Question

Topic: Strategy

Need Help Selling A Lighthouse

Posted by Anonymous on 3/21/2012 at 10:09 PM ET 500 Points
We have a client who is selling an interesting item, a lighthouse that was recently restored. This lighthouse is actually located some distance from short and requires access by water. It had great views, but may not be the ideal vacation home for everyone.

The client wants to sell this lighthouse, and the starting point was an informational website we did for them with photos, background on the lighthouse, and amenities. Price is in the $500,000 range.

We are trying some avenues to get make people aware of this property, but need some additional ideas to try and get exposure. If this was your lighthouse and knowing it has a more limited potential list of buyers, what would you do to try and sell it?
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 3/21/2012 at 11:29 PM Accepted
    (Aside: Very interesting property, indeed. What about electricity? Internet connectivity?)

    I'd start by looking online for people who either expressed a desire to live in a lighthouse or buy one, for example:
    https://ask.metafilter.com/160381/I-want-to-live-in-a-lighthouse
    https://www.tvfanatic.com/quotes/yes-i-have-a-dream-i-want-to-own-a-decommi...
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/37905387@N05/3619144317/
    https://www.lighthouselovers.net/
    https://www.lighthousefoundation.org/alf_lights/nell/nell_info.htm

    You also might consider selling raffle tickets for the house (for example, $100/ticket, until you sell 5000 tickets) or have an essay contest ($100/entry, 5000 min entrants), etc. That'll generate additional PR opportunities.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/22/2012 at 1:19 AM Accepted
    What an exciting listing! I would peruse the lighthouse keepers assoc, google light house lovers, assoc, historical associations etc to network. A fisherman would appreciate this home, as a history museum lover.

    Here is one I think is in your area https://cheslights.org/speakers-bios.htm. This is your local capter of the US Lighthouse Society.

    People wanting this piece of history would relocate for it. Contact as many lighthouses as you can google to get the word out.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/22/2012 at 1:21 AM Member
    Oh, and contact Luxe an online group that does a lot of news of things like this, and aol regularly features real estate listings (as news not as ads) for premium properties (though $500K might not be premium for them).. Also try Houzz.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/22/2012 at 1:26 AM Member
    You might also want to follow this https://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/11/26/handymans_challenge_...
  • Posted by VicHoon on 3/22/2012 at 7:41 AM Accepted
    Before it was (somewhat unfairly) closed down, the Tower Bridge Twitter feed enjoyed a certain amount of success. There may be some mileage in attracting people to the daily ebb and flow of being a lighthouse, whether this be engineered by a bot or a human. By assuming a character, the lighthouse could charm a bit of buzz.

    https://londonist.com/2011/06/tower-bridge-twitter-feed-is-suspended.php
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/22/2012 at 10:55 AM Member
    None of the sites I mentioned are social media sites.
  • Posted on 3/22/2012 at 2:57 PM Accepted
    I would try traditional real estate listing sites such as:
    https://www.trulia.com/
    https://www.realtor.com/
    and your local MLS. It is surprising what people look for there.

    Use descriptive language and highlight the benefits, and usage possibilities (investment property?).

    Also running an ad on CraigsList with good descriptions and photos could help.

    A video posted on YouTube (and on your site) showing the boat trip from shore to lighthouse and then a tour from inside narrating historical facts, and legends, hearing the sounds of the ocean, etc. may cause enough intrigue to catch the attention of a potential buyer.

    One final thing I would suggest, stage the lighthouse interior. Small touches can make a big difference.The pix you have I don't think help your cause much. Take pix with a wide angle lens if possible and a tripod to avoid blur.

    As a carrot- I would also throw in a boat, a few water toys, etc. as part of the deal if you can budget it in.

    What a cool listing! Good luck!

BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Strategy)