The hallmark of a strong marketing campaign is  a slogan that sticks with you.  Honda's new marketing campaign, 'Everyone knows someone who loves a Honda,' is one such campaign. Every time I hear one of the commercials or see one of the ads, I think of people I know who have Hondas.  There is a lot of truth in the campaign; Honda owners are a loyal bunch!

I had some friends over this week for a get together. The group was all women and I co-hosted the event with two girlfriends.  During the party, no less than 2 people mentioned to me that they had an ongoing social relationship with their real estate agent. Being a Realtor, I am used to hearing these confessions; friends want to make it clear why they might use someone else for a future transaction.  I never begrudge them this relationship--I hope that my clients are equally as loyal.
realtor and client

The truth is that I hope all of my friends have a Realtor that they know and trust.  Of course, in a perfect world it would be me, but in this profession, a little bit of a thick skin is a necessity. If it hasn't happened to you yet, one day you will find out that a very good friend of yours bought or sold a house without even mentioning it to you.  It may sting a bit..after all, you will feel that you could have done the best job for them. At the end of the day, what is most important is that anyone who buys or sells real estate has solid representation.


I know plenty of colleagues who are very good at what they do and would provide exceptional representation for their clients. I hope that all my friends can honestly say, 'Everyone knows someone who loves their Realtor!'

And if they can't, I am always looking for new clients....

 

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momentum Realty

I believe that buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE. If I can help you, your friends or family buy or sell their next home in Northern Virginia, please let me know!

If you need help with a home outside of Northern Virginia, I have an extensive network of referral agents and will make sure you are working with the best!

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80 Comments on Everyone knows someone who loves a...Realtor

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
26
2009
221,610 Points Outside Blog

Hi Holly,

 

I see you're in Reston!  My company's office is in Reston although I work in Arlington/Alexandria mostly.  Glad I caught your post ;-)

 

Justin

8:21am • #61
224,394 Points 2 Featured Posts

I like that commercial too! And it's true, you can apply that to people knowing real estate agents. How clever.

8:21am • #62
213,239 Points 5 Featured Posts

What a great post. It is easy to get self absorbed in our own world and it can be refreshing to see the big picture and world may be bigger than you. Bravo.

8:22am • #63
1,336,766 Points 128 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Holly, The first friend that goes with another agent stings the most.

 My clients and friends are much more upset when someone they know does not use me.

Always having enough business in your pipeline is the answer. No one "gives' you a buyer or a listing. It must be earned.

And to quote a terrific agent in Reston,Virginia:

"I believe buying or selling real estate should be a GREAT EXPERIENCE!"

  Will you be at ReBar?

8:54am • #64
330,753 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I always praise and encourage faithfulness like this! What a great post!

When friends/relations choose another agent, there can be so many reasons...I never take it personally. I'm grateful when hired, and sometimes, I'm grateful NOT to be hired.

I hope all my clients enjoyed their experience as much as possible. I get a ton of referral business, so I think that they are!

9:27am • #65

Loyalty is key in our business.

9:30am • #66
307,045 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good point.  It is funny that many who get into the business expect instant loyalty from all friends and family when their friends and family might have had a long standing relationship with a REALTOR.

9:32am • #67

Great post, thanks... Maintain relationships and you maintain referrals:)

10:52am • #68
1,023,886 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Excellent post.  Loyal clients are important.  Referral business is great and is easier than finding clients on my own.

11:54am • #69
345,285 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great post!!! Its going to stick in my head for rest of the year specially with all the family holiday events coming up.

12:04pm • #70
467,812 Points 40 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You are right, everyone knows a realtor and many feel "pressured" to work with a friend or family member but this is not always the best idea. I often receive business from folks who want to use a third party instead because of the myriad of situations that can pop up during any transaction. Nice post and i like your attitude about loyalty, I feel the same way!

1:17pm • #71
Localism Sponsor

Holly:  I, too trust that Sellers/Buyers return to me when a Realtor is needed.  The first thing I try to do is put my shoes in theirs; I become their sister, their best friend, their daughter, their business partner, whatever is needed to build up that trust factor...I work for them...and show it.  Thanks for the thought-provoking post.  debra 

1:30pm • #72
113,059 Points 1 Featured Post

I too have devoloped a thick skin.  I don't take it personally if a friend chooses to do business elsewhere.  Perhaps they don't want me to know their personal financial information and as a friend, I respect their choice.  Some of the time I do get business or referrals from friends so it's 50/50. 

On one occasion a friend of mine was in the process of buying his first house and the loan officer really screwed up. The buyer (my friend) was not going to have enough cash to close.  He was about $1000 short.  (Long story) He was coming to the end of the purchase contract and had no time left to spare.

Sometimes a friend goes elsewhere for business and calls you when they are in trouble.

I was able to get him into a new loan product and get it funded in less than a week.  I credited him a portion of my commission in escrow  to cover some of the closing costs so he could get his house.  It's not like I would do that very often but this friend also worked on computers for a living and had fixed mine several times at no charge to me.  He'd only let me give him a beer for his work.  As a friend, I was happy to give back. I told him I wouldn't feel bad about him working on my computer when I needed it in the future.

Did he send me referrals and come back to me years later?  You bet he did!

2:07pm • #73
240,256 Points 16 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I once worked for someone who's logo was "all of my clients are friends and all of my friends are my clients."  He would then look at you straight in the eyes and say "Martin - why don't you go out and make a new friend?"

5:06pm • #74
293,104 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It's tough to swallow sometimes, but it does happen and, as you said, the important thing is that they don't go it alone.

6:45pm • #75
237,566 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

That's a great attitude Holly. Our profession needs more people with that outlook.

8:24pm • #76
OCT
27
2009
702,232 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I can't remember where Alan got that phrase about the cat?  Everyone seems to know a few and I hope that my clients feel they can come back to me for help or direction.  Sometimes, you can't help everyone that you know!  Good post.

4:45pm • #78
OCT
28
2009
196,826 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Very true Holly. No matter how solid you are...some people do not like working with friends. However, I am lucky to have only experienced this once.

12:43am • #79
242,006 Points

Holly:  I completely agree.  If a meet someone, be it a friend, someone at an open house, etc., who says they have a Realtor I encourage them to use that individual if they've done a good job for them in the past.  I would want them to be loyal to me, so why not want them to be loyal for this other individual?

5:21pm • #80

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Holly Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Northern VA

Reston, VA

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Momentum Realty,LLC, Potomac Falls,VA

Address: Reston,Herndon,Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, Oak Hill, Falls Church, Sterling, Potomac Falls, McLean,Chantilly, Leesburg, Ashburn, Reston, VA

Office Phone: (571) 643-4902

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