I don't know if this falls under thinking outside the box but I just listed a bank owned property that in the several weeks of securing the property and preparing the BPO I kept requesting that the lawn be mowed. The bank supposedly has a local crew to do this. One of the neighbors even tracked me down through the bank to request the lawn be mowed. Low and behold I recieved the official list letter so I went to check on the house, lawn still not mowed and a citation from the city for code violation and if the lawn wasn't mowed in the next three days there would be a $500 fine. So I loaded up my lawn mower (because I couldn't get anyone on short notice on a holiday weekend) and spent the 4 hours cutting a yard that should have only take 45 minutes to cut.

Good news is I recieved a standing ovation from the next door neighbors and several other people from the neighborhood stopped by to thank me. I may not have looked my professional best but I know I made a great impression as an Agent who goes out of her way to do a great job.

Of course I had cards for all.

Which of you posts, Sharron or Steve?

I started to think outside of the box last year but now everyone seems to be outside of that box polluting the atmosphere with competing thinking bubbles.  So I am going back inside the box rethinking the bacics.  Maybe we've all missed somthing in there and I want to be the first one to discover it.

John

Ok John, we want to see your post titled "Thinking inside the box" and let us know what you find other than the obvious darkness. I am expecting something absolutely profound. It is true that sometimes we leave the basics trying to be cutting edge, and just get a paper cut.

I had the same results when I mowed a lawn of a vacant home that I had listed and I had to hand out about 10 cards while doing it.

Todd

I mowed the repossessed home next door to me all year last year :)  The HOA finally has a service doing it this year.    Of course the neighbors (3 of them) all listed with someone else. HA!

I've pressure washed a home for a buyer, and loaned it out to people who wanted to wash the home themselves.  Heck... we'll do anything won't we?

Mary,

There is nothing wrong with my box.  It is comfortable, nicely padded all around. They even provided me with a nice white jacket with long sleeves that wrap around the back.  Sometimes, my family come to visit me and they are all so nice to me, no one argues with me, and....

Last week, I closed on a multi family home, and my client needed a fridge and stove for the rental unit. A family member at times has good quality used appliances available and I put the two together. My client got these two +/- three year old appliances for $275.00 and was tickled, but couldn't fit them in his compact car. I met him at my relatives place, loaded them into the back of my pickup and delivered them to his new home. After unloading them, my client looked at me and said "you really do go that extra mile for your clients don't you?". May not be exactly what you meant by thinking outside of the box or if it's more value added, but anything to set yourself apart from the competition (in a good way) can't hurt.

I also like the lawn mowing idea but my wife would string me up if I were to mow a clients lawn before ours....;) I tell her that I have to make hay when the sun shines, and she tells me that if I don't get it mowed soon, we'll be able to make hay.....touche!

Advertising!! Its all about branding yourself !

Here is an out of the box experience I had to brighten up your day.

Welcome To Beaver Construcrion, ha ha

http://www.photoshow.net/viewshow/Vs6iz7cJ

Vance

John, I am pretty sure that box may belong to the state in which you reside.

That was pretty funny, Vance!!!  

John

I too am happy in my box. It provides me comfort and security. It is cool in the summer, there is plenty to eat. Holy ***, I 'm locked in the refrigerator again.

Vance - Very clever photo show - Well done!

Vance, I loved it..