Barbara Todaro

Rocky is resting up to watch the MIAA football playoffs between Franklin High School and the Natick High football team on Tuesday at 7:45pm at Franklin High's Pisini Field in a first round EMass Division 2 matchup.

Franklin is undefeated for the season and the matchup was sealed when Franklin clinched the Hockomock League Championship with its Thanksgiving Day victory over King Philip Regional. That game was played in Franklin this year.

Go Panthers.....the Town of Franklin is routing for your victory on Tuesday.

How does an agent begin to market a subdivision? The Todaro Team of RE/MAX Executive Realty in Franklin, Ma has a procedure and method of operation in place to get a subdivision off the ground, especially in a terrifying market. We have done this numerous times and in a variety of markets. We have had to take over a subdivision from another agency that had no sales after controlling it for almost two years. That was more difficult to start in motion because of the two years of stagnation. But it's now up and running!!

The design, size and price need to be established. We need to go to the marketplace and determine what size sells along with the designs that are most in demand and blend in with the setting.Then the price needs to be established. The most important factor is that we need to launch the project with several "loss leaders." The longer it takes to sell the first few homes, the less likely it is that the project will have momentum. It's the job of the agent to create that momentum by establishing an urgency to purchase. If there is a loss leader, the urgency will be there to purchase, while the under market price is available. Once several are under contract and construction begins, the prices can inch their way to another level. The initial sales will create energy to sustain the flow of sales. The subdivision will officially be "off the ground." People will move in, and once there is life in the subdivision, marketing becomes less of a challenge.

One of our present subdivisions started at $299,900. We are now at $334,900 and half way through the subdivision. The builder is very happy with the progress, and we are happy with our main source of marketing, Active Rain. I submit at least 10 to 12 blogs, minimally, every week for our new construction. Our internet presence and placement is mind-boggling, and the consumer response to this presence is amazing. Our open house events have more visitors and, in return, more interested buyers.

Of course, along with Internet marketing, there should be a direct mail marketing program that saturates the local community. We also have brochures printed with floor plans, specs, additional upgrades, site plan, and information on the community, the builder and The Todaro Team. Our open house events are every weekend and we always have handouts for each subdivision. My favorite handout is a mouse pad with a photo of the subdivision home or condo, the name of the subdivision and our name and number. People use their computer everyday and that means they will see our subdivisions everyday. Remember, out of sight, out of mind. We keep the subdivision names and agent names in sight, and we're always ready for our next deal!!!

It's quite overwhelming when more than seventy or eighty comments are made on a blog. What a great feeling of support that is so commonplace within the Active Rain system. It is extremely humbling, and it certainly encourages future posts. Some of the comments made are overflowing with knowledge and ideas for future posts, as well as new methods of making the phone ring.

My last blog on using Active Rain during a listing presentation to builders resulted in my learning that others within the system are using Active Rain to promote subdivisions that they do not have exclusively. After reading that, the light bulb went on to an intensity that I thought would cause a fire. I now have a whole new approach to gaining subdivision inventory. Builders, start hiring those subcontractors. Your workload is about to increase!!!

What does it take to close a builder/developer on marketing his subdivision? My team and I have four subdivisions, at this time. We are always looking for more, and we have recently acquired a subdivision on a referral from one of our existing builders!!!!

That's almost unheard of....usually a builder is fearful that he will be last and not first on your list of priorities. The old adage of "you can only work for one master" rings loudly and clearly from all builders. We have obviously proved that we, as a team, can service all of our subdivisions. We have this down to a science. Every member knows what she has to do and when it has to be done.

Active Rain has made life much easier for all of us. As of day #59 with Active Rain, I have submitted 137 blogs, made 926 comments and have received 764 of them. Active Rain has become part of our quarterly meetings with our builders and will be a critical part of our listing presentation for our next subdivision. By showing the builders my blogs of the subdivisions, and then showing them where they appear after doing a search on Google, their faith and confidence in our marketing can be seen in their facial expression. I am on the first page with most of my new construction blogs and positioned in the top 1 to 5 titles. That's very impressive to builders, to see the names of their subdivisions with that placement. I have to admit, I'm impressed with it, too!!!

So, aside from having sold over 40 subdivisions in 31 years, my latest and greatest close is the use of Active Rain and how it makes my builders subdivisions jump off the internet page right into the minds of millions of potential buyers!!!! How could they not list with us??????

Visit us on Thanksgiving Day Weekend for our open house event at The Villas at Eagles Nest in Franklin, Ma. Our condominium community consists of 5 buildings with a total number of 36 condominiums.

These are high end condominiums with a spectacular entry way in each building. Large moldings, tile flooring and an elevator for convenient access to the garage and the second floor are available for the owners.

The photo to the right is one of the entry way in building #9.

The photo to the left reflects the open floor plan with the eating area open to the wet bar and family room area.

Visit us on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for our open house event. Directions: Miller Street to Silver Fox Road to Eagles Nest Way. Visit The Todaro Team this weekend. Reserve a condo now.