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Photo by Jim Craven Real estate agent Andrea Mobley and her husband, James, are reflected in the rear window of their van, which broadcasts information about how Andrea can help you buy a home. Prospective buyers can tune their AM car radios to hear the broadcast when they see the van. She's driven to succeed Agent Andrea Mobley spreads her real estate message via radio van By JULIE SWENSEN Looking to buy a new house? Turn on your radio. Andrea Mobley, an agent with Realestaters Better Homes and Gardens in Medford, joined an emerging advertising vehicle about three months ago when she put a radio transmitter in her van. When motorists see her white van with her name on the side, they can tune their car radio to hear more about she can do for them. BUSINESS CARD Name : Andrea Mobley Service : Agent for Realestaters Better Homes and Gardens Location : 406 S. Riverside Ave., Medford Phone number : (541) 734-5276; toll-free, (800) 888-5276 On the Web at: www.andreamobley.com While Mobley still advertises in more traditional venues such as the newspaper -- "I think you have to do a little bit of everything," she said -- she's finding that more buyers are driving around to look for homes, and she can reach them through the radio. Her calls have since increased. "You have to keep being creative," she said. James Mobley, her husband and marketing director, got the idea from a mailer sent by Talking House. The company offers transmitters to put in sellers' homes that allow would-be buyers to tune their car radio at the curb and learn about the home's features. Andrea starting putting the transmitters in sellers' homes at the same time the van transmitter went in. While a home may not have great "curb appeal," James said, a radio broadcast can let prospective buyers know about features they may fall in love with and prompt them to take a second look. James said he thinks they've already recouped their investment. While Andrea would only say that it cost them "thousands of dollars" to get the system running, she said, "our clients are worth it." Sellers benefit because the advertising runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Mobleys benefit because, while an ad will run a day or two, their one-time purchase of radio equipment can be used over and over. The van's transmitter looks like a small VCR and sits on the floor inside. It's not hooked up to any particular radio frequency; she can program the unit to any frequency she wants (It's currently set at 1060 AM). The three-minute message can be received up to 300 feet away. Because she's used the radio equipment for a short time, it's hard to say exactly how it's affected her business. But she said her calls have increased. Susanne Robertson, a marketing director for Realestaters, said in a statement that the transmitters have been used on home listings for several years. But, she said, it's Realestaters' understanding that Mobley is one of the first agents in the nation to convert her vehicle into a "mobile mini-radio station." Bob Strosser, president of the board of the Rogue Valley Association of Realtors, said he knows of many agents who use the Talking House technology, but Mobley is the only one he's heard of who has such a van. As another sign of changing advertising methods, Strosser said the Internet is playing a "substantial role" in the marketing of properties. It not only has the ability to reach a wider market, but prospective buyers can literally look through a home in a "virtual tour." The technologically savvy Mobley has a Web site, too. Besides the Internet, the van, and the Talking House transmitters, Mobley says she's getting still more advertising -- her husband also drives a van with her name on the side. He hopes to put a radio transmitter in it as well. "Right now, I have everybody saying, `I see you everywhere,"' Andrea said. Today's Business Index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA