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Nathan Gesner, Broker / Property Manager (American West Realty and Management)

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Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

I've done a few Facebook live events and we closed 2 buyers and listed 4 homes off them.  Years ago I did buyer events in conjunction with lender, title and other vendors and got nothing from them.  Usually only a handful showed up.  

Mar 16, 2017 08:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,613,774
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, ePRO
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Serving Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Seniors

Yes.

The very first one, noone showed up!

So, hang in there. I think lunch and learns are great ways to start.

1 hour-15 minutes for food and greetings , 30 minutes or les get to the point, 15 minutes of networking and back to work they go., pizza and refreshments; not too expensive. You can go to the companies or community centers or office suites and get the support of HR or the site manager. Free food draws a lot of people that are going to eat lunch anyhow.

Mar 16, 2017 08:59 PM
Rainmaker
846,575
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Yes I have done investment seminars. They were held at one of my projects I would be previewing. Special invitation, food and wine, raffle.

Mar 17, 2017 03:58 AM
Rainer
37,700
Katherine (Katie) Gillespie & Diane Ryan
Nevada Prime Real Estate - Fernley, NV
Real Estate Team 775-636-0964

Nathan,

We have held a home-buyers seminar at a local golf course. We had a team of four there. Our first one had 20 people. We have some great grant programs in our area and the spoke person for Nevada Rural Housing was there. Everytime we have one we get one solid lead. We had a person also talk about credit and how it works at the seminar too. I would just jump in and try what works best for your market. Good luck it will be great.

Mar 16, 2017 10:21 PM
Rainmaker
146,655
Damon Botticelli
Vegas Real Estate Photography - Las Vegas, NV
Real Estate Photographer

I did a couple home buyer seminars many years ago.   It was a good learning experience for me at the time, but not worth the time/expense for me to keep doing them.  I partnered with a lender and a CPA.

Mar 16, 2017 09:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,094,006
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Yes, in fact we had an investor seminar yesterday.

Mar 17, 2017 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

My daughter did this for buyers and had a lender on hand to get people pre qualified on the spot and it worked well for her.

Mar 16, 2017 08:14 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,322
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I used to years ago, but attendance was not great. I used to think if 1 showed up and 1 bought it was worth it. But that was not the case

Mar 17, 2017 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
872,054
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Others in our company have but I haven't.  Per my observations, the cost:benefit ratio doesn't appear worth the time invested...

Mar 17, 2017 04:33 AM
Rainer
213,318
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

Did that for years and no one attended...move it to youtube and go to meeting.

Mar 17, 2017 04:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,286,686
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

I have not... I know people who have and no one has ever reported any great success or attendance.

Mar 17, 2017 03:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,322,035
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Oh yes, Nathan Gesner - not only that, my partners offered free lunch, lots of educational material and what not!

Promote your event through your sphere is what I'd suggest.

Mar 16, 2017 10:43 PM
Ambassador
5,155,149
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I haven't but there are people here who have. Hopefully they will weigh in with some great ideas for success

Mar 16, 2017 10:31 PM
Rainmaker
979,796
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Nathan - I have not, but have also considered it. I think it would work best if you partnered with a lender as others have suggested, and of course free food would bring in more numbers if you could swing it. 

Mar 16, 2017 10:00 PM
Rainmaker
5,774,095
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nathan,

There is broker in Las Vegas and ohter cities nearby who does these for large gatherings, and he is very successful.  He also has lenders in the room to pre-approve.  A

 

Mar 16, 2017 09:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Nathan Gesner I have a friend who has been doing this for years and it has been very successful. I would recommend you not go it alone. Have a closing attorney and a lender there with you. Lastly, pass out a lot of free information.

Mar 17, 2017 06:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,007,323
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I did this when I was a new agent - didn't work very well for me - they came for the free donuts and coffee only

Mar 17, 2017 05:43 AM
Rainmaker
5,458,048
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

I did it many years ago. Did not produce the results intended!

Mar 17, 2017 05:18 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Following is what I learned from those efforts.

Constant presence. Pick a location with high pedestrian traffic. This means a collaborative arrangement with a business owner could be worthwhile. Attendance grows with each promoted session.

LOCAL data - Whatever the theme, the presentation must include what attendees most likely observed in route to the location.

KNOW what your audience is thinking and resonate with them.  If you advertised 'investment' then focus on profit and the many ways to get there. If the message was 'First time homebuyer' then focus on affordability, safety-net, exit strategies and benefits.

Be aware, it is very likely no one will come to the first one. That's where putting their kids on stage or feeding them changes the dynamic. However, many will observe class is in session and chat about their observation and begin the process of persuading themselves to attend.

Don't drop the ball - don't create the situation where persuasion occurs and they find the lights are out. Both you and the business owner takes a hit then.

Mar 17, 2017 05:17 AM
Rainmaker
2,245,597
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Thru the yrs. - Investor Nights and Home Buyer Seminars

Mar 17, 2017 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,282
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, for buyers along with other vendors.

Mar 17, 2017 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
2,229,715
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I have not.

Mar 17, 2017 06:51 PM
Rainmaker
820,278
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

I haven't. but you got great anwers.

Mar 17, 2017 07:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,868,958
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No I've never done one because others in my office have & not enough people have shown up to make it worthwhile. This was many years ago & I think people can get more info on the internet now.

Mar 17, 2017 06:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,618,024
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I would advise doing investor workshops every 6 weeks

Mar 17, 2017 06:01 AM
Rainmaker
151,733
Julie Larson Realtor® Sarasota FL 941-284-9826
White Sands Realty Group FL | 941-284-9826 | Serving Sarasota, Manatee & Charlotte Counties - Sarasota, FL
When you're thinking of moving...ThinkSuncoast.com

Winter & Spring are our busy months. I've got a lender, insurance agent and real estate attorney lined up to do one once we get into summer.   :)

Mar 17, 2017 05:36 AM
Rainmaker
3,074,289
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

We have not

Mar 17, 2017 04:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,045,915
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Sure quite a few times.. it works sometimes not others. Make sure you get a lot of word out and that registration is required.

Feb 25, 2018 03:12 PM
Rainmaker
864,758
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Nope, I haven't. However, I have been seeing a few buyer's seminar on lots of FB events.

Mar 30, 2017 09:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,984,042
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I did in my early years, and taught first time buyers at Buckley AFB, but never got a buyer from it, so stopped.

Mar 20, 2017 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
142,796
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

I have not, but others in my office have and they have been getting a really good turnout.

Mar 19, 2017 02:49 PM
Rainmaker
5,175,271
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

One time for buyer with a lender and only had 3 people show up.

 

Mar 19, 2017 09:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,535,114
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I have not.  My first suggestion would be to sit in on ones that are already in your area or neighboring towns.  See what they do and what works for them.  May take some time to get a following and/or leads from it.  Free food is always a good draw.  There is one locally that seems pretty popular.  They host it at the local keller williams office, charge $20 and have a speaker once a month.  I've not gone, but they do appear to have a big following and attendance on Meetup.

Mar 18, 2017 11:23 AM
Rainmaker
8,122,568
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Yes. I found that there were more productive things to do.

Mar 18, 2017 08:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,749,377
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We used to hold free Short Sale Seminars and had several professionals speak at them, so it was not a 'hard sell' and more of a public service. Lots of leads came from them

Mar 18, 2017 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,393,433
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

We offered a seminar to buyers along with our power team (mortgage rep, real estate attny, inspector, title agent, etc) on a few occassions. 

The best advice I can give you is to advertise very well and incentivize with give aways.

Mar 18, 2017 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
410,235
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

I do a few every year for first time home buyer's.  Not only do I get clients from the seminar, it also helps me land clients based on me telling them I teach these.  

Mar 18, 2017 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,340,655
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Nathan Gesner I did it once with a present of a lender. It is one of the best approach to meet new clients.

Mar 17, 2017 09:23 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,473
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I have not

Mar 17, 2017 07:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,713,581
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I have in the past but I only do investor seminars and webinars now.

Mar 17, 2017 07:44 PM
Ambassador
2,704,237
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  Interesting mix of answers to your question.

Mar 17, 2017 07:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,138
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I did many of these in years past but none in the last few years when so much information became available on the internet.

Mar 17, 2017 04:29 PM
Ambassador
3,654,438
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes we've done this in the past for various types of buyers/sellers. A few years back we teamed up with an attorney and did short sale seminars togther which were successful.

Mar 17, 2017 03:43 PM
Rainmaker
5,584,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

decades ago, I participated in a first time buyer program sponsored by Bay Bank.... 

Mar 17, 2017 11:16 AM
Ambassador
6,660,354
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

My agent tried it a few times, nobody showed up.

Mar 17, 2017 10:30 AM
Rainmaker
982,293
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

In recent years we have not. 

Mar 17, 2017 09:35 AM
Rainmaker
683,806
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I can tell you that it can be hit or miss.  I've done some free seminars that had 40 people attend, some that only a few attended, and one that no one showed up.  Best of luck to you in your seminars.

Mar 17, 2017 08:28 AM
Rainmaker
809,308
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

We did it our first couple of years in real estate. I think it was more an educational experience for us than anything else. -Kasey

Mar 17, 2017 08:26 AM
Ambassador
3,421,121
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Back in my early days in the business I did first time home buyer seminars. 

Mar 17, 2017 08:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,839,951
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

These are good and have potential...Serve refreshments and have a lender, title company etc. on hand to answer up. Hold at local Board or?

Mar 17, 2017 08:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,720,583
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

When I was new to the business, I tried lots of prospecting activities including a homebuying seminar.  Attendance was good but no sales resulted from the activity although I know of some lenders/agents who have been successful with them.  Good luck.  

Mar 17, 2017 07:44 AM