The ad was titled "Aggressive Seller w/ Machete". Does that grab your attention? What was your first thought when seeing it?
My initial thought was that there was another story about a seller going psycho because he couldn't sell his house and chopped up his family.
When you click into the story, it says:
Motivated individual with an attitude just whacked a million and some change off of this 6200 square foot Penthouse on east Superior. Panoramic views included.
Ahhh, I see. He used a Machete to drop his price. And as a seller, it looks like he's being reasonable by including the Panoramic view in his price. What if someone doesn't want to pay for the view? Does he put up a smoke screen so they can't be seen?
Would a heading like this get you interested?
That's an interesting title for a price drop. I think I would read it from the title, like most I am intrigued by what it could mean. (maybe we are all too bloodthirsty now?)
I think the word use grabs attention and shows clever marketing. Best wishes to you for a great 2009!
Interesting headline....it got my attention and I guess that's sometimes what we have to do now to grab buyers' attention. I figured it was about a huge price reduction, but maybe I'm just getting used to some of the crazy headlines!
It got my attention. My sellers are using butter knives these day to hack away the price, perhaps I may have to invest in a machete.
Well, the guy sure knows how to get attention! LOL I'm not so sure it would make me want to go see the property though. I sure wish him luck - would hate for him to drag out a chainsaw!
I am the first one to appreciate 'creative' marketing. But I wonder sometimes if we venture too far in a direction that compromises the integrity of our message? Not saying that is the case here, but there are some who promote extreme sensationalism in blogging for the sake of garnering attention, and many times it adds very little value to the actual message/product/service being promoted. It's like adding nudity to the movie just to get an 'R' ratiing.
Gail, ALways looking for the bloody story...
Connie, Thank you and you too.
Lori, Yes, I think some of our thinking has become warped.
Chad, Butter knives, that's funny!
Carol, A Machete makes a much cleaner break than a chainsaw. That could get messy.
Rich, I agree. Some titles aren't about the message at all, and that's frustrating.
Donna, the headline was kind of scary to me at first, but you are right it is attention getting.
It's definitely a spin, but as a buyer, I'd want someone to check all the closets and under the beds before I'd go inside-
edit: as a real estate agent, I'd make the listing agent meet me and go in first!
Donna - I thought the same thing you did when I saw the title! LOL! I guess it got my attention... :)
It's an interesting way of advertising the listing. I might read it just as I would any story/ blog/ headline that caught my attention. I always tell my buyers to remove the adjectives and verbs from the listing remarks then let me know if you still want to see the home. But the "flowery writing" is nice and it will get attention.
I wonder where the ad was running. It might be more suitable in some venues than others, but it did bring the Texas chainsaw massacre to my mind.
Donna, I like it! Be creative! The truth is most of the buyers are bringing the machete to the price! LOL!
Donna it got my attention.
Honestly though, I do feel that buyers are looking for spiled blood on the driveway... or, they wont buy a home. Even then they might want to suck some more blood from sellers.
Catchy!! Go Get 'em!!
I think it's a catchy title. It made me read the post. Happy New Year!
Gary, Maybe it would have been better at Halloween time?
Laurie, Me too!
Debi, At least I wouldn't have been the only one wondering.
Craig, Those "S" people need the flowery words. I just need the facts.
Lorrie, I forgot to mention that in the blog. It's in Chicago.
Kristi, That's true, to an extent. If it's priced right, that's not necessary.
Nelya, And that's probably very true in areas where over-pricing is prevelant.
Brian, Thanks!
Jen, Thanks, you too.
Funny to ask if thsi is what we have come to.
Todays media - around the world, but unfortunately especially the US, is driven by blood, it appears that this is what sells... We are all guilty of buying that line, How many here can hosetly put their hand up and state theat they read a paper which does not print blood in color?
Note, the papers and magazines are out there...
When was the last time your local news station ran a story about how great some little leaquers did?
This is not what it is coming to, it is where we have been for the past 10+ years... If that grabs your attention, you better start thinking about what you have to do to grab the attention from this guy on your next listing!!!
Anyway - thanks for the laugh Donna, I just want to see him slash the view now...
Terkel
My first thought was that the seller was motivated to sell and wondered what he was offering. It caught my attention and I think it is a great heading. But then, I seem to think differently from most.
I didn't think it was scary at all. After all, machetes are used to cut down overgrown plants. Maybe the seller cleaned up the back 40? Interesting that most AR folks go straight to the gore!
Yeah, the heading got my attention, but the picture of the machette, put me off my lunch!
Hi Donna~ Well, I was wondering what you were up to this time, so I had to read it. My thoughts are this.... if the seller is cutting the price over 1 million dollars, then why in the heck did he overprice it by $oooooo much in the first place???
The headline does get my attention. Big price reduction numbers sometimes also interest buyers. Most Realtors will of course think, why did they overprice it that much in the first place,
Hi Donna, Happy new year! I'm not sure if that particular headline would make me want to meet with this seller or his agent, but I do think that a catchy, attention-grabbing headline makes a huge difference in how many people will read the whole ad and follow up with a visit to the property. I stick with lighter stuff though, like offering fresh-baked cookies, cold drinks (in our hot summers), or entries in a drawing for groceries or baseball tickets or something.
Got my attention. I had to jump in and read the post. Happy New Year!
I'd go see it, but make sure to watch all of those Realtor safety videos.
To drop $1M? Talk about over pricing!
Donna,
The title does get your attention--but for me it sounds too bloodthirsty. Best of luck--do what you gotta do.
Terkel, Thanks for your comments. Yes, that view is the next thing that's negotiable!
Colleen, Thanks for your opinion.
Joetta, You've got a point.
Lesley, Sorry about that.
Vickie, Exactly! I have no idea...
Gabe, I thought overpricing was the thing to do in today's market.
Susan, Great ideas.
Kay, Thanks!
Mike, Funny...
Dallas, No joke!
Linda, Yep!
Whatever it takes to grab attention and get the reader to actually read the ad. Hopefully it led to a sale.
Sure LOL! Sounds like someone in my Chicago area selling something on the lakefront! Wouldn't bother me at all, You had the same title and I read it. Wasn't offended.
Kelsey, Makes sense.
Lyn, Go sell it!
The things some people will do to get your attention. These days its not unusual, people are desperate.
creativity shouldn't include undertones of fear, especially in our industry, JMO.
I imagined a Haiku Maui seller slashing away at the jungle and overgrown yard, to open up the view so the property will sell.... no wait, that's my new listing coming up!
Angelia, Yes, some are.
Greg, I understand.
Georgina, At least he's going to clean up for you.