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While traveling in California a few years ago, Walsh said she noticed local agents conducting “Twilight Tours” of their house listings, something that had previously not been done in Fairfield County. "The concept of these tours is to capture buyers during the week that may not have time for house-hunting on the weekends," she said.
Once she returned home, Walsh arranged a Twilight Tour of five high-end Darien listings. She marketed the properties in a unique way by offering an opportunity for invited guests to see the homes, sample catered food and fine wines. Each home offered a little something different - a featured speaker, a raffle or specialty food by a local vendor. This tour allowed agents and potential buyers to see multiple high-end homes on the same night, as the sun was setting, in a relaxed atmosphere.
During the holiday season, Walsh has hosted several holiday boutiques at open houses, bringing in specialty local vendors to sell their wares in an effort to introduce the home to potential buyers who may not see the property otherwise. Walsh said she has had successful responses to these events, sometimes attracting more than 250 visitors.
At another new construction listing, Walsh invited interior designers to each take over a room to furnish it and to show off their style and how they could help buyers with decorating tips for this home or others. Buyers loved this as it allowed them an introduction to top designers in a fun way while seeing a beautiful home that was currently on the market.
Walsh is currently working with Lisa Hynes of Stage to Show, a professional staging company, to make a four-level, four-bedroom new construction house she has listed in New Canaan feel warm and inviting."The reaction from buyers and agents has been incredible," Walsh said. "The staging has made a huge difference in the way people view the house. Although a vacant home can be beautiful, buyers can have a difficult time understanding the way an unfurnished home can work for them if they don’t possess the ability to visualize the home furnished,” she said.
Walsh also writes a successful blog on local real estate news and provides weekly, monthly, quarterly and year-end market reports to readers. Walsh’s website has a New Listing Notification feature where interested buyers can sign up to receive information on houses within their stated criteria as soon as they are listed for sale.
Rachel Walsh can be reached by phone at 203-912-5908 or by email at RWalsh@WilliamPitt.com.
