The Other Realtor® Kicked Me to the Curb! | Hawaii Relocations

Sometimes tou have to do what other agents won't do.  Hawaii is a gorgeous area and you should have a lot relocating there.  My dream was to move to Hawaii and charter boats for fishing.  I am still dreaming.

And I am one of the realtors who help relocating buyers...it takes time but knowing that you've done your best, whether they relocate or not, is the best reward ever!

Thanks for your post...surely hope that buyers relocating to Hawaii will read this and contact you!

I'm sure your time frame is longer than ours for relocations, but we still have to work with people a long time before the clients finally get their new home. It almost always is well worth the work and patience. 

Relocation isn't a pack your bags and move tomorrow scenario.  Patience and regular communication are the keys to keeping a potential buyer moving forward.

Sally, what a great post! (as aways) That must be so frustrating for people. And a move to Hawaii is fairly complicated when you are moving from the mainland over to the islands! And you are just the one to help them!

If I kicked a client to the curb because they weren't quite ready to buy, I would never have any business.  I know there are agents out there who feel that if they aren't ready to buy today they aren't worth the time but I sure don't subscribe to that point of view. 

We aren't a relocation market but often our first meeting with a client whether in person or on the phone is an exploratory conversation.  Many are not today buyers but they are someday buyers.  I agree, the long lead time gives time to get acquainted and by the time the buyers are ready to move forward you are their best friend.  Isn't that what Real Estate is really about, building relationships? 

Sally to me a big part of our Industry is to be willing to work with people who are not ready to by tomorrow.  For me it is working with those that have Credit issues and helping them fix it to the point that they then are in a position to purchase.

It takes time and work, but if they listen to what I tell them and do it, I then have a client for life.  They remember what you did for them, and questions like "what is the interest rate" does not even come into the picture, because I have earned their trust, and they know that I will do my best to do what is best for them.

Sally - Patience and attentiveness has paid off for me.  I get the same scenario.  It's often people moving here to retire, or downsize, or take a position at a hospital or the university.  It's rarely an INSTANT sale.  You are so right about "getting to know" your client, and their needs.  All the more reason to know when they do get here...they are ready to buy and be happy.

Sally - Many of the prospective borrowers I am working with now weren't ready when they first contacted me months ago.  Sometimes getting your finances in order can take months and being able to talk to an MLO is helpful.  Besides knowing what they're doing beforehand helps ensure that they become a stronger borrower when they're ready.

Sally - I think if you want to work with relocation you have to expect that timing varies widely, depending on what folks are looking for, their reasons for moving, and more. I have clients I have been working with for more than 2 years - several of them. The timing, to me, does not matter, although I like to of course know their sense of urgency, or not. And it sometimes changes...in either directions.

Jeff

Hi Sally... I never doubted that you were more interested in long term relationships than short term dollars!  In the end you will be richer, both personally and financially!

Sally, I would think moving to Hawaii would be the easiet thing to decide to do. I would love to move to paradise.

Great post!  I would agree that patience and attentiveness does pay off.  If the client really listen to you every step of the way, then I believe you have a client for life.

We deal with clients relocating from up north and it can indeed often take a year or longer before they are ready to purchase! Great post!

Sally,

I really like that you take the long view and create relationships. 

Mike in Tucson

It's not that hard to keep in touch with buyers who aren't quite ready to buy.  If you show that you are sincerely interested in their move, they'll respond and let you know when they're coming.  Sometimes it takes a year or two or maybe more before the timing is right.