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A Hand Written Note Can Say a Thousand Words

Real Estate Agent with Hoang Realty

May 09, 2012 01:32 AM

A Hand Written Note Can Say a Thousand Words

I was reminded of the truth of this recently.

I had a closing a couple of weeks ago with a buyer client that went relatively smoothly, all things considered. There had been some hiccups that arose when the title company stepped in to do their title search and I thought it might hang us up a little, but everything was settled and we closed on time. This client is a young man, first time home buyer, and just about the nicest person I have ever worked with. I knew that he was an artist by hobby - he dabbled with drawing and painting - but it was not his chosen career.

I know the value of hand written notes and I send them frequently to my clients and prospects. However I am not usually the recipient of a hand written note. This is what I received in the mail from my client:

This is a hand made card, with a hand drawn picture of the home he had just purchased.

It brought tears to my eyes.

It was simply the nicest thank you I have every received.

So I thought I would share this as a reminder to everyone - in this age of cell phones, email, texting, Facebook, whatever...take a couple of minutes and hand write and mail a note to someone! It doesn't have to be long - just a few lines that get the message across - "hey, thinking of you."

You might just make their day.

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Kimo Jarrett

Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA

Pro Lifestyle Solutions

I use email for the notes or send e-cards, yet, I can see where a personal note might be more effective. Sending a note is the key, whether it's email or snail mail in my opinion.

May 10, 2012 02:11 AM

Linda Urbick

RealtyOne Group - San Ramon, CA

Selling San Ramon Valley - 925-786-5132

It isso nice when we receive notes or gifts from our clients--it just solidifys that we did a good job.

May 10, 2012 02:22 AM

Joy Carter & Jeff Booker Brother and Sister Team

Keller Williams Parkland/Coral Springs Realty-GreatFloridaHomes Team - Coral Springs, FL

Trust Your Family's Move To Our Expertise!

I am always VERY PLEASANTLY Surprised when a client writes to us. We got a HUGE Gift basket the other day. We earned that one, as the husband and wife were always arguing and it was so hard to bring them to the same page, but we found the right place and closed.

Whenever I read about someone I know, I cut it out and put it in an envelope to them with a note that says - So much fun to read about nice people we know! Joy

May 10, 2012 03:13 AM

Gary & April Greer

Realty ONE Group Southwest - Temecula, CA

Real Estate Professionals

I love to send thank you cards and even home made cards. In an age when hardly anyone does it, I think it says a lot to take that time. A personal touch.

And what an awesome thank you from your client. Very nice!

May 10, 2012 03:36 AM

Bobi Bigelow

Jim Green Realty - Fort Myers, FL

Advertising / Marketing Administrator

I couldn't agree more, one of our realtors, Richard Clark, always includes a hand written note with 'every' document he sends!

May 10, 2012 03:53 AM

Ron Aguilar

Gateway Mortgage Group - Saint George, UT

Mortgage & Real Estate Advisor since 1995

Lisa, nice post. Thanks

May 10, 2012 05:48 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

This is so great. He could even send that to friends saying 'here's the new house!'.

May 10, 2012 09:02 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Lisa

What a wonderful compliment to you!! A true gift.

Handwritetn notes are so rare these days and as this one demnstrated they can be truly treasured in this email/cell phone/texting age.

I write a fair number of notes and always send thank yous.

Jeff

May 10, 2012 10:22 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

A note like that is worth more than the commission - Well maybe not that much, but is sure feels good.

May 10, 2012 02:25 PM

Bob Miller

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL

The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Lisa, you are so right. And especially when we receive them. Got one from a short sale client we closed just recently. she was so grateful.

May 10, 2012 08:10 PM

Anonymous

It's obvious that this kind of personal recognition, not just the monetary reward, meant a lot, not just to you but to every seasoned agent that commented. I also couldn't help feeling 'warm and fuzzy' seeing that note and reminding me of the few handwritten good words I've received over the years that have meant so much to me. Congratulations on the tribute of a job well done and the recognition, so rare these days, of the effort you put in and that it did not go unrequited.

May 10, 2012 09:38 PM

#51

Ken Anderson

Apex Results Realty Inc., Brokerage - Burlington, ON

Broker in Burlington, Ontario

OOPs! Forgot to login, again. Sorry.

May 10, 2012 09:39 PM

Bill Fields

Bill Fields Learning Systems - Treasure Island, FL

Nice post and I agree I try to send 5 written notes a day.

May 10, 2012 09:58 PM

Lisa Hicks

Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME

Serving Central and Southern Maine

@ Bud & Beth - the sweet, unexpected things are definitely the best!

@ Charita - you had tears too? :D (Hey, hope that cold has gone!!!)

@ Cheryl - we should all do this more often, I think.

@ Kathy - yes, it really takes very little to make my day. :D

@ Teri - I thought the picture he drew was the best part!

@ Bill - it did make me feel good.

@ Jon - you're welcome!

@ Rosalind - you're welcome, too!

@ Eric - it's already hanging. :D How much longer before you have your license?

@ Gretchen and Mel - personally, I would rather receive a thoughtful card than a gift any day.

@ Peter - you're welcome!

@ Michael - good for you "suggesting" that to your son!

@ Nick - what great gifts for your clients!

@ Tammie - I hadn't thought about putting it on my website. That's a good idea. Thanks!

@ Debbie - thanks...and I still haven't figured out the whole featured thing. This post was featured after only 3 comments....

@ Unknown poster: Thank you! Did you forget to sign in?

@ Sandra - thanks for the comment. Yes, I think about the post office angle, too. :D

@ Amanda - I think I will start a card wall in my office.

@ Maggie - I still get amazed every time someone thanks me for a card I have sent. No one expects them anymore.

@ Margaret - definitely priceless.

@ Marsha - it is always nice to feel appreciated...we all like that feeling, I think!

@ Terry - I would have a hard time throwing them out, too.

@ Rachel - very, very cool. You're welcome!

@ Kimo - yes, acknowledgement in any form is important.

@ Linda - getting the feedback of a job well done is great.

@ Joy - I like your idea about cutting out articles about people you know and mailing them out. Thanks!

@ Gary & April - I agree, it is the personal touch that makes it so special.

@ Bobi - really? With every document? Good for him.

@ Ron - you're welcome!

@ Lyn - it is great.

@ Jeff - with so many of us liking the idea it really shouldn't be so rare anymore, should it???

@ Gene - just as good as the commission, maybe. :D

@ Bob - I admit it...I love receiving them!

@ Ken - LOL! I noticed the trend, too, that this seems to mean a lot to many. (If you look up, someone else forgot to log in, too...)

May 10, 2012 10:20 PM

Lisa Hicks

Hoang Realty - Augusta, ME

Serving Central and Southern Maine

@ Bill - 5 a day! Good for you! Thanks for stopping by.

May 10, 2012 10:22 PM

Dana Smithers

PRES Staging Resource Centre - Vancouver, BC

PRES Staging Training, Redesign Training & Busines

Love it when it touches our heart! While I do love a personal note I am a big fan of Send Out Cards and use them all the time. I often upload photos of my client's Before & After photos (I'm a home stager) and find they often have forgotten what their home looked like before it was staged.

May 11, 2012 07:02 AM

Tim Lorenz

TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA

949 874-2247

I tried using the written notes this year and supprised at how well the clients received them.

May 11, 2012 07:08 AM

Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, Inc.

Dennis J. Zisa & Associates, Inc. - Camden, NJ

31 years in So. Jersey and the Greater Camden area

So true, and what a great reminder!

May 12, 2012 04:49 AM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz