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Ralph's Helpful Tips: Make sure you load your buyers up with business cards for open houses

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Metro Life Homes RS-78439 / BRE #01708344

Ralph's Helpful Tips:  Make sure you load your buyers up with business cards for open houses

One thing you can NEVER have too many of is business cards.  You really should be going through them like water.  Why?  Because each card that is floating around out there is just one more marketing piece that is reminding everyone around that YOU are the go-to person in real estate.

When working with buyers in the property viewing and discovery stage, don't skimp out on business cards and make sure you load your buyers up with at least 15-25 business cards.  And if they run out, give them 15-25 more!!

Not only for the obvious reasons of possible referrals, but you and I both know that there are some unscrupulous agents out there who will try and "assimilate" your clients at open houses.

Give your buyers specific instructions to hand your card to the listing agent or agent that is holding the home open, and have them state that they are working with YOU.

And if you have the opportunity, on occasion when you simply cannot be there at the same time as your clients yet they are motivated to get out there to some open houses, find out which open houses they want to see and place a kind phonecall or email message to the listing agent and let them know your clients love the home, let them know they will be there at the open house, and provide the agent with your clients first names.

This will avoid any "mishaps" or "misunderstandings"  (I'm feeling rather democratic today so I am using vague descriptives in quotes rather than any nasty adjectives......ah-hem!)

Each week I'll have a Helpful Tip posted for you to incorporate into your repertoire of savvy real estate professional techniques.

If you'd like to join our group, click here:  http://activerain.com/groups/ralphshelpfultips

 

Comments(13)

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Ralph, you have a great perspective on Business Cards  ("each card that is floating around out there is just one more marketing piece").

Also, great advice about Open Houses.   If you can train the Buyer to hand the card to the "Other Agent" as they walk in the door, you reduce your chances of having said Buyer "assimilated".

Jan 24, 2012 06:29 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Well said...this is the most inexpensive way to capture our clients...and to keep them!   Well said!

Jan 24, 2012 06:33 AM
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Real Estate Faster - Los Angeles, CA

Great tip! Simple and practical!

Jan 24, 2012 06:52 AM
Steven Cook
No Longer Processing Mortgages. - Tacoma, WA

Ralph -- what a great way to help your clients "remember" they are working with you, even if they are seeing houses without you being there.  You are right, that business cards can be very useful in getting your name out in the community.  Who knows you may even end up with some other agents wanting to work in your office.

Jan 24, 2012 07:22 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Ok....you've reminded me that I need to order more cards. I'm on it. :)

Jan 24, 2012 08:12 AM
Kathryn Acciari
Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA
Mortgage Loan Originator

Most of the time buyers will be relieved to be able to hand your card over to the listing agent, rather than sign their own name and be bothered by phone calls. 

Jan 24, 2012 12:12 PM
Christine Hooks
Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ
Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

You have just reminded me how I used to put 25 cards, wrapped in a pretty (coldwell banker) blue ribbon in the hands of each of my clients.  I need to begin this practice again!  Thank you.

Jan 24, 2012 02:57 PM
David Artigliere
Reading, Pottstown, Norristown, Philadelphia - Collegeville, PA
ARTI Home Inspections, ASHI Certified Home Inspect

Sounds so simple but I bet a lot of agents don't think about it!  Great tip on getting buyers geared up for Open Houses!

Jan 24, 2012 03:34 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

really good point ralph. Sometimes we forget the little things...that we all know we should be doing.

Jan 25, 2012 01:50 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

We do that here too, but some agents will not show an open house to your clients without you present, even if they have your business card with them.

Jan 25, 2012 06:53 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Good morning Ralph,

Yes, business cards are key!  The funny thing is, I have tons of them, and always seem to be looking for them!!!  I am getting better at keeping them in every purse!

Jan 30, 2012 11:43 PM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Ralph, when I hand out a handful of cards to my clients, I tell them it's "shark repellent."  They can use them to keep those predatory sharks away by simply saying here's "MY AGENT'S" card.  It also implants further in their mind that I am their agent.  And, it always brings a chuckle to everyone.  

Feb 04, 2012 02:57 AM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Juli,

That's a great line!

I may have to borrow it some time.

Feb 04, 2012 03:55 AM