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5 Mistakes that Ruin Real Estate Relationships Before They Start

By
Real Estate Technology with IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that we often discuss the importance of building meaningful real estate relationships, establishing your Sphere of Influence and staying in touch with your past clients.  Repeat and referral business are so valuable and achieved through what? You guessed it: relationships.

Building quality relationships comes naturally to some people, but for many Realtors it can be a challenge. Especially when you’re scrambling to complete paperwork, prepare for a listing presentation, host an open house, and balance your personal life.

In the midst of everything on your to-do list, are you still able to form meaningful real estate relationships that you can nurture to grow into happy lifetime clients? Or are you making errors that ruin your professional relationships before they even begin?

Let’s go over 5 mistakes that Realtors make that can potentially ruin your relationships with leads, and how to avoid making these errors.

Mistake 1: You don’t keep notes on your contacts.

For years I relied on my memory alone for storing important details about my friends, colleagues, and network of acquaintances. But after a couple of memory faux pas, I realized I needed to be more diligent about keeping notes to help me keep details straight so I can have more authentic conversations with people by recalling past conversations and information they’ve shared with me.

Keeping notes about your past clients and prospects in your real estate CRM will help you have more meaningful conversations when you connect. Are you keeping notes about family details, pets, milestones and more? This lets you connect with your contacts better on a one-on-one level and build stronger relationships. Your contacts will feel valued and be impressed that you care enough to remember information they’ve shared with you!

Mistake 2: You don’t say happy birthday.

Birthdays are an ideal opportunity to reach out to a real estate lead or past client, are you taking advantage? Almost everyone I know likes to be remembered on their Birthday. Make a habit of sending a note or calling a contact on their Birthday or the anniversary of their home purchase.

While a note on Facebook is nice, it’s not as powerful as actually reaching out to your contact on the phone and connecting with them. Take this chance to wish someone well, it’s a natural way to keep your name fresh in the mind of your prospects. Even better, it’s surprisingly easy to do! IXACT Contact will remind you when a special day is coming up, so you can send your well wishes.

Mistake 3: You aren’t sending a monthly e-Newsletter.

Unfortunately, one of the primary reasons clients don’t re-use the same Realtor is simply because they’ve forgotten their name! How do you prevent this from happening to you? Send a monthly e-Newsletter full of valuable information to keep your name top of mind with your network.

Sending out regular communications helps establish you as an active, knowledgeable real estate professional, so when your contacts are ready to buy or sell, it’s you they’ll think of. Your name and your contact information will be conveniently in their email inbox!

Mistake 4: You take too long to reply.

We live in a society that expects fast results. If a potential new client or referral contacts you, whether it’s via email, phone call, or a lead generation form from your real estate website, you need to make sure you follow-up as quickly as possible. A study from Properties Online found that the majority of home sellers expect a response from their agent within 30 minutes of making an inquiry.

That’s why IXACT Contact sends you an immediate email alert and offers you the ability to automatically add prospects coming in through a contact form on your website to your database, while also instantly sending them a message to let them know you will touch base with them shortly.

Mistake 5: You don’t act as a well of knowledge.

When a prospect has a question related to home-ownership, it makes sense that they would reach out to a Realtor for an answer. This is good news for you, as it helps you remain top of mind and stay in touch with your lead.

If you aren’t able to provide your contacts with the information they’re looking for, they may seek it elsewhere. If your contacts need a resource, whether it’s a referral for a home inspector, a mortgage lender or a contractor, you should be able to provide it. Take the time to build relationships with service providers in your area. Continue to build your business directory and prove to your clients that you’re a well-connected expert they can depend on.

Takeaways

Nurturing leads and building valuable real estate relationships can take time. Not every lead is a “hot lead” and some require longer-term development. Encourage your leads to thrive by building relationships with them over time.

Building these relationships doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right tools, you will not only avoid making the mistakes I mentioned above, you’ll be using automation to strengthen relationships while saving time.

Start your free 5 week free trial of IXACT Contact and avoid making real estate relationship mistakes that could cost you commissions.

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Call us at 1-866-665-0018 or email us at info@ixactcontact.com.

 

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Comments (8)

Ingrid Pierson
Wesely & Associates - Auburn, CA
Making Friends & Helping Friends with Real Estate

Nicely written and on target.  Thanks for sharing this information.  It's always goo to have remeinders...

Nov 03, 2016 04:10 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Thanks Ingrid Pierson! Glad you enjoyed it. 

Nov 03, 2016 04:25 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Such an essential post...and a reminder to all of us to be paying attention to each of these categories.   It is about "being there" in a meaningful way.

Nov 03, 2016 04:14 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

It's an honor to have a post called "essential"! Thank you Li Read

Nov 03, 2016 04:25 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Rich Gaasenbeek - My newsletter just went out this morning!  I am getting an assistant to help me with all the input.  I am way behind - but I realize how important it is. Thanks for the tips.

Nov 03, 2016 04:47 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Awesome Sheri Sperry - MCNE®! Love to hear that! 

Nov 03, 2016 05:14 AM
Sharon Kolb
Atlanta Decatur Homes - Atlanta, GA
Broker - Atlanta Decatur Homes

Hi Rich - such good advice we forget to follow.  Thanks for the reminder!

Nov 03, 2016 06:20 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Thanks for reading Sharon Kolb

Nov 03, 2016 06:54 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Rich Gaasenbeek Thanks for the tips on list of mistakes can ruin real estate relationship.

Nov 03, 2016 08:35 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Thanks for your comment John Pusa 

Nov 03, 2016 11:49 PM
Ann Wilkins
Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty - Oakland, CA
Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont CA

Excellent post.  I started sending out birthday card with a $5 Starbucks card.  At the end of last year it gave me a reason to call all my past clients and get their birthday information.

Nov 03, 2016 03:15 PM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Love the idea of sending a Starbucks card, Ann Wilkins

Nov 03, 2016 11:50 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

I like all this advice of trusted advisor close contact and quick communication. It sets you apart from the rest.

Nov 04, 2016 12:27 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Thanks Gary Woltal. It's all about standing out! 

Nov 04, 2016 12:48 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Excellent list of what to do to retain business!

Nov 07, 2016 10:51 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek

Thanks for reading Jan Green 

Nov 07, 2016 10:07 PM