5 Strategies for Real Estate Agents to Build a Better Sphere of Influence
You probably never even heard the term until you became a real estate agent. But once you became one, you were probably told how important
Killer Deal: The Creepy ‘Silence Of The Lambs’ House Is Up For Sale
There are real estate agents of all talent levels out there — some so talented that if given an abandoned slaughterhouse in the middle of the Iraqi desert, they could sell it to the Brady Bunch for a cool million. Some with less talent might not even be able to pay residents to live in their own houses. The reason I give these two extremes is because I just came across a listing for the house used in the Silence of the Lambs movie. Yes, the same one the serial killer in the movie lived in. Does, “It puts the lotion on its skin,” ring a bell?
The thing is, the agent listing this property has chosen a very interesting strategy for showing this home. And I honestly don’t know if it’s extremely talented, or crash-and-burn untalented. You tell me!
The owner’s name is Buffalo Bill. It’s a rather fancy two story home at 8 Circle St. Perryopolis, PA and is listed for $300,000. Honestly, despite its relationship to the movie, this home should be an easy sale, except…
The first thing a potential client sees when they go to The Preferred Realty site is this.
Now, not everyone has seen Silence of the Lambs, and they might just think “Oh cool! It was used in a movie!” They might write off seeing the movie and check out the house. Or if they have seen the movie, it may have been long enough for the creepy factor to have faded away in memory. But…
This is the next image they see.
If the creep factor had already faded in the buyer, the “Agent Starling” reference might just be enough to bring it back.
If you are a reasonably sane person that isn’t phased by memories of such a horror movie, the majority of the following images show what a truly remarkable house this is.
In fact, you could say it’s downright comfortable.
Via The Preferred Realty
Here’s a kitchen for preparing guests for… err, dinner for guests.
Via The Preferred Realty
Here’s a pantry for storing some fava beans and nice Chianti.
Via The Preferred Realty
Who can think of murder with such a lovely gazebo?
Via The Preferred Realty
There are four bedrooms, including this lovely master bedroom. After all, the more guests the scarier… I meant merrier!
Via The Preferred Realty
This is the guest connoisseur. Because guests should always be well cleaned.
The home sports a spacious attic for any number reasons, like a storage area for insect specimens.
After a hard day’s (or night’s?) work, who wouldn’t love a pool like this?
Via The Preferred Realty
And the poolhouse is a… a caboose? Okay, that’s pretty cool.
Via The Preferred Realty
The garage is sized for at least four vehicles. Get-a-way vehicles.
Via The Preferred Realty
You know, with all of these killer selling points, you’d think the real estate agent’s selling skill was pretty solid. Especially if someone hasn’t seen the movie. But then they see this…
Via The Preferred Realty
This is the last featured picture, and a listing description that ends with the following:
“The pit…now there is the question…is there really a pit in the basement, or is all just movie magic? Just put on the lotion, and come see this home and find out!!!!” Wait, what???
Via The Preferred Realty
All teasing aside, I have to applaud Dianne Wilk for making the most of the history this home has, and doing it in a playful way. Godspeed “Agent Wilk!” Don’t forget lotion as a staging prop.
