Melinda Abernathy Central Arkansas Real Estate

My partner and I had decided to hold a HOMEBUYER'S SEMINAR. One of our main concerns was being able to get the word out without a lot of expense. My company has a PR person that is always asking for any kind of news that they may be able to share with the media outlets. (Especially since the media is all doom and gloom!) So, I figured I would see if they could do anything with this. I emailed them some details on the seminar and then they worked their magic. They were able to write an awesome article and sent it to all of the local newspapers. Thankfully, they ALL published the article. They also sent it to the local TV stations, and our ABC affiliate contacted me about being on their Saturday Day Break Morning Show. My first thought was OMG!!! WHAT HAVE I DONE!!! I've never been on TV before! I was SO nervous, yet excited. Oh well, I didn't have anything to lose, just my pride, dignity, and the thought that I could be the laughing stock of the real estate community in CENTRAL ARKANSAS and that's not to mention my family. But, as a Realtor always looking for cheap marketing, it just doesn't get any better than this. I couldn't pass this up.

SO, to make a long story short. We did it! My partner and I were on TV talking about the market in our area and promoting our seminar. And the best part is, it was absolutely FREE! Have you checked into how much a 30 second commercial costs? This was about 4-5 minutes. There's no way we could have paid for that kind of advertising.

I must give a huge kudos to my PR department!!! They took my few details and turned it into an amazing article.

You never know what you may get if you never put yourself out there and ask!

The following is a report of Single Family Detached Listings in Benton, AR

January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008:

• 417 listings CLOSED
• Average SELLING PRICE was $134,910
• Lowest Sold Price $15,000
• Highest Sold Price $705,000

• Average Days on Market was 86
• Lowest Days on Market was 0
• Highest Days on Market was 518

We are beginning 2009 with 246 ACTIVE Single Family Detached Listings:

• Average Listing Price is $184,989
• Lowest Listing Price is $17,000
• Highest Listing Price is $1,280,000