RISMEDIA, November 23, 2009—More than 2 million homebuyers took advantage of the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. How many of those 2 million-plus homebuyers did you work with? If you missed out on the first wave of the tax credit business, now is your second chance. Now, millions more are expected to take advantage of this incentive.
So how do you capitalize on this opportunity? It all starts with marketing yourself as an expert on the Homebuyer Tax Credit. The public is hearing a lot about this program, but remains confused about the details. Many rules and restrictions apply and people are simply not sure if they actually qualify for this free money. Homebuyers are seeking the assistance of Realtors who make this information available.
Now is the time to act. Start offering a free “Tax Credit Qualification Consultation.” The strategy works much like free CMAs where you offer your real estate knowledge (something that costs you nothing), in return for spending valuable time with prospects. By consulting potential clients on whether or not they qualify for the new tax credit, you will be earning their trust while letting them get to know you as a real estate professional. And, even if they do not qualify, all is not lost because they obviously have some motivation to move and will need a Realtor. Best of all, the consultation will cost you nothing.
Explaining the details of the homebuyer tax credit is easy, but how do you make prospects aware of your offer? Postcards can be the answer. The message on a postcard is not hidden by an envelope so it’s more likely to be read than a letter. And, they are a very cost effective option. If you are designing your own postcard, remember to use high impact images to grab attention and be sure to keep your copy short and sweet. People are inundated with information and are not willing to read a novel. The trick is to give them a small taste of your special offer and then prompt them to call you for details.
A direct mail provider, LentzDesign, recently introduced a complete line of postcards specifically designed to prospect for this homebuyer tax credit business. Their new category is called “Tax Credit” and they currently offer six different designs. Each postcard entices the recipient with a bold monetary offer ($8,000 or $6,500) and then prompts the recipient to call the Realtor to learn if they qualify for the free money. The cards are completely personalized with all of the Realtors’ contact information and can be purchased in quantities as low as 100 postcards for as little as 22 cents each. This price includes full-color printing on the front and back and gloss coating on the front.
For more information, visit www.LentzDesign.com.
