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WE SHOULD SELL HOMES LIKE HE SELLS FLOWERS

By Paula Swayne

Real Estate Agent with Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 CalBRE # 01188158

August 22, 2010 07:06 AM

My daughters and I regularly enjoy a local famer's market. It is just hard to beat the quality of the fresh food and the very reasonable prices.

One of my favorite stops is the flower booth of one particular vendor. Now, there are several flower vendors there and they all sell pretty much the same flowers. Why, then, do I loyally go back each and every time to him?

He doesn't just sell his flowers - he romances his flowers. He also makes me feel special. Once in a while, when he is running low of my favority tuber roses, he saves me the last bunch. Last week he made sure to hold 2 bouquets for me. He gave my granddaughters each a beautiful stalk of gladiolas. He always wears a smile. By his demeanor, he makes you feel like he never has a bad day...he's the kind of person you want to be around.

We should sell homes this way. We should romance the homes we show. We should make our clients feel special...like they are the only clients we have at the moment. We should reflect a positive attitude that makes them feel that they have chosen the best REALTOR. We should listen...really listen, so we know when we have found the perfect house for our buyers.

And let's not forget, flowers have a fragrance that lasts a long time...let's hope our clients remember us like that fragrance .... a long time.

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Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker

Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX

Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

Paula, that's what's known as old school salesmanship. You make your clients feel like they are the only one's on the planet and let them know that you will do anything possible for them. Sort of like when you go in your favorite coffee shop and they know you by name, they are friendly and they know what you drink. Some will even give you a free cup of coffee AND occasionally will give you a complementary pound of coffee because they appreciate you. Will you come back? You bet. Romance your customers and clients. Forget about the hard sell and do what they want and appreciate! It will pay off handsomely over the years.... not immediately.... but in the long run and that's what it's all about isn't it?

Aug 23, 2010 03:45 AM

Claire Record

Keller Williams Realty--Boerne Hill Country - Boerne, TX

Love it, Paula... Love flowers too...so making the connection will be easy. Makes all the sense in the world. Not only should we sell the beauty of the home...but remember to take in all the aromas of the home too...like fresh baked bread or cookies...flowers growing outside the bedroom window... Thanks for the blog and the reminder!

Aug 23, 2010 03:55 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paula,

Love the sentence about romancing the flowers...romancing homes. Each home usually has a deep meaning to the seller, it would be nice to communicate that to the potential buyers.

Aug 23, 2010 03:59 AM

Jan Whitlow, ASPM

Coastal Properties Group International - Indian Rocks Beach, FL

Paula, This post made me smile - is just want I need on this rainy Tampa Bay Monday while I do inventory! We each want undivided attention and have someone shoe they care~ Thank you!

Aug 23, 2010 04:02 AM

Susan Lehmkuhl

Buy and Sell Smart Realty, LLC - Phoenix, AZ

Associate Broker

Great post. I appreciate the reminder. Sometimes we get so caught up in the harvesting we forget to stop and enjoy the beauty!

Aug 23, 2010 04:04 AM

John Juarez

The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA

ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Paula,

I love it! Next time I sell a house, it won't be only one house. It will be a bunch of houses - a bouquet! LOL!

Aug 23, 2010 04:06 AM

Sharon Lord

Maracay Homes - Peoria, AZ

New Home Advisor

Well put, Paula! I want to meet your flower vendor - sounds like a savvy businessman! Thanks for reminding us all to slow down and focus on what's important - the business - and clients - at hand!

Aug 23, 2010 04:22 AM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

Couldn't agree more Paula! We treat our clients like they are the most important people to us and we spoil them. Great post!

Your friends in Fort Wayne

Aug 23, 2010 04:32 AM

Nancy Conner

Olympia, WA

Olympia/Thurston County WA

What a great connection you make between the way this flower vendor makes you feel & your desire to create that same feeling in your real estate business. Love it!! (I'm thinking a bouquet from your flower vendor to give at closing to your client!!)

Aug 23, 2010 04:52 AM

Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Paula - great post, and title. We should always make our clients feel special.

Aug 23, 2010 04:54 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Paula, I love this analogy. We should try to romance our buyers and sellers and make them feel like they are the only clients we have. Very well said.

Aug 23, 2010 04:57 AM

Hans Bruhner

First Priority Financial - Sebastopol, CA

Sonoma County Home Loans

I like it Paula. I love the attitude and I am glad you got a reminder. We forget sometimes but the fact that you are thinking about it means you are on the right path.

I also see that you work in my old neighborhood. My wife grew up in Land Park and we moved there for several years right after we got married. Have a scoop of Jik Jak at Vic's for me will you?

Aug 23, 2010 05:15 AM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

Real Estate, flowers, crafts, The name of the game is making the client feel good. It's true in any "people" business.

Aug 23, 2010 06:05 AM

Issa Musharbash

Provident Legacy Real Estate Services - Bayonne, NJ

Delivering World Class Service

My Photo Great post Paula. Making people feel important is essential to success in any business. Seeing others feeling special and important as a result of our behaviors also brings a great since of accomplishment to us.

Aug 23, 2010 06:23 AM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Service with a smile and so much more! That's why I frequent different places when there are so many choices! Nice to se you on the front page my friend!

Aug 23, 2010 07:43 AM

Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate

Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR

Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Wow, great post, great use of language. Have a real sense of your farmers market experience and what your want the selling experience to be.

Aug 23, 2010 07:57 AM

Paula Swayne

Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA

Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Everyone!
I am overwelmed by all of your wonderful comments and where I would normally respond to you individually, I want to say a HUGE thank you for your comments and continued support! This is why I love the Rain and all of its Drips!
Paula Swayne

Aug 23, 2010 08:12 AM

Cara Pearlman

Frankly Real Estate, Inc - Bethesda, MD

Realtor - ABR, SFR

I love your analogy. You are so on point about making our clients feel special and having the experience linger with them they way a flower's fragrance does.

Aug 23, 2010 09:07 AM

Evelyn Johnston

Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN

The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Paula, you did a great job romancing all of us with your blog. You got it going on! Now do the same with your listings! Good Job!

Aug 23, 2010 02:10 PM

Karen Rice Madison AL Realtor

Keller Williams Realty Madison - Madison, AL

256-348-1527 Call/Text

Beautifully put Paula. It sounds as though your favorite flower vendor is a pleasure visit with each week.

Aug 23, 2010 03:50 PM