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Congratulations on your new home! My work here is done...NOT!

By
Real Estate Agent with Las Cruces Homes and Land

The inspections have been done, papers have been signed and you have the keys to your new home in your hand. Movers are coming and you are busy getting settled into your new home, new neighborhood and, quite possibly, your new community. Your REALTOR® has called to make sure everything is ok and to check and see if you need anything else. You are probably thinking, "Well, we don't need anything from her anymore!"

WRONG.

Even though our business has concluded, your agent can still be a great wealth of information for you. I always tell my buyers, "Just because the deal is done doesn't mean I stop being there if you need anything. Please call me and let me know if you need anything." Thankfully, many have called with what they call "little questions" like "What was that phone number for the guy who came out to inspect the pool?" or "Can you recommend a good vet?". 

The part of the job after the deal is done is continuing to be your advocate and helper...especially when the scammers start showing up. Yes, unfortunately, chances are you will get a letter in the mail, saying that "XYZ Company can help you get the deed to your home" (That's a real scam) or "As a new homeowner, call this number for a no-obligation home security system check" (actual scam) or more. Trust me - there are plenty out there. Some of them will be pretty obvious, others sound quite legitimate.

When you get these letters/emails or even phone calls, and you aren't sure if it's legit or not, pick up your phone and call your agent to ask. We get alerts via email from our companies regarding the latest scams and shams. They are counting on you to be 'winging it' and 'not wanting to bug your agent with post closing questions'. This is especially true if you are a first time homebuyer of mine. PICK UP THE PHONE AND ASK!!

We're here.

(PS: The Home Deed scam, as I said, is real. You don't need to pay $75, $100 or more for a copy of your home deed. You can get that at your County Recorder for a cost of as little as a buck a page.)

Comments(39)

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

Agreed Emmy.  I get calls and emails from my buyers LONG after they have closed on their new home.  It's just part of that connection I make with them during the process.  

Aug 29, 2012 09:24 PM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

I love it when my clients want to call me first when they have a question and am a little sad when they gradually become acclimated and ween themselves off.

Aug 29, 2012 10:03 PM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I always encourage my clients to call me on any real estate questions going forward to protect against scams.

Aug 29, 2012 10:37 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

It is part of the long term relationship we all try to develop with clients.... a resource for life!

Aug 29, 2012 11:21 PM
Monica Hill
RE/Max Associates - Wilmington, DE
the REALTOR to help you discover Delaware

Great words of encouragement for new owners. Keep in touch with your Realtor with any questions. Good Realtors welcome those. I even build emails around the questions and share them will all my clients (names withheld). I also send out hints and updates to past clients so it encourages continued dialogue. I'd far rather get the "I hate to bother you" call before they've made a fateful decision. Great post!

Aug 29, 2012 11:24 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Emmary, very good point! An agent can be a very good resource long after the closing. Funny how the scammers seem to come out of the woodwork.

Aug 29, 2012 11:27 PM
Vanessa Saunders
Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY
Real Estate | Done Differently

Clients for life means just that. I have found that a real estate business relationship often leads to a warmer and more meaningful bond well beyond the conference table.

In my opinion it's one of the top perks of this profession!

Aug 29, 2012 11:30 PM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

I enjoy helping folks as they settle into the community. The calls that scare me are when they ring me up AFTER signing some bogus agreement.

Aug 29, 2012 11:35 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Emmary- Great post! The home deed scam is alive and well here. I always tell my clients if they receive something in the mail and aren't sure about it to just give me a call. Going to closing is never the end of the relationship.

Aug 30, 2012 12:01 AM
Donald Hester
NCW Home Inspections, LLC - Wenatchee, WA
NCW Home Inspections, LLC

Emmary, Great advice. I do the same once I perform an inspection. I want my client to have a resource to help them with their investment. Like you I can usually steer them to the appropriate parties to take care of them.

Aug 30, 2012 12:34 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Once buyers are in their new home, the relationship isn't over, it just changes to being a resource for information about the community, housing, etc. I encourage those calls, or will make them myself periodically.

Aug 30, 2012 12:50 AM
Dorte Engel
RE/MAX Leading Edge - Bowie, MD
ABC - Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton & rest of Maryland

Dear Emmary,

So true. I also have requests for CMAs, when people want to refinance & many other little issues.

Aug 30, 2012 02:49 AM
Joe LaVallie
HomeStreet Bank - Mountlake Terrace, WA
111363

Every phone call is an opportunity to ask for a referral.

 

Aug 30, 2012 03:50 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I am always there for follow up for my clients.  Thanks for the post.

Aug 30, 2012 04:06 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

If we want to be their agent for life, we need to be there long after the sale.

Aug 30, 2012 04:22 AM
Sharon Sanchez
Ace Home Realty - Carson, CA
Your Number "1" Source For Real Estate.

Hi Emmary.  Although the homeowner will receive a free copy of their recorded Deed of Trust in 1 to 2 months after they close, the deed scam is still alive and well here also.

Aug 30, 2012 04:54 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Emmary, as soon as we close, they get marked as a past client in our database and go on a past client follow up plan.

Aug 30, 2012 07:17 AM
Arizona Home Group RE/MAX Excalibur
The Arizona Home Group - Scottsdale, AZ

I couldn't agree more!!! Another reminder I love to tell my buyers is to remember to always check with their home warranty on ANY problem that comes up (minor or major) before calling a repair man. There is so much going on at the time of purchase many buyers forget they have home warranties or what exactly they cover. If they call me first I always remind them to check and 9 times out of 10, it is something that's covered and they thank me for saving them a big repair fee. A good agent is there forever, not just till the close! 

Aug 30, 2012 11:56 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Emmary, this is good information for buyers.  There are so many unscrupulous people lurking around. I always tell my clients that they can call me anytime and I stay in touch with them to reassure them that I am available. 

Aug 31, 2012 08:14 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Equity Union - Calabasas, CA
REALTOR® | Residential & Commercial

I love sending a beautiful card as soon as the escrow is closed with something like this:

''Sending you warm wishes, as you get settled in into your new little corner in the world. So happy for you!''

May 02, 2014 04:55 PM