Wow, we have a crazy seller we’re working with right now.  Seriously, I’m on the verge of firing this bozo.  We’re trying to cut him some slack since he’s 90 years old and not entirely with it if you know what I mean.  

I was wondering if you are working with one group of people that could help you get listings.

The media.

Once again, my two favorite words are involved:  cheap and easy.

Cozy up to your local reporters on your news stations or newspapers by sending them interesting real estate items on a consistent basis.

First, you have to identify who is covering real estate in your town.   Maybe you have someone specifically dedicated to the subject. Perhaps it’s someone who is more “special interest”.  But it shouldn’t be too difficult to find that person(s).

Then send them reports on your market.  Or unique listings.   Or peculiar trends happening.  Or reports you hear about, such as who is moving into your town or out of your town.

Anything that a reader may find interesting could be worth it to them.

I have done this with my San Francisco Chronicle and the SF Business Times.

As a matter of fact, I take one of the business writers from the SF Business Times out to lunch periodically to further cement our relationship.  

And he got me into the publication where they did an exposé on me in the paper which was super cool.

So seek out your real estate reporters and writers for your town and start an information campaign for them.  Just remember consistency is the key.  Send them info, call them, invite them to lunch, email them.  Be quoted on the market.

In other words, be their best friend.