Assist-2-Sell Franchise

Jd Power measures home buyer/seller satisfaction

Jd Power and Associates recently conducted their 2009 home buyer/seller study. The study measures customer satisfaction of home buyers and sellers. The buyer experience was based on 3 factors, agent, office, and additional services. Seller experience was rated on 4 factors agent, marketing, office, and additional services. 

There is some interesting stats in this study but here a few highlights.

First time home buyers increase to 56% in 09 up from 44% in 08.

"The presence of more first-time buyers is encouraging, as it indicates that the real estate market is returning to more normal activity, with fewer speculators," said Howland. "However, real estate companies and agents must carefully manage first-time buyer expectations. Although these buyers may believe otherwise, they must still overcome the traditional barriers to purchasing a home, such as being able to fund down payments, closing costs and monthly payments. Solid advice and service from agents may assuage these first-time buyers' concerns and build customer loyalty."

Home sellers say on average 3.2 open houses were conducted in 09 for their property down from 4.5 in 08.

I find this stat interesting considering the market has been so tough. You would like agents would be doing more open houses trying to reach as many potential buyers and sellers as possible. Appears many agents don’t think open houses are worth their time?

One more interesting quote from the article.

For both buyers and sellers, the agent is still the most important driver of overall satisfaction. However, the importance of agents has declined substantially from 2008, while the importance of additional services has increased considerably-by 12 percentage points among buyers and 8 percentage points among sellers. In addition, actual usage of many of these services has decreased from 2008, likely due to cutbacks made by real estate companies in response to a depressed market. 

The importance of additional services has increased considerably by 12 percentage points, but the actual usage of these services has decreased?  That just doesn’t add up. Additional services are important but if they are not being used how important can they be? My belief is the perception of “extras” and “full service” experience is what consumers want? 

Going Beyond a One-Time Sale

RISMEDIA, July 20, 2009

California agent uses Lowe’s Realtor® Benefits program to offer powerful marketing incentives to clients

A couple of years ago, when Central Valley, California was positioned as a seller’s market, many local agents, like John Searls, found themselves too busy for marketing. Fast forward to 2009, however, and marketing has never been more important-all the more reason Searls, of Assist2Sell, Modesto Real Estate, is so impressed with the Lowe’s REALTOR® Benefits program, offering powerful marketing incentives to REALTORS® at no cost.

“I was floored when I discovered there is so much to offer clients,” says Searls. “The program is perfect for reconnecting with your past clients and getting back to basics with farming-thanking them for the business they gave you.”

The Lowe’s REALTOR® Benefits Program is free for REALTORS® and offers personal marketing tools from Lowe’s and the National Association of REALTORS®. Whether it’s a Lowe’s gift card offered at a discounted price to REALTORS®, 10% discount coupons to present to clients, or videos, direct mail, and e-mail pieces offering helpful tips to home buyers and sellers, Lowe’s makes it easy for REALTORS® to reach out to clients.

After a visit from Roberta Lock, one of Lowe’s commercial sales specialists, Searls was ready to jump right in and participate with the program.

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