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Realtor Repair Kit...Duct Tape, WD-40, and "CONTACT ADHESIVE"!!!

By
Title Insurance with Patriot Land Transfer, Inc.

 If you missed my post of yesterday, you missed a good one...of the couple of hundred posts I've written, this was among one of my best! Here, I'll give you another chance!!! Be sure and come back, now...click here

Had my timing been better it would have earned a feature, I'm sure!

The post WAS featured in 'The Silent Majority Group' for which I'm thankful! The post outlined 7 points that need to be urgently addressed before the market returns to 'normal' and the real estate industry rights itself!!!

 Enough of my egotistical rantings...I read on a Seth Godin post (you all know who he is---anyone with 'god' in his name certainly deserves some attention) where 91% of Realtors never contact either the buyers or sellers of a property after closing!

Did I hear that right...did I just say 91% of Realtors never contact either the buyers or sellers after a real estate closing???

Let's see...average sale price...$350,000...average commission on transaction...$21,000...Hmmmm...that should justify at least a phone call, greeting card, post card, or email don't you think?

 Now, wait a second, Realtors...I didn't say that, I'm quoting the guru of the 'Google World', Seth Godin...check it out if you don't believe me...and no 'smart' remarks in the comment section! I'm just telling it like it is...or rather like your hero, Seth Godin says it is!

I have nothing against Mr. Godin, I don't even know him...and certainly I have never had the privilege of meeting him!

I'm merely quoting someone who is highly respected in the world of Active Rain, Google, and 2.0!

Nor am I pointing fingers or attempting to lay blame for anything or upon anyone...my blog faithful can attest to that...I'm merely raising awareness that a gross inadequacy exists that needs to be addressed!!! And God only knows, every little thing we're doing wrong should be corrected! Especially now, when we have the time for reflection and retrospection and even atonement!

 

Before this post turns into a sermon, I want to encourage you who haven't done so, to go back and reread yesterday's post, blend it with what you've read here, and draw your own conclusions!

 

I love repairing things...all kinds of things...furniture, equipment, clothing, faulty systems, construction flaws, gadgets, etc...If I were a Realtor, I would certainly want to be counted in that 9% who make some contact after closing with a buyer or seller with whom I have been involved...or I would get about the business of repairing!!!

                                                         

 

Comments (40)

Bob Cumiskey
A1 Connection Realty, Inc. - Sun City Center, FL
US Army Retired, Your Sun City Center, Florida ~ Realtor

So far I have been able to keep in contact with my buyers on a weekly basis.  They seem to enjoy hearing from me and love showing me what they've done to the house.  Sometimes on a really hectic day, I take a swing by a previous buyer and visit even if it's just to get a heartfelt hug.  I closed on a house yesterday, and informed my buyers I would be "popping in" from time to time just to say hi and see how they change the house around.  They loved the idea.  After all, I am their hero. 

 

Feb 28, 2008 05:32 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Fran- I'll take 2 cans please...how much is shipping?  do I need to contact you again after I get these LOl.....9% well hell then I'm not doing bad at all.
Feb 28, 2008 06:03 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service
Fran: Where do you come up with these things? I do keep in touch with clients and I do try to treat them as I would my owm family or dear friends. Thanks for the post.
Feb 28, 2008 06:29 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Bob: Increasing your SOI, Sphere Of Influence is extremely important in networking! That one satisfied buyer you closed with last week may have bought their last home, but you're tapping into their SOI, and their contact base!!! Magic!!!

Kathy: Would you like spray or roll on??? LOL

Nicholas: Keep doing what you're doing!!!

Thanks,   Fran

Feb 28, 2008 06:47 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Fran, I didn't realize the number was that high!  So maybe I am approaching unique!  Although there are a few I didn't contact, because they were just awful human beings who flunked the fun test.  And still, they managed to find me.  Go figure!  
Feb 28, 2008 09:38 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Patricia,

Some you inherit for life...you're the only one that will put up with them!!! :^) Thanks,   Fran

Feb 28, 2008 10:50 AM
Tina Merritt
Nest Realty - Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Real Estate
Thanks for the reminder to make those contacts!!!!!
Feb 28, 2008 11:59 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Tina,

As the world gets smaller, we need to make our world, our Sphere Of Influence larger!!! Thanks,   Fran

Feb 28, 2008 12:28 PM
Chris DeSimone
DFW Fine Properties - Southlake, TX
CRS, GRI, Realtor
Two great posts, Fran.  I say one way to improve consumer confidence is to squelch all the bad press.   It is doom and gloom predictions that incite the real thing.  Today's blog reminded me about the two or three clients I need to follow up with.  Thanks.  Now I'll stress over it 'til I get it done. 
Feb 28, 2008 12:39 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Chris,

No stressin on my blog!!! :) Thanks,   Fran

Feb 28, 2008 01:24 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

Fran..... I only wish our average sales price was $350,000..... WoW.....

Yes I agree many agents miss the boat on referral and repeat business by not doing follow up. 91% is a VERY STUNNING number..

Feb 28, 2008 04:23 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Roland,

Not really...then your cost of living would be a lot higher...you can't win!!! :) Thanks,   Fran

Feb 28, 2008 10:06 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Fran,

I don't know what it's like there in the USA, however here in Ontario I believe that figure is very over-inflated. Most agents here keep in touch with their clients through the years and most follow up with their clients after a closing.
They wouldn't be in business long if they didn't, that's for sure. 

Jo 

Feb 29, 2008 12:10 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Jo,

I found it hard to believe, personally...it would be curious to see Canadian stats on this!!! Thanks,   Fran

Feb 29, 2008 02:45 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
I always knew I was a bit on the "rare" side -- I ALWAYS keep in contact with past clients.  They get a minimum of 4 unique and clever cards a year - plus, I try to call after a closing and see how things are going -- I send emails on things they are intersted in and keep them current on events in their towns.  It generates a lot of referrals.  I am glad that most agents miss these opportunities.  shhhhh
Mar 03, 2008 02:17 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Joan,

I hear exactly what you're saying!!! :) Thanks,   Fran

Mar 03, 2008 02:59 PM
Eliese Pivarnik
Colorado Group Realty, LLC - Steamboat Springs, CO
CRS, GRI, ABR, RSPS, Colorado Group Realt
I like keeping in touch with buyers.  Once the "business" is out of the way, many of them have become friends.
Mar 03, 2008 03:07 PM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Eliese,

That's good business sense!!! Thanks,   Fran

Mar 03, 2008 10:13 PM
Rick Callaham
Team Quintana Real Estate - Spokane, WA
Spokane Realtor
Nice post, I like that realtors catch and release so I can get them next time.
Mar 04, 2008 04:24 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

Rick,

I couldn't tell you how many times I have capitalized from the ineptness of others in the business!!! Thanks,   Fran

Mar 04, 2008 04:37 AM