The Great Debate - Sex and Real estate

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Airing out the laundry

The latest buzz on the real estate blogosphere is about Sex and Real Estate. It all started with a simple question - Can Sex sell Real Estate? by Shaun Mclane. His broker didn’t find his marketing approach appropriate and set him packing. I feel the question is a bit simplistic for the industry. Do we want to take a clearly unusual approach to marketing our seller’s homes and ourselves? Everyone knows sex sells…look at all the beer commercials, lingerie, and other male oriented purchases. I have read the comments most of the blogs that have talked about this today and you have mixed emotions all over the place. You can check them out here;

Real Estate is all about niche marketing and specializing your skills to meet the market needs. Sure Shaun pushed the limits on his marketing approach and even further his first amendment rights, but the broker had the last word. Sure being in business for yourself is about making bold moves in marketing. He has done that and I applaud his efforts. I just think you should pick and choose your battles. Blogging has become a new media in real estate. Legalities of the whole thing have not truly evolved. I have, since this discussion, added my own little disclaimer and have had this disclosure on my site for a little while. (Midori Miller had a large discussion about this on Active Rain)

So I ask…what say you? Is there a place for this niche marketing? I personally would like to attract a broader customer base with out using pictures of scantly clad women. I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy the Victoria Secret commercials…just sayin’ I’m not selling bras or beer. (not yet)

November 29, 2007 · Filed Under opinion

Comments

4 Responses to “The Great Debate - Sex and Real estate”

  1. Sarah Cooper on November 30th, 2007 8:31 am

    I think I worry enough about the risks of this job without trying to sex up an image and then advertising an open house, you know? Plus, I wouldn’t want my husband looking at houses with a female agent who made me wonder about her morals. I’d hire a professional, and that’s about it.

  2. gotbob on November 30th, 2007 8:52 pm

    You’re right Sarah, there are other underlying issues. I understand his point but it’s not necessary to bring it to this industry. Public opinion has been tarnished and cheapened by the title and mortgage fraud and flipping schemes.

  3. Carole Cohen on December 3rd, 2007 12:43 pm

    maybe it’s me but the video wasn’t even creative. I realize the discussion is not about that, but his entire claim to fame is a lame video and denigrating other blogs. Personally I am a staunch believer in free speech. But his broker exercised the right to say don’t do it. And he did not exercise his good judgment, I agree with you.

  4. gotbob on December 3rd, 2007 1:08 pm

    I think it was only a “shock” video to exaggerate his point, but as you said and others…it could of at least resemble more real estate related content.

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