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"Can I still call you?" asked my client

By Andrea Bedard

Real Estate Agent with Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 MD594797

May 05, 2014 12:33 PM

Can I still call you? asked my client recently after we closed on her new Howard County, MD home.

Why, yes, of course! I will always have time for you!

I have always found closing days to be bitter sweet. Going from frequent meetings, daily texts, emails and phone calls to very little communication takes a bit getting used to. I actually find myself missing that interaction once all is settled and done and keys were exchanged. Maybe we can call it client-withdrawal syndrome

Of course, she can still call me. In fact, I would love for her to. I want to hear how much she enjoys her new home, the personal touches she added or upgrades she made. I love to see pictures of the improvements in my email in-box, birth announcements, Christmas wishes and phone calls just because.

And if she has any questions in the future, I would be more than happy to answer those, preferably over a cup of coffee. Our buyer-broker-agency may have officially ended but our relationship has not.

Perhaps I have just been incredibly blessed but I do enjoy ongoing relationships with my clients. As a matter of fact, I'm going to meet one of them for dinner this weekend and I can't wait to catch up and find out what's new.

Can I still call you? asked my client. Of course! I would love to hear from you!

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Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Andrea, that's a good feeling when the clients want to maintain a contact. That also works for down the road referrals from new friends

May 06, 2014 10:12 PM

John Wiley

Fort Myers, FL

Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Andrea, a client could not ask a more important question: "Can I still call you"? They had a great experience with your work and felt a relationship had been forged and wanted it to continue. They would be glad to refer you to their friends.

Great job!!

May 06, 2014 10:33 PM

AJ Heidmann ~ CRS

McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA

YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Andrea - It can almost feel like a break up... you are constantly communicating with your clients for weeks or months on end and then after settlement, going cold turkey can be tough. It always nice to hear when a client asks that question.

May 06, 2014 10:37 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

And don't forget to call her, as well! This is one client who won't feel like you are imposing!

May 06, 2014 10:54 PM

Than Maynard

Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK

Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Sure, feel free to call or email.

Always good to stay in touch with past clients. You never know when they will become current clients!

May 06, 2014 11:28 PM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Andrea, even if I go from speaking every day to not speaking at all (for whatever reason) past clients are always welcome to call me. This is someone that you have been speaking to and seeing close to every day for so long that it feels weird to just cut the cord. Even if it happens, clients should know they are more than welcome to call, whatever the reason.

May 07, 2014 12:40 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I tell clients I "come with the house" and always let them know they can call. And most end up in my circle of friends.

May 07, 2014 01:21 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

CWS - Client Withdrawal Syndrome - I get this too! Closings are indeed bittersweet.

May 07, 2014 01:40 AM

Andrea Bedard

Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD

Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

It's wonderful to be part of their journey Joan.

Indeed Laura.

Thank you Rod.

The best compliment Christie, thank you.

I thought the picture fit nicely with this post Margaret.

Yes, it's wonderful Marte!

Thank you Inna.

Me, too, Chris. It takes the connection to another level.

When we really click with clients, it's such a natural progression from client to friend. Thank you Amanda & Jared.

I can't recall a closing that didn't make me feel like that I gained a new friend Sara.

... and value our experience and feedback Joan. It feels good.

Past clients have called me to get my input about home improvement projects, paint colors and flooring Debbie. I'll direct them to your blog for the latter!

When life/business gets busy it's not an easy task to stay in touch with everyone. I make the effort but there is room for improvement. I love it when it just happens naturally Michael.

It's a very nice feeling Ed.

Thank you John! It's a great compliment.

That's so true AJ, it can feel like a break-up.

I won't Nina! It's a mutual feeling, I'm looking forward to catching up with her.

It is good Than. I would love it if they keep me in mind for all things Real Estate but it goes above and beyond that.

Hi Phil, it feels odd to go cold turkey, like AJ said. Perhaps I need to do a better job communicating just that, no matter what, you can always contact me and I will always have time for you.

You know I love that response Tammy! It's perfect.

May 07, 2014 01:54 AM

Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA

Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Andrea, that doesn't surprise me at all. I have a feeling that you're a people collector too.

May 07, 2014 03:00 AM

Karen Feltman

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA

Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

It is a type of withdrawal after the constant contact over a few months! That is a great way to look at it. We feel a loss after we have completed our transaction and although there is always someone else to keep our attention, we do love to hear how our recently closed clients are doing in their new home! Thank you for sharing.

May 07, 2014 03:20 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I have several clients that I am still in touch with. Yes, the daily emails, then it slows down while heading towards the closing table. Always bitter sweet.

May 07, 2014 05:58 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Andrea, a few years back, a woman started crying at the closing. She had lost her grown son a year earlier and she and her husband were moving here to be closer to her daughter and grandkids. She was so emotional. All three of us started crying. I keep in touch and yes she calls me. Closings can be a bittersweet time.

May 07, 2014 09:23 AM

Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

It's so much and then nothing. Client withdrawal symptom describes it perfectly.

May 07, 2014 10:24 AM

Evelyn Johnston

Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN

The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Clients do have a way of becoming long term relationships, for both the Agent and the Client...

May 07, 2014 11:58 AM

Michelle Francis

Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA

Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Andrea,

We encourage continued calls! There definitely is a withdrawal at closing that is a bit depressing (more for some clients than others:-)

We also are happy to be a continued resourse. Many buyers need folks to help them do items around the house they just bought. We've got great vendors we use regularily that I am happy to share.

I love seeing past clients and catching up. What is even better is the number that become friends.

All the best, Michelle

May 07, 2014 10:57 PM

Morris Massre

Pembroke Pines, FL

Real Estate Instructor Broward County Florida

If he or she wants to continue communicating with you than you must have done somehting right.

May 08, 2014 01:02 AM

Andrea Bedard

Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD

Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Thank you Mike!

I find myself missing that interaction Karen, I like how AJ described it, it feels similar to a break-up.

It's wonderful when a client turns into a good friend Carla.

Doesn't it Jill?!

Long-term relationships Evelyn, I'll always have time for my past clients and love catching up with them.

That's true Michelle. I touched base with a past client earlier this year who told me about some issue she ran into with her HOA. I asked her why she didn't just call me?! It didn't occur to her that I may be able to help. I need to do a better job of communicating that... I'm there for you, settlement and beyond!

I like to think I did a lot right Morris

May 08, 2014 12:33 PM

Bill Reddington

Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL

Destin Florida Real Estate

Always great when a past client calls. If I am in an area I see a past client outside I will stop and say Hi. Great Follow-up.

May 09, 2014 01:25 PM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Andrea~ Isn't that a great feeling?! There are a few clients that we stay in regular contact with and not just because we want their business, or referrals.

May 10, 2014 12:52 PM