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Leaving A Card Can Lead to Business...

Please leave a card... How many times have you been told by the listing agent to please leave a card when you show a property? I've heard it countless time, so much so that I keep extra cards in my eKey pouch so that when I open the lock box to a property I pull out the card and deposit it on the closets surface I can find.

What happends two years after you leave a business card in a vacant house that you showed? You get a phone call to list that home, why because you are the only REALTOR that left a business card when it was for sale then. No listing appointment, no sales pitch, just a call to see when you can meet to sign the paperwork.

Your business card is a mini-billboard... Treat it like one!

It's that simple... Please leave a card.

Lake Mary Real Estate

Debbie Summers, Lake Mary REALTOR, ALHS, e-PRO

407-758-1020 or Debbie@MoveToLakeMary.com

Search for Homes For Sale in Lake Mary & Seminole County, Florida

Posted by Debbie Summers - MoveToLakeMary.com or 407-758-1020 on 01/24/2009 08:46 AM

Comments (39)

active rain, business cards, realtors

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39 Comments on Leaving A Card Can Lead to Business...

JAN

I know that, but still, yesterday in my tour of vacant homes I ran out of cards, forgot to stock up before leaving. AAaaaarrrggghhhhh!

Debbie - you're absolutely right! It helps promote you and your company. We love seeing a swarm of cards from the agents in our company.

It is always wise to take every opportunity to leave a card. Keeping cards in your ekey holder - good idea, never thought of this.

The only downside is every Listing Realtor then has your email to add you to their mailing list....

Wow, this happened to us last year. I left my card in a home where the seller had moved out. When the listing expired, the seller called me out of the blue because she knew I showed her home and saw my card on the counter. I also always write "thank you, you have a beautiful home" on the card that I leave as well, and in this case it was a great home, just not staged well and over-priced. We listed and sold her home in about 45 days ( full price offer ), got a great buyer lead off a sign call from this home, and also sold a rental property that this seller owned. That card led to over $1,000,000 in additional sales volume, not to mention a very happy client who will tell everyone about us. Needles to say, I will never run out of cards. Thanks for the post Debbie.

Like you, I follow what is requested. I got a listing after it had expired with another Realtor once because I had shown the home 3 times to different people and the sellers felt I could promote the home. I simply signed in. Good luck!

I need to defientely start making a better effort of leaving a business card! I have never thought of it this way. I always was told to leave one so the homeowner would know that you have been there and gone. The first time I did it I had the homeowners call me to ask me how the showing went! I thought I am never going to leave my card again....but now that I hear this...I am thinking I am going to start leaving them again!

Thanks

Leslie

Hi Debbie. Right on.

I have yet to get business from leaving a card, but...

Sellers deserve to know that a Realtor did indeed show their home after they clear out.

Thanks for writing,

Ken

Debbie

The simple things get over looked sometimes. Some of my listings come form just walking on the same block that a new listing went up follow the top agents and the resolutes will be great.

Debbie - great point for reminding us to leave our card. Also, I leave mine because it is proper etiquette as well.

What a great reminder of the power of those little cards! Thanks!

Debbie I ahve had the same thing happen to me a couple of times over the years. Another good one is to leave your business card with the tip when you go to a restaurant.

Thank you everyone for the great comments...

I wish I could respond to each and every comment, but I've been struggling with pain in my hand... The worst part is, is that it is from typing. I'm in trouble... but, I'm trying to follow orders and limiting my time on the keyboard... Blog post to follow!

Great idea. I think the business card is just common courtesy when you show the property anyway.

Another thing I have been doing is putting business-card magnets on the refrigerator of all my vacant property listings. That way whoever buys my house has a little permenant reminder of me left behind.

Bill... I do that! It works too!

Great advice. Just like you never know whose reading your blog you never know whose going to pick up your card.

WOW - great reminder. Congrats on the listing - isn't it nice when one comes "easily"?

It is simple, and it is true that most realtors don't do it. Our cards are an extension of ourselves, and are the reminder when we're not there, in person.

Every card that the potential to grow into future business. Thanks for the valuable reminder.

Thanks Debbie for such a great point. It is not common practice in my area for buyers agents to leave business cards, so really never saw a reason to do so. Your posting has opened my eyes to see how I can be ahead of the competition.

Li - Our cards should be an extension of ourselves... I have a new post coming about my new business card design... It rocks!

It's called a Business Card for a reason... It's not just a medium to have someone contact you... You need to get business from your card.

Debbie congrats on that. I will say I am bad about doing it. I was told a supersition thing about it and while IM not I rarely leave my card of course Im bad about refilling them in my business which might be the real cause.

Great reminder. You just never know where that little card may wind up.

Great reminder for us all. As far as Bill's suggestion- that is a great idea also, just make sure the tip is a good one!!

I have been thinking of this quite frequently. I read a post about it somewhere and try to remember to do it all the time now! Great re-iterator Debbie, hope you hand is feeling better soon! KM

JAN

Thanks again for all the great comments and interaction... I just received my newly designed Business Cards and I'm busily giving them out - they truly are an extension of me.

Debbie,

That's really cool. People will take any known avenue on their first call. If they have your card your it, regardless if they know you. Bravo!

Richard

I think it's just plain unprofessional and cheap when an agent does not leave a card.

JAN

Debbie-You are so right, I always leave a card.

Leaving a Business card is important if the seller has left in order for you to preview the home. They will know you were there. I hand out my cards at every opportunity.

How simple and how often we forget--thank you for the reminder.

Debbie - I hope your wrist (?) is doing well!! Are you on facebook? I have been looking for you there? KM

JAN

I remember to leave a card, and I have gotten several clients because of that.

JAN

I just got another call this week from a guy who has had his house listed over 400 days and because I showed the now vacant home on 3 different occassions to 3 different buyers, he is ready to list with me. I suppose that it was because everytime I showed it I left a card...

Hi Debbie, exactly! Why keep it a secret that you're a Realtor is my thought. You should have them with you and finding all the opportunities to give them out. I like Bill's idea - awesome :) ~Anne Marie

That's a great story - congratulations! Hope you can sell it.

FEB

Thank you everyone for the really great comments... Just received a call from someone who has a business card that is over 3 years old from when I was with another company - still the same cell# and they tracked me down...

Give away as many as you can - you will never know when they will come back to you.

FEB

That is so cool... I've not yet had that experience ... maybe I should start dumping cards in more places.

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