Real Estate Marketing Success Stories

No two homes are the same, and no two sellers come into the process with the same needs.

Some sellers have months to prepare. Others need to move quickly. Some homes need help with presentation. Others need a stronger plan for reaching the right buyers.

That is why Deb and I do not believe in using the exact same approach for every listing. We start by listening, walking through the home and understanding what matters most to the seller. From there, Deb creates a preparation and presentation plan, while I focus on pricing, positioning, marketing and the overall sales strategy.

These are just a few examples from 2026. As of this writing, the Hartmann Team has listed 40 homes this year. Each property, seller and situation has been different, which is why every client receives a personalized preparation, pricing and marketing plan.

Here are three recent examples of how that approach came together.

The Situation

This was a charming Como Park home with plenty of personality and one feature that immediately stood out: a rare three car garage.

The sellers wanted to make a strong first impression without taking on unnecessary projects. They also wanted honest advice about what would make the biggest difference and what could be left alone.

When Deb and I first looked at the home, the goal was not to make it feel completely new. The goal was to highlight what buyers would love about it and make the entire property feel cared for, inviting and easy to understand.

The Personalized Plan

Deb helped the sellers decide where to focus their time and energy before going on the market. Her recommendations centered on presentation, flow and making sure the home photographed well.

Once the preparation was complete, I developed the pricing and launch strategy around the home’s character, location and unique garage space.

Professional photography introduced the home online. The Matterport 3D tour and floorplans allowed buyers to explore the layout in detail. Targeted advertising continued putting the property in front of potential buyers even after they left the original listing page.

The marketing generated more than 33,000 total views, nearly 6,000 display ad views and additional engagement through the floorplans and 3D tour.  See this listing and it's features here.

The Result

The first weekend brought through 14 groups, creating a great deal of activity in a short period of time.

The home was listed at $439,500 and sold for $450,000 in 3 days.

The numbers were exciting, but the best part was seeing the preparation, pricing and marketing come together in a way that made sense for this particular home and these particular sellers.

The Situation

Selling during a Minnesota winter creates a different set of challenges.

The yard is covered with snow. Landscaping is harder to showcase. Daylight is limited, and the number of active buyers can be smaller than during the spring market.

These sellers needed a plan that would help their home stand out even without green grass, blooming gardens or warm weather photography.

The Personalized Plan

Deb helped the sellers prepare the interior so it felt warm, clean and welcoming. The focus was on helping buyers see past the season and imagine themselves living in the home throughout the year.

I built the marketing plan around visibility.

The professional photography needed to make a strong first impression, but it was also important to give buyers reasons to spend time with the property. The 3D tour and floorplans provided a better understanding of the home before scheduling a showing.

The listing was supported by display advertising, retargeting and additional online placement beyond the standard MLS exposure. 

The campaign generated more than 42,000 total views, along with more than 3,100 display ad views. Buyers also spent time reviewing the property details, floorplans and Matterport tour. See this listing and it's features here.

The Result

The home sold for $495,000 after 18 days on the market.

This was a great reminder that selling during the winter does not mean settling for limited exposure. With the right preparation and a marketing plan built for the season, a home can still reach a large and active audience.

The Situation

Marketing a condominium is different from marketing a traditional single family home.

The buyer is not only purchasing the unit. They are also choosing the building, neighborhood and lifestyle that come with it.

For this Grand Avenue condo, the challenge was helping buyers understand the complete opportunity. The home offered a great Saint Paul location, but the marketing needed to connect the interior space with the surrounding Grand Avenue lifestyle.

The Personalized Plan

Deb focused on preparing and presenting the unit so it felt open, comfortable and easy to picture as home.

Together, we looked at how each room would appear online and how buyers would move through the space. The goal was to make the condo feel inviting while also giving buyers the practical information they needed.

I positioned the listing around both the home and the location. Professional photography highlighted the property, while the floorplans and 3D tour helped buyers understand the layout before visiting.

The listing generated more than 33,000 total views and additional engagement through the property page, floorplans, tour and targeted advertising. See this listing and it's features here.

The Result

The condo sold for $340,000 after 19 days on the market.

This sale showed why even a smaller property deserves a complete marketing plan. The size or price of a home does not determine the level of care it should receive.

Every seller deserves thoughtful preparation, professional presentation and a strategy designed around the property.

A Plan Built Around You and Your Home

These three homes were very different.

One was a character filled Como Park home with a rare garage. One was a Roseville home entering the market during winter. One was a Grand Avenue condo offering a completely different lifestyle.

The preparation plans were different. The pricing strategies were different. The marketing details were adjusted for each home.

The common thread was a personal approach.

Deb and I spent time understanding each property, seller and situation. Deb helped the sellers decide what to address before listing and how to present the home at its best. I created the pricing, launch and marketing strategy, monitored the response and helped guide each seller through the decisions that followed.

Large view counts are exciting, but views alone do not sell a home.

The real value comes from combining thoughtful preparation, accurate pricing, strong presentation, broad exposure, consistent communication and experienced negotiation.

That is the difference between simply listing a home and building a plan around it.

Meet Deb: The Person Behind the Preparation

Deb Bastyr has been an important part of the Hartmann Team since 2007 and helps sellers prepare their homes for the market while overseeing the visual presentation of every listing.

Her role goes well beyond photography. Deb walks through the home with the seller, helps identify which improvements are worthwhile and creates a manageable preparation plan. When needed, she also helps coordinate painters, flooring installers, cleaners, handymen and other trusted professionals.

Once the home is ready, Deb coordinates the photography, Matterport 3D tour, floorplans and other visual media. Her background in design and visual storytelling helps ensure each home is presented naturally, accurately and at its absolute best.

For sellers, this means fewer details to manage, a clear plan to follow and an experienced person helping bring everything together before the home reaches the market.

Let’s Build Your Personalized Home Plan

If you are considering selling, reach out to schedule a personalized home consultation with Deb and me.

You will receive honest advice about preparing your home, current market conditions, pricing, timing and the marketing strategy that makes the most sense for your property and goals.

To get started, complete the seller survey:

https://hartmannteam.com/seller-survey/

Hartmann Team | RE/MAX Results