Special offer

Did You Write Your Thank You Notes Today?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Did You Write Your Thank You Notes Today?

 

I closed on another property today and sent several thank you notes out the door, as I always do, to people who helped make this such a pleasurable transaction. There was no lender involved, but a couple of people at escrow, the listing agent, and his transaction coordinator all played a significant role in this process and helped to make it go smoothly.

 

branded note card stationeryI use card stationery and envelopes that are personally branded, but also purchase other thank you cards to use for different occasions.

 

I also create some of my own note cards for various uses – more on that in a moment.

 

Whatever the reason or style of card, I know handwritten thank you cards are appreciated by whoever receives them. You enjoy getting them, don’t you?

 

In our age of email, texting, voice mail, and mass produced newsletters and postcards, I believe handwritten notes play an even bigger role, and I know others here on AR do as well. I write notes weekly, for closings as well as for other business reasons, to thank people in a variety of ways.

 

If you are not taking advantage of the power of a handwritten thank you note, here are a few ways you can use them:

 

·        A note to a vendor involved in the transaction

·        A thank you to an escrow or title person for their assistance

·        A thank you to the buyer’s lender

·        A note of appreciation to the agent on the other side of the transaction

·        Coupled with a gift, perhaps, a special thank you to the client for the pleasure of doing business with them and best wishes in their new home, or on the sale of their home

 

And of course your notes do not have to be a Thank You!

 

A personal handwritten note shows you care or are thinking about someone. Or perhaps you want to include an article or other information that may be of interest to them. A handwritten note might also include an introduction to someone they might be interested in meeting, a vendor, or an upcoming event they might like.

 

The personal nature of a handwritten note takes your thank you, and your caring, to a far higher level, and it will be remembered, and you will also.

 

It’s not about what the card looks like, or how fancy it is, but that you took time to say thank you in a very personal way.

 

I mentioned that I make some of my own note cards. Credit for this idea must be given to friend and fellow Rainer, Kathy Schowe . I was the recipient of several of her beautiful note cards several years ago, found out what she did and where she ordered the stationery, and implemented the idea. You can also check out her luxury note cards Facebook page and even purchase cards from her!

 

I use my handmade cards, with photos I particularly like printed on 4” x 6” photo paper, for Thank You notes or just staying in touch.

 

Another significant way I’ve used them is by making 4 or 5 note cards with a photo of the new homeowner’s home so they can share the new address with special people in their lives to let them know about their new home. Like Kathy does, I use high-quality vellum card stock, each in a plastic envelope, and brand the back of each card only with my name.

 

personalize homeowner cards

 

Are you using hand written notes? If you aren’t, you should…even if your writing is not the best. It’s not hard to do and the more you write the easier it becomes. I’m still working on using them more and more as I come up with more uses for them.


Any thoughts?

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


Call or Text
(760) 840-1360

Email Me

Enjoy the beach life in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas,
San Marcos & other
North San Diego County coastal
& inland communities

Buy - Sell - Invest - Second Homes  

     

About Me

My Blog

My Website

  Jeff Dowler's Facebook Profile  Jeff Dowler's YouTube Profile    Jeff Dowler's LinkedIn Profile

 

Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

William Feela  - good for you! Client and others will remember those thank you's and gifts

Joe Pryor  - I think "gold standard" IS the right way to think about it. And it's just not done all that often...although there are clearly plenty of people here on AR who do this, base on these comments

Jeff

Oct 16, 2016 07:05 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint  - my friend it's time to do this!! Start small - a card here and there to start getting in the habit.

Beth Atalay  - thank you! I've poor handwriting used as an excuse to not send TY cards.  Glad you don't. Who cares if it's not the best writing - people will appreciate the thought!

Jeff

Oct 16, 2016 07:07 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy Streib  - I am still working on sending more of them. And I enjoy making the cards, and it's pretty easy. I have plenty of photos I use for other cards I make - I'm thinking I may need to pay someone to put together a hundred or so for me!

Jeff

Oct 16, 2016 07:10 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Dorie Dillard  - I never miss a closing (and of course buyers and sellers) but still working on adding more to my repertoire. I also send out holiday cards, anniversary in the house cards, Mother's Day and Father's Day cards, and Thanksgiving Cards.

Jeff

Oct 16, 2016 07:13 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Paula McDaniel  - it would be a shame for that to happen. I enjoy writing them and it doesn't take long

Thank you Lou Ludwig Yes, it's part of the plan, but also just a nice thing to do. I send notes after parties we attend, when we have had dinner with friends, etc.

Jeff

Oct 16, 2016 07:28 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I am a big fan of handwritten notes, so you are preaching to the choir with me.

Oct 16, 2016 08:24 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jeff,just a couple weeks ago Diane and I received a card from my lender and we discussed it is time to get back and sending these cards again, Endre

Oct 16, 2016 11:52 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Jeff... at the end of a transaction, I write thank you notes to all... my client, my cooperating broker, my paralegal, my inspector, etc. So few people do this and it's such an impactful gesture. I know, because I rarely receive a note and when I do I remember.

Oct 16, 2016 04:22 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland

Great Post. It is nice to thank everyone especially since they are not expecting it since most people don't take the time to do that.

Oct 16, 2016 10:02 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Jeff. I am a big proponent of everything hand written. It is different today and always meaningful.

Oct 16, 2016 10:40 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

We do write notes everyday, some thanks and some just checking in, and it really sets up the day on a positive note (no pun intended).  A heart filled with appreciation and gratitude starts the day on the right foot. 

Oct 17, 2016 12:52 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I have produced photo cards on high-quality vellum cardstock for years. I use them to reach out to expired/withdrawn listings. I once was contacted by an expired seller who had received my card. She asked if I would produce two dozen cards for her personal use. Of  course, she offered to pay me. She wasn't interested in using me as a real estate agent but liked my cards. I declined. I'm not a print shop.

Oct 17, 2016 01:29 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Kathy Schowe - It was my pleasure. They are such a great idea and it's been fun creating my own, although mine do not compare to your luxury cards. Glad youy have been getting some inquiries!

That's what I've heard, Praful Thakkar . Hope you are sending them all each month

Jeff

Oct 17, 2016 06:59 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor,CRS  - ha ha, well you never know. I send about half that many in total!

Shanna Day Team Leader (AZ & UT)  - good for you. Bit by bit works

Lynn B. Friedman  - that's a cool idea. I check it out. PERSONAL mkes such a difference, and it's thoughtful!

Jeff

Oct 17, 2016 07:03 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Gita Bantwal  - thank YOU. I hope you will write some.

James Dray  - it's never to late to start a new good habit, right?

Debbie Gartner  - I hope so. But I like sayin thank you in this way regardless

Thank you Sham Reddy 

Jeff

Oct 17, 2016 07:14 AM
Melissa Spittel
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Westminster, MD
"Achieving Results Together "

Ever since I took Brian Buffini's "Peak Producers", I write hand-written notes. Goes a long ways nowadays.

Oct 17, 2016 11:31 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Jeff, so very VERY smart! And it feels good. They've proven over and over again that something that is hand-written received in the mail will be opened before any other piece of mail. 

LONG ago I learned the power of the handwritten thank you card! I have a photo that I use for my website of Fishhawk Lake and have notecards made with my own photo of fall at Fishhawk Lake through Zazzle and it has Congratulations! written on the front. On the inside it says, 

You are now one of my neighbors! Remember to relax and enjoy~Your  REALTOR® and friend, Gayle 

I designed it. 

I add an extra hand-written little personal note to it as well. On the back I have a small photo I took of a rainbow (another one of my signature photos) and my name and phone number. 

The consistency of seeing this photo on my business card, my website and my notecards really helps, I think.

I do want to venture out and do more notecards with my photos--I love using Zazzle! I've done a ton of cool stuff on there, from mugs and eraserboards to clocks and printed photos on wood--even some of my pictures on leggings!! 

Oct 17, 2016 12:02 PM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

Jeff Dowler "The personal nature of a handwritten note takes your thank you, and your caring, to a far higher level, and it will be remembered, and you will also...It’s not about what the card looks like, or how fancy it is, but that you took time to say thank you in a very personal way."

Right on target - and - re-blog!

Oct 19, 2016 10:54 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Jeff Dowler - Congratulations on the Feature! I saw this from Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers reblog.  I agree with you. Who doesn't like to get a hand written card? I will be doing more cards moving into 2017.  Thanks for the reminder. 

Oct 19, 2016 11:37 PM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Thanks for the suggestions, I need to be more diligent about writing thank you notes!

Oct 20, 2016 01:39 AM