Referral Sources?

David, One of my RE/MAX Clients builds her referral database directly from the RE/MAX Roster. But before an agent is added, he or she must meet a certain criteria

Here are some of her checks:

1. Does the agent offer referrals
2. Website Content
3. Service Types
4. Number of Listings over a period of time
   
5. Testimonials
6. Response time from website
7. Response time from personal email sent
8. Response time from phone message
9. Did the agent answer the phone professionally

Of course, there are more question but I thought I would list a few to start.

I participate in a couple of other online forums and have made a number of Realtor friends there; they're usually my first choice for referrals.

After that I start going through the CRS directory, the ABR directory, and the e-PRO one.

I usually call my referral choice up first and talk to them before asking if they will accept my referral.

I thought you don't work on the weekends? What are you doing writing blogs on your day off?

Chaz

Chaz,

I think David is after the points.. He`s addicted.:)

Yup...He's points addicted..lol

I think AR should be added to the list, now that you will actually be able to see the person's pic, learn about their thought process and see their enthuasism or lack there of...

Scott

Hello A/R-aholics,

Quick definition of CRS for the non-realtors who love A/R and all of your blogs please.

Working on weekends is one reason I made it this far.  I can't resource this for you but I remember reading that 9 out of 10 mortgage brokers or loan officers fail in this business and I am that lucky and fortunate 1 out of 10 that made it.  I remember being around heavy hitters in my Washington Mutual Bank office and they would not dare talk to any clients or business partners (realtors) on weekends and they did not want to be bothered.  Not me, single guy, energetic guy, professional, corporate background in Marketing and I know that you always have to be there for your business partners and clients.  I make myself available 7 days a week.  I am highly respected and liked by my biz partners/clients.

Always,

Nima

http://www.MyNima.com

We start with people we know (and like and respect) personally (generally in person but also online), then to groups like CyberStars and CyberPros, then to CRS and RE/MAX and rarely have to go beyond that.

With agents we don't know personally, they must have an e-mail, they must have a web site, we look at designations, area served, type of property, what their website says, and then talk with them personally to get a sense of their personality, competence, compatability with our client. We often send out an e-mail asking them to phone us regarding a potential referral - if they don't respond, on to the next, especially for our clients (almost all of them) who expect e-mail communication.

Sharon and others,

Do you see the email address as being a factor in the decision making process?

Meaning, I have seen a lot of agents over the past year with a personal email address (Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN, Cox, Comcast, Earthlink, gMail, etc) and not a business email address, one that ends in their domain name and not one like wesellforyou@yahoo.com, topagent@hotmail.com or something along that line.