January 22, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Early last year, MAR teamed with Art Van to introduce the Home Rewards Program for Michigan REALTORS® and their clients. The new program offered $150 to home purchasers for use at Art Van, Paul’s TV and World of Floors and about 1,600 REALTORS® signed up clients in 2012.
While that might seem like a pretty good first year, Art Van’s Vice President of Financial Services, Ken Bussell, thinks they can do better in 2013; much better. Toward that goal, Art Van has doubled the value of the program, from $150 to $300 and is beginning a full-blown campaign to get the word out to Michigan REALTORS® and gift cards in the hands of Michigan home buyers.
To Bussell, this is far more than just a great promotional opportunity, it’s a way to play a part in helping Michigan continue to gain ground and improve economically. Art Van has been a Michigan-based company since it began 53 years ago and, like MAR, is a strong supporter of rebuilding the state’s economy through home ownership. For that reason, they designed (and redesigned) the program based on REALTOR’S® comments and concerns.
“Before we started the program we interviewed REALTORS® for their views,” explained Bussell. “After the first year, we went back to the drawing board and asked if the program was indeed a real value, and the answer was ‘Yes!’ We also found out how important it was to REALTORS® that their clients received the VIP treatment when they went to Art Van to redeem the gift cards. We took it all to heart and revamped the program.”
Through the Home Rewards Program, after closing on a home, Michigan REALTORS can register their clients online via Art Van’s Web site. REALTORS can then choose to have the program package sent to the client by Art Van or they can deliver it themselves. Either way, it’s a WIN-WIN-WIN situation!
To ensure that each Home Rewards Program participant receives special care at Art Van stores, the company has trained and designated staff to assist them with their decorating and purchasing decisions. In fact, all Art Van staff are trained in the program and stand ready to assist.
As the program begins its second year, Bussell says, “We still feel very excited about the Home Rewards Program and over the past year we have learned new ways to make it better and stronger over the long haul. We think Art Van, MAR and all Michigan REALTORS® are a natural fit and together we are working hard to get the word out so everyone can benefit from the Program in 2013.”
Art Van is mailing all Michigan REALTORS® information they can use when introducing the program to clients so watch your mailbox! If you can’t wait to get onboard, both MAR and Art Van have brochures and other information available on their Web sites. You can also get information at the Art Van booth at MAR’s 2013 Achieve Conference, January 24-25 at the MGM Grand in Detroit. Don’t miss this great opportunity to help your clients, MAR and Art Van make the Home Rewards Program a state-wide success for everyone!
Source: MAR
