her favorite copy: "Freakin' Out about selling your home? Call Us."

I like: "It's a jungle out there - let us be your guide."

As all of you know, we are an internet based agency that specializes in serving our customers. We are not in the real estate agent business; we are in the real estate customer business. We are not traditional print advertisers.

If we did repeat print advertising, it would not be to show our listings. It would be to build brand recognition and to get traffic to our website: www.investinwaterfront.com where more detailed information is available about each listing or community.



Now some comments about our market...
The real estate market in Lee County:
1. Is a buyers market.
2. Is volatile (a wide range of prices over similar products)
3. Is confusing.
4. Has some very good deals and some not so good deals.
5. Is experiencing a downward blip in an upward trend.

Let's talk about number 5. When we look back at this market over a three year period, we will discover that this period was simply a small inverted peak in a generally long upward slope of appreciation. Believe it or not homes are still appreciating. The trick today as a buyer is to find opportunities in the jungle of offerings. For this you need experts that study the market and know the offerings in the different communities that interest you.

Today, I am a buyer. I am looking for commercial deals. Land. Income property. Bargains. I am ignoring asking prices and making offers. This is the time to build your portfolio and become a buyer.

In the condo market I suggest buying existing inventory. In the single family market, buy two to three year old homes. Ignore what somebody else paid for their home. It simply does not matter. I have heard buyers say, for example, of a $400,000 offering, "But they only paid $200,000 one year ago!" I say, "So what? If they paid $500,000 it does not make the house worth that much more, does it?"


The market sets the price, not the cost. The problem with today's market is that it has not settled. This is why you need to be very careful when buying. Use a good agent - maybe more than one. An agent should have two very important traits for you as the buyer:

Character and Knowledge.

For Character look for honesty, openness, empathy and the willingness to meet your objectives, not theirs.

For Knowledge, you need specific product knowledge and well as knowledge about the communities you are looking for. It is improbable that an agent will know all the communities you want to buy in. If he does not, you may need more than one agent. (They may indeed be with the same firm)
Please visit www.investinwaterfront.com and let us guide you through the jungle.


By the way, I am writing this on my wireless lap top, overlooking the river while Jacob and Adi row a 14 foot Kayak (purchased yesterday) back and forth in our 30 foot long pool. (Not getting very far, are they?) The temperature is about 70, the fish are jumping, the birds are singing, and life is good.

Welcome to my world, come on down!

Gregg@ma-realty.com