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The Real Estate Brochure, too basic?

January 9, 2012 By Doug Francis

Vienna VA Realtor Brochure

Use simple bullet points

Recently, when a client was interested in putting together an offer on a particular house we had seen, he asked me if I had picked up a brochure.

“No I didn’t. Did you?”

Since neither of us had one I decided to contact the listing agent to ask her to email one over to me so I could note any updates or recent improvements to the house. It seemed like a reasonable request since the home has been on the market over 250 days and we had seen it twice.

Here was her response:

“Yeah I do not have a brochure..I am sorry..I used to do brochures back in the day but with the internet clients had no use for them…”

Um, “back in the day”… are you kidding me?

Maybe you are an experienced Internet real estate surfer, but you are probably looking for something you can hold when you check out a house in person.

Am I wrong?

Seeing a house online is only the first step. You know, when you can check out the photos, the location, local schools or local shopping. R-E-S-E-A-R-C-H!

Internet clients still want to see the house

The next step is to have your buyer agent set up a convenient time to see it when the house can be yours. Don’t wait until the Sunday open-house where three other people will be on your tail in the kitchen, bathrooms or living room. Most of those people at the open house are distractions from making one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

A good real estate brochure doesn’t have to be complicated but should include bullet points like HVAC updates, interior upgrades, kitchen information, and list community high points if possible. Walk to Whole Foods or near the W&OD Bike Trail are selling points people! No one is going to buy a home because of a fabulous brochure, but when there is a helpful list it may provide insight into the age of the roof, heating system, or something else equally important.

Get it?

Sorry for the rant, but not putting a basic piece of helpful consumer information is a costly oversight for everyone.

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Filed Under: Blog, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, real estate, W&OD bike trail

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Helping my clients add value to their home has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more then invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

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Viva Vienna Vienna Idol event on the Town Green sponsored by Caffe Amouri

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The Town Green in Vienna, Virginia is located where Maple Avenue intersects the W&OD Bike Trail and Mill Street. The Town

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2022 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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