Paul Gruenther.
Takin’ it to the streets
The real estate business must be getting pretty tough, because many people saw Paul Gruenther, a real estate agent with GMAC/Vanguard Realty standing along the road trying to drum up business.
“Today, it’s so important for agents to get face-to-face with the potential customer,” said Gruenther. “It’s also important that we educate the public about the positive aspects of our market. After hearing about Northeast Florida Association of Realtors new media campaign, I created this approach to achieve both of those goals.”
He selected that corner because it is a well known spot for homeless panhandling.
“I wanted to make it a little tongue-in-check. That worked,” he said.
Gruenther added that he had several days of positive face-to-face experiences that ranged from big smiles and thumbs up to people telling him they will use him when they buy or sell.
Gruenther created a fact sheet with positive facts about real estate. He is handing it out to people as they stop at the corner — but only if they want one.
“I passed out 65 of my flyers in two days,” he said. “And I only gave flyers to people who asked for them or readily agreed to take one.”
Gruenther had several people say they want him to list a home and a number said they wanted to buy.
“One family had just gotten in town from West Palm Beach. I am definitely accomplishing what I set out to do. Time will tell exactly how much closed business can be generated this way,” he said.
Keep an eye out as you drive around town for Gruenther to appear on other corners.
“I’m working the street each day,” said Gruenther. “I moved to San Pablo and Beach Boulevard this morning. I want to mix it up. And then the Ponte Vedra Beach homeless can have their gig more often.”
Unusual Name
Van Tine
Van Tine using this image on her business cards.
Kizzy Van Tine
Though Kizzy is not Van Tine’s real first name she has been using it professionally since she was a child working at Publix. Her actual first name is Debra and Kizzy is a nickname.
“I have not legally changed my first name to Kizzy but no one knows me by or calls me Debra,” said Van Tine.
Because she has not legally changed her name, her driver’s license and legal documents are all in her birth name.
“My friends gave me the nickname, based on the character Kizzy Kentia in ‘Roots’ the mini-series,” said Van Tine. “The character Kizzy in ‘Roots’ was a very strong individual who always had a positive attitude, vision and willingness to survive during very difficult times. I’m very proud that my friends felt the nickname was fitting and it has stuck for all these years. My mom even called me Kizzy.”
She said she came into work at Publix one day and her friends had put “Kizzy” on her name tag.
“Being the person I am, I went along with it,” she said. “To my surprise everyone noticed the name, commented on how much they liked it and from that point on everyone started calling me Kizzy. Everyone remembers my name because it is unusual; in sales that is very important. I can’t imagine anyone calling me Debra anymore.”
Van Tine definitely uses the unique name to market herself in a very interesting way.
“On my business cards and all my marketing material I have a cartoon picture of Kizzy instead of my own photo,” she said. “As Jeffrey Gitomer states in his book ‘Little Red Book of Selling’ you have to brand yourself. I have been branding myself for over 25 years using my nickname and the Kizzy cartoon.”
Having an unusual name can put you in some interesting situations. Here is one where Van Tine’s daughter ran into one.
“My daughter had a crush on a boy for her entire senior year of high school, when prom came around he finally asked her out,” she said. “Needless to say she was excited beyond belief and couldn’t wait for the big night. Of course the night of the prom he took her over to meet his family. As they walked in the door to meet his parents a big furry dog ran up to my daughter. Her date said ‘Oh by the way this is my dog Kizzy.’ My daughter laughed and said ‘I’m sure my mom will be happy to hear that she has the same name as your dog.’”
Van Tine has been a mortgage consultant with RMG Mortgage Group for about a month. She’s been in the mortgage industry for 26 years.
“Obtaining a mortgage is the second most stressful situation a person deals with in their life,” she said. “I’m detailed-oriented, honest and communicate well with others. I enjoy helping people. The money is secondary to me,” she said. “My goal is to show my customers all their options so that they will make an educated decision about what mortgage best fits their current and future needs.”
Van Tine added that a happy customer is a new referral and a friend for life.
“It’s all about paying it forward. If you share your knowledge in a particular field hopefully someone will do the same for you.”
Congratulations to...
...Elke McMenemy of St. Augustine Real Estate who was chosen to serve on the first Council of Residential Specialists Grassroots Advisory Panel for a term of two years.