REASONS TO CALL YOUR REALTOR
When was the last time you talked to your real estate agent? After the closing and the closing gift is delivered buyers and sellers move on in their lives (no pun intended).
Many of us don’t talk to our REALTORS® until we decide to make a move. I am a REALTOR® and I get it. After a closing, I tend to give my clients some distance after months of texts, emails, and phone calls. I think my clients are tired of me talking and welcome the silence.
But the truth is as homeowners we get on with our lives and our real estate agents make a living getting a buyer’s dream home to the closing table and advising sellers on how to prep their homes before the buyers tour the closets and garage. But as Realtors, we love to hear from you and answer your questions.
REASONS TO CALL YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT
But your real estate agent wants to hear how you are doing. The relationship does not stop after the utilities are transferred to the new owners.
Here are a few reasons to call your agent based on my experience as a licensed real estate agent in Colorado, ** If you were happy with their services. We love to hear from past clients even when you have no plans to move.
Here are a few examples of the calls, emails or texts I get during the week! And I love every one of them!
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Ask for the names of contractors for a project or repair. In good practice, your agent will provide you with several vendors to contact. Sometimes we only have one (l have one name for a mud-jacking service provider).
The reverse is true too. If you had a great experience with a gutter repair call your real estate agent and share their info. I routinely ask former clients for service providers they used/liked.
Most of us keep alist of names of service providers in our phones. I make a note of where my referral came from (client, family)
My dad always sends me his feedback on electricians and plumbers.
REMODEL COSTS
If you are considering a remodel call your agent and ask about the return on investment. My response is based on whether the seller will enjoy the improvements in the timeframe before they sell (think new kitchen, finished basement).
I routinely get calls about windows. Windows are an expense no one pays attention to until the foggy appearance between the glass panes.
We recently ordered new windows from Home Depot Home Services.
CURIOUS
Call you real estate agent if you are curious about the details of a recent sale or a new listing. Rarely are the details of a sold property accurate in the neighborhood chats.
Or, if there is a listing you are curious about because it is your same model call your agent and ask if you can preview the listing. If you are flexible with your schedule or mindful that the owners have a new baby, most listing agents welcome a preview.
REFERRALS
Refer you friends and family to your real estate agent. Especially if you think their personalities are a match. I get friend referrals and sometimes they are a great match and sometimes not so much. It’s all good.
It is like Homecoming- we love to be invited to the dance.
MOUNTAIN, BEACH OR OUT OF STATE PROPERTY
My out-of-state friends call me with referrals for mountain properties. For me, mountain properties are outside of my geographical expertise. But I have an agent I trust and refer her to clients looking for a condo, townhome, or home in Summit and Eagle County.
I also have a network of agents in different states. Some I know personally and others are in a referral network of agents.
Thank you for stopping by today. I am a licensed REALTOR® in the state of Colorado. You can read more about me .
I enjoy reading your blog and didn’t realize you were also a realtor, too. My daughter, Dawn Wilson lives in Denver and has an interior design business in Denver and also Mercer Island, WA. She prides her talented firm in working with realtors in the Northwest. Her design firm is Six-Walls.com. I know Dawn would be delighted to meet you, Laura. If interested, you might want to visit her website as well. . . dawn@six-walls.com
Best regards,
Arleen of Walla Walla, WA
Laura: Excellent advice, some San Diego agents, set up community garage sales, distribute flags on holidays in their market area. The recommendations for contractors are like gold, tried and true.