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When A Horse In Your Face Is A Good Thing

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Horse Check InBeing from the state of Texas has its advantages. As a matter of fact the county I live in has the highest density of horses for its area. From this I have learned

       When A Horse In Your Face Is A Good Thing.

Whether you own one of these large, beautiful four legged creatures or not, if you have some in your area, pull over the car every once in awhile to the side of the road and saunter up to the fence. You will really get some action if you have a carrot or apple in your hand. Horses by nature are curious and the ones that aren't skittish playing games with you chasing them all over the field will really come up to you and say hi.

It reminds me of customer service, follow-up with past customers on a regular basis from real estate transactions or prospects, or in general just doing what a horse does so naturally,

                 Just Checking In.

It seems so simple in life. And now with ease of texting, email, and of course who doesn't LOVE the phone call if you can reach someone, something so nice to do along the way in your week. People even here in the Rain check on each other when we haven't heard from them in awhile with a brief email or phone call.

So stick your face in someone else's and be downright friendly and take the lesson from the horse. But don't try this checking in trick over the fence with a stand of buffalo you may encounter. We have them around here in a pasture or two. They take unkindly to eye contact and most likely will "charge you."

Buffalo must be related to ornery people. No good deed goes unpunished some days.

Sandy Shores FL RealtorĀ®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Gary, Horses are wonderful creatures. This reminds me a recent trip to Busch Gardens when we were visiting the Clydesdales. This friendly horse kept nudging the girls as we were taking a picture.  He was so funny!

Aug 17, 2009 11:37 PM
Erin Golding
Hallmark Sotheby's International Realty Hopkinton, MA - Bellingham, MA

Great post, Gary.  I love the analogy!

Aug 17, 2009 11:58 PM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Gary - horses and llamas, they like to socialize, cows and buffalo, well maybe not so much. Follow up is essential.

Aug 17, 2009 11:58 PM
Mara Hawks
First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL
Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

Great analogy, Gary. We can learn so much from observing animals, and you've illustrated a simple, very important point. Thanks for the smiles, encouragement and wisdom...;-)

Aug 18, 2009 12:27 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Horse in the face huh?  Had not thought about it that way... Did you enter this photo in the nature and marketing contest?  If not, it would have been a good one.  Great post.

Aug 18, 2009 12:50 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Hi Gary

Well said, we need to stay in the (face) of our customer.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Aug 18, 2009 01:54 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Gary:  Touching base with our past clients is really a good thing.  Especially when they first move in to a house.  Just because they sign on the dotted line for the purchase doesn't mean you are done.  What if there is a simple issue that you can help them with.  The dishwasher doesn't work and you remind them of that handy home warranty.  Simple things.

Aug 18, 2009 03:50 AM
June Tassillo
Owner/Broker RE/MAX Elite Realty - Franklin, NC
Let me help you with the next phase of your life!

Great post Gary!  What a great way to think of staying in contact with others. 

Aug 18, 2009 04:02 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

It's not hard to stay in touch with people, you just have to be willing to do it. Pick up the phone and make a few calls and stay in the habit calling everyone you know.

Aug 18, 2009 04:15 AM
Cynthia Smitherman
Emage` Fine Properties, LLC - Chandler, AZ
DESIGNATED BROKER, ABR, GRI, REALTOR REALTIST

Cute! We have horse property here in AZ, I have always wanted to market them.  An article like yours would be a great connection, at least a picture of a horse.  Of course staying in touch is the key to all successful REALTORS, thanksf or the insite.

Aug 18, 2009 05:04 AM
The Rains Team
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Hoschton, GA
A higher standard in real estate

Hey Gary, Great photo! Maintaining good past client contact is important and will help you be much more successful in this business.

Have a wonderful day,

Anne Rains

Aug 18, 2009 05:36 AM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Gry-"nothng does more for the inside of a man..than being on the outsode of a horse" Ronald Reagan said that- I happen to own ne of these wonderful animals-and I can tell you we can learn a lot about how to get in someone's face fromt here- You nailed it.

 

Aug 18, 2009 08:53 AM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904

Sorry Gary

Apparently my new voice recognition software..has a mind of its own

 

Aug 18, 2009 08:58 AM
Susie Blackmon
Ocala, FL
Ocala, Horses, Western Wear, Horse Farms, Marketing

Hmmm, I've never garnered any action with an apple. (I need to find an Airstream where you live so I can have access to many more horse videos! In due time I'll be in horse country somewhere.)

Aug 18, 2009 10:49 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gary, I'm late but that's adorable.  It would be SO nice if people were friendlier....everyone is always in such a rush, it seems they forget to be kind and courteous.

Aug 18, 2009 01:13 PM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Gary, it is so true.  I have shown several properties near horses, and they always come over to say hello and find out who might be moving in. They are amazing creatures, and yes -- we can take a lesson there.  Now the buffalo... LOL Gary!

Aug 18, 2009 03:34 PM
Sandy Nelson
Riley Jackson Real Estate Inc. - Olympia, WA
your Olympia area Realtor

Hi Gary,

Getting nuzzled by a horse is something everybody should experience at least once. it's one of my favorite things.

Aug 19, 2009 06:02 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I'm one of those who basically is not comfortable around anything that's too much bigger than I am, especially when it has a big mouth and weighs ten times what I do.

Aug 19, 2009 10:24 AM
Leslie Helm
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Gary. I really enjoyed this post! Tell Sandy to be sure and wear a white shirt when she's going to be nuzzled by a horse...LOL.

Great analogy...horses are inquisitive and they will usually come right over, just to "check in." Everyone is flattered by a little attention so it's a good idea to check in with past customers!

Aug 22, 2009 06:07 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Great pic and analogy. Horses are beautiful animals.

Sep 11, 2009 05:46 PM