Selling your home during holiday, Brand Management

#RealEstateTips, #HomeSelling, #HalloweenDecor, #holidayCurbAppeal, #RealEstatepodcast,#BrandMarketing Coffee With Real Estate, where host Susan and producer Kurt serve up a steaming cup of real estate wisdom with a dash of humor.

In this spooky Halloween-themed episode, Susan and Kurt tackle a timely question: do Halloween decorations help or hurt your home’s sale? They dive into the pros and cons of festive decor, exploring whether a pumpkin-adorned porch or a skeleton-filled yard can make your home stand out—or scare buyers away. Susan emphasizes keeping listing photos neutral to avoid dating your property (no one wants to see pumpkins in January listings!), while subtle fall touches like mums or string lights can create a warm, inviting vibe for in-person visits. Kurt chimes in with hilarious anecdotes about over-the-top neighborhood displays, like grotesque yard setups that prompted community complaints. Together, they weigh the balance between cozy and creepy, offering practical do’s (think neutral colors and minimal lighting) and don’ts (avoid gory, religious, or animatronic decor).

The episode digs into market trends, noting that inventory in the South and West is up 4.3% and 9.3% since 2020, giving buyers more options and making it crucial to stand out. Susan and Kurt discuss regional differences—New England’s love for fall decor versus the less seasonal focus in warmer climates like California and Florida. They highlight how tasteful decor can appeal to families in kid-friendly neighborhoods, signaling a vibrant community vibe, while overdone displays might alienate buyers or raise suspicions about hidden flaws (like spiderwebs masking cracked walls). Curb appeal remains king, with suggestions like wreaths and warm lighting to draw buyers in.

The fun topic of the day takes a quirky turn as Susan and Kurt react to Maxwell House’s temporary rebrand to “Maxwell Apartment,” a nod to the growing number of renters in smaller spaces. They debate the odd name change, questioning whether it connects with today’s consumers or risks alienating loyal fans of the 133-year-old brand. Susan argues for preserving brand identity, while Kurt suggests alternatives like “Maxwell Home Brew” to include everyone, from apartment dwellers to homeowners. The discussion spirals into a humorous critique of marketing missteps, touching on the challenge of appealing to new demographics without losing your core audience.

Coffee With Real Estate is perfect for homeowners, sellers, or anyone curious about the housing market. Susan’s expertise and Kurt’s playful production style make every episode feel like catching up with friends who happen to know a lot about real estate. Whether you’re navigating a competitive market or just love a good coffee-fueled chat, this podcast delivers actionable advice with a side of laughs. Tune in to learn how to make your home shine (without demonic skeletons) and why messing with a beloved brand might not be the best move. Subscribe now for your weekly dose of real estate insights and fun!

• 0:00-1:30 – Opening, Susan introduces show, Kurt, Halloween theme, main/fun topics
• 1:30-3:00 – Halloween decorations: help or hurt home sales, holiday connection
• 3:00-7:00 – Neutral listing photos, extreme decor examples
• 7:00-11:00 – South/West inventory up 4.3%/9.3% since 2020, regional trends
• 11:00-15:00 – Decor do’s: neutral colors, pumpkins, lighting; don’ts: gory, religious, animatronics, inflatables
• 15:00-18:00 – Curb appeal with mums, wreaths, lights, family-friendly focus
• 18:00-22:00 – Maxwell House “Maxwell Apartment” rebrand, brand loyalty debate
• 22:00-25:00 – Decor tips recap, branding lessons
• 25:00-30:00 – Outro, listener thanks, subscription