Real Estate Announcement Letter to Sphere - 2.0

Hi, Nattalie de la Mothe!  I am an over thinker as well, .  So I tried to make it simple and actually hand wrote my announcement letter on nice stationary to my sphere of influence, also enclosing a few of my new business cards.  I only had 147 family, friends, and acquaintances, so it was not that bad. I personalized each hand written note based on my relationship with that person. And I further stated that I bring my legal experience with me to the real estate arena. I just started this year and I have received 8 transactions from it thus far. 

You have a lot of experience buying and selling already and I know that your funny, quirky, energetic qualities will help to propel you forward.  For people like us, the over thinkers, it is important to stay on task with regard to our daily activities list. It is sooooooo easy to get bogged down and take too long on tasks because we over think it. I have done it all too often, lol.

Your intro letter looks great. Congratulations to a great start!

Natalie,

When I started in real estate, I was taught to use scripts.  That was so no me.  I felt like I was a robot and no personality.  I turned things around to fit me, to show who I am.  This has worked well for me.  

Be who you are and show everyone just that.  Everyone wants to know you, not that you are able to memorize words.

You are on the right track and continue moving forward.  Stay positive and most of all, be you.

Brigita

Here is my basic letter I send out:

My business is based on helping others in their real estate needs, using my expertise in rual and horse properties and farms.  Having over 40 years experience working with and owning horses and a farm, as well as volunteering in the horse community, I am familiar with your horses' needs.

Let’s get together (I don’t bite.  I promise.) to identify exactly how I can be of assistance to you and your horses and/or farm animals.

Check out my websites (www.cshorseproperties.com, www.RuralAndHorseProperties.com) and blog site (http://activerain.com/blogs/brigitam) to learn more about me and my company. 

Contact me at 610-393-9424 or Brigita@brigitamklv.com.

First consistence is important. Yes it should have some "you" in it but what are you trying to accomplish? You are selling real estate not "you". Granted the "you" is important to the sale but that is different.  Think about it, does someone say "gee I need a real estate agent and Natalie seems like a nice person" or do they say "she is a good agent and competent; that is what Im looking for". 

Like many things, you go overboard on being a nice person or being effective and professional you will turn someone off. Your letter needs to be relevant and establish the image you seek. But in business you are not dealing with your best friend. You are dealing with customers better still clients. I tend to be oriented to service, providing a community that my clients will operate within in.

My clients know me as a good agent that is relationship driven. I do a news letter about once every 45-90 days. I also mail cards and make phone calls. In each I try to make them aware that I know the market and the numbers by providing them information that is relevant to THEM. It may be about winter driving, or it may be about the current market. I use two pieces in mailings (statistics show that more than one piece is way more effective). One is canned but is value oriented (Stress Free Christmas, Child Proof Your Home etc. ) But then I use a cover letter that is more personal but still business oriented.

Nice thing about what we all do is it is unique to us... there is no one magic bullet. 

Sounds like you have a "thinking" problem. Just state the case as you did. Right from the get go. Hello, I know you are busy and that form letters that go on and on with the Charlie Brown's teacher "voice" of blah blah don't help either one of us. I am your local real estate professional that will work hard in your buying, selling needs. When you are ready to sell or if you know someone that is I will be ready. To pull out the stops. To sell it. To first establish the price. To fully understand, realize your time-frame. To help in the advice for getting the best price in the shortest time possible. That means a million little things need to be put into place which is why I do what I do for (number of years). We can go over it all at the kitchen table, over coffee, whatever time or place to just talk.

Selling a property starts with getting ready to market it. From clean, organize, stage your home. To what to expect along the way to the real estate closing. I'll put you in the best position for marketing your property." End it with I know you are busy, thank you for your time and hope we can connect, link up and have a life long business relationship whenever you need help. Buying, selling, trading your real estate property.

Good idea Nattalie... but being a bit of a perfectionist myself, I would warn against paralysis by analysis. And I've also found that most people don't read our communiques all that closely nor are they all that critical. When I left RE/MAX for Keller Williams, I sent out a great letter and most of my clients didn't even pick up on the fact that I was with a new company (their relationship in the end was with me). When I returned to RE/MAX I didn't bother sending out any announcements and never missed a beat and have yet almost 4 years later have a client ask me about my move.

Bob Stewart 

Here's a copy of my annual "CMA" letter to all of sphere and past clients:

Happy New Year once again! I hope the start of 2015 finds you well and happy.

I’m enclosing a copy of a 12 month sales activity review (January 2014 through December 2014) for homes in your subdivision. As you review this report, please keep in mind that the statistics contained in this report are not meant to indicate a precise market value for your home. Rather, what I’ve done here is recap all sales activity in the subdivision for the last 12 months, regardless of size of house, amenities, condition, etc.

The Charlotte area continued the housing turnaround that began in 2013 throughout 2014. Closed sales in the region were up 4.8% for the year, while average sale prices also increased 4.1% for the year. Inventory of available homes was down 14% in 2014 versus 2013.

If I can provide any additional information about activity in your community, specifically, or in the Charlotte metro area, more generally, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Meanwhile, if there’s anyone you know who might be planning to buy or sell a home and who you feel might benefit from my services, please remember to pass my name on to them! 

The time will come for you to make a decision involving a Real Estate need. I just want you to know that I am available to discuss it with no obligation to you. Until then, enjoy every moment and look forward to me helping you when ready

Getting started... the hardest step in any effort. 

If you are genuine and not scripted, that is always the best bet. I also like to include something of value, if only a link to something of interest- preferably written by you.

Nattalie de la Mothe you are well on your way to success! Reaching out and asking for ideas from experienced agents makes you a very smart gal!

Nattalie de la Mothe Do not overthink, and your postcard looks great, I have been hosting an annual Christmas Party as well as an annual Summer BBQ for almost 20 years now. I prefer to keep the real estate out of my cards as this is always personal and business always comes from it.

I am attaching my Christmas card that will go out the first week of December to over 400 friends, family and clients, the back side says, "Bring a side dish or dessert to pass, we will provide the drinks, and if you feel like bringing a gift, please bring diapers for our diaper drive or non-perishable food items to be donated to Stout Street."

Your immediate sphere of influence knows you the best. They'll see right through a bland and generic outreach. Be yourself with those you know and complete strangers. You will attract the people who you are supposed to work with. 

Here's a sphere of influence note I have sent:

---

We're friends.

As friends we share more than just a casual relationship. We also speak honestly with each other.

So- let me be so bold as to make a single pitch to you. As you know, I'm  a licensed real estate agent. Whether you're buying or selling you undoubtedly know quite a few people who can do a great job.

Did you know I have a friend and family rate?

If you're selling I'll pay for a concierge service that will clean your yard and home to make it selling ready. As a bonus- I'll work for less than full commission. Thinking of buying? Again- part of my commission will go toward paying fees.

There. A simple pitch. We can talk about this in detail at any time.

---

Note: I only send this to very good friends as well as family. (Yes- I'll work at a discount for close friends and family.) Same hard work and effort- just at a lower rate. I make sure that the discount is applied in the closing paperwork. For buyers I'll apply part of my commission to closing costs or whatever is allowable by law. For sellers I'll make my lowered commission reflected in the listing agreement.

Calling your SOI is so much better than sending them a letter.  On the phone you CAN still be your quirky fun loving self.  Just as they expect...

Nattalie de la Mothe great letter - and please don't wait for perfection - unless it is really needed.

People will read your mind and message, not necessarily the words...

The truth is every agent enters the real estate business with their SOI in the OFF POSITION !!! It is up to the Agent to proactivily TOUCH each member of Sphere's Switch and flip it to the ON POSITION so we can start receiving business and Referrals !!!

You're thinking is good on getting your message out to your sphere - these are our BEST sources for business!

Best of success to you.

Here is a letter that I sent to close friends and family:

Dear ...,

I am excited to inform you that I recently got my real estate license and have joined ( name of office ). The Broker has been in business for over 40 years . 

You already know I have personal experience in real estate because my husband and I have bought and sold many homes . This actually got me interested in getting my real estate license.

I can also use my customer service experience that I got at the bank that I worked for 6 years and my prior experience in retail industry to provide great service to my cleints.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a house I would love to be your agent. 

Call me for a , 'no obligation '  free market analysis of your home.

I have a tendency to over think too. The problem with that is that things never get done. Think progress, not perfection!