Closing is the End, Or Is It? 

Some think closing is the end of the transaction. 

The buyers have a new home.

The sellers are no longer the homeowners. Everybody gets paid (depending on the transaction).

The deal is done. 

Not so fast. 

On several occasions in the last year I have had calls from clients weeks or months after they purchased a new home, and the call went something like "I bet you thought you were done with us." There have been requests for information, documents they couldn't find, problems with the homes, help with vendor needs, and more. No doubt you have experienced the same and have dealt with it accordingly. 

I like having this happen since it means they haven't forgotten me. Yet. 

I wonder... 

How often ARE agents done with their clients when the transaction closes? 

If clients feel that once the deal has closed and we have been paid that we will disappear into the sunset..  

The closing should be a transition to a new stage of the relationship with the buyer, or seller, NOT the end. We may be through with them in terms of the formal transaction, but we are not really through with them. Unless we really want to be. We are responsible for the next phase in the relationship.

Staying in touch with past clients is important, at least if we have hope of getting a referral or assisting them again in a future move. But it's often not done, or at least not consistently. So often we see sellers list a home with someone other than the buyer agent, who is still around, that helped them buy the home. 

There are lots of ways to stay in touch: 

• personal calls
• newsletters - snail and email
• stop-bys
• market updates
• holiday, birthday, anniversary of purchase, other special occasion cards
• client appreciation events
• list of vendors for those you know plan to remodel
• copy of HUD-1 for next year's taxes
• reminder about property taxes or requesting a re-assessment annually
• reminder about renewing Home warranty 

Have you finished with your clients when the transaction closes and they have moved out, or in? 

More importantly, do THEY have the impression you ARE done with them? 

What are you doing to show that this is just the next phase of your relationship, not the end of a great time?

 

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, the housing market, or otherwise assist you, friends or family in a home search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JeffDowlerSolutions@gmail.com

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