Special offer

Are You Suffering from Communication Withdrawal?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

Are You Suffering from Communication Withdrawal?

A Letter to Buyers and Sellers

 

We just closed escrow and suddenly things are very different. You sold your treasured home, or you just bought a new one!

 

Are you suffering from communication withdrawal?

 

All of a sudden the hundreds of emails, text messages and phone calls have stopped. Maybe you’re glad, but doesn’t it feel a little weird?

 

emailing

 

I often feel I am suffering from withdrawal when I finish a real estate transaction, whether a sale or a purchase, or both. No matter how many times I’ve done it the sudden change in communication feels a little odd.

 

Perhaps you feel this way too? I’ve actually had a few of you comment on that.

 

You are well aware there have been numerous emails during our time together…hundreds and hundreds of them in fact. And multiple text messages, too. Not to mention many phone conversations to talk about offer strategy, updates (or lack of), questions, frustrations around delays, lender questions and issues, inspection issues and repairs requests, and so much more.

 

texting with a clientAnd sellers – lots of conversations about preparation for the market, deciding on the price, dealing with showings, updates and feedback from showings, reviewing offers (in most cases more than just 1), choosing the right offer to counter and how, discussing repair requests, waiting anxiously for the appraisal and loan approval, and so much more.

 

Believe it or not there were moments here and there when there was little to no communication because things were moving along the way they were supposed to and all was good, but in the first couple of weeks of your transaction, and in the last few days right before closing, we have been tied to the hip, so to speak.

 

Then, all of a sudden it was over. In a wonderful way, of course.

 

I called to congratulate you on your sale, or let you know you were new homeowners and we needed to get together so you could get your keys. Congratulating sellers or handing over keys for the new home to buyers are truly the most rewarding moments in this business for me.

 

Oh, there was more to it than just a quick call, with a gift, a thank you, a short visit. But all of a sudden everything changed. Does it feel different to you, too? I bet it does!

 

Perhaps in some ways it’s a relief! You bought a new house, or sold your home, and now you are moving on with your life…getting unpacked, learning your way around, perhaps moving to a new home if you were a seller, and building those new memories, and so much more.

 

I’ll stay in touch. I’d love to see what you do with your new home, or hear about your next adventure. I want to be there to help in any way I can for the long term, with recommendations about the community, tips about vendors you might need, information about the market over time, sharing information I believe will be of value to you, and just being there because I care, and we worked well together.

 

shaking hands with a clientI am honored to have been a big part of your life during this very important life change. And now there are other important things for us both to do. But I won’t forget. I hope you don’t either.

 

No doubt you’re glad all the craziness is over, the emails and texts have stopped, the pressure to make yet another phone call, or the anxiety waiting for a call or email, is gone.

 

Your life is moving on. And mine is, too.

 

But my life has changed, having been part of helping you buy or sell a house.

 

I’ll get over the communication withdrawal. You will too! It’s all been worth it, hasn’t it?

 

Until, perhaps, we do it again!!

Posted by

Jeff Dowler, CRS
Certified Residential Specialist / Realtor®


Call or Text
(760) 840-1360

Email Me

Enjoy the beach life in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas,
San Marcos & other
North San Diego County coastal
& inland communities

Buy - Sell - Invest - Second Homes  

     

About Me

My Blog

My Website

  Jeff Dowler's Facebook Profile  Jeff Dowler's YouTube Profile    Jeff Dowler's LinkedIn Profile

 

Pamela Cloud
Remax Town & Country - West Chester, PA
Serving the southwestern suburbs of Philadelphia

Jeff, you hit the nail on the head! Very well articulated and I like the way you turned it into a letter!

Apr 30, 2019 05:05 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I love the way you write this. On another thought, You know it is funny that after 3 or 4 months with daily communications, i do miss some buyers and sellers. 

Apr 30, 2019 06:06 AM
Richard D. Rawdin
Coldwell Banker Hamptons / Global Luxury - Southampton, NY
Hamptons Real Estate

This is exactly what happens to me all the time. Buyers and Sellers are very "needy" during the transaction and then they don't need you anymore. What's up with this? You assist them through every step of the way and then it's closed and they barely get back to answer a call or an email. The world is changing ~

Apr 30, 2019 09:55 AM
Dave Rosenmarkle
Highland Realty, Inc - Fairfax, VA
33 years of providing fully satisfying service!

Thanks for the great post! I think we all periodically drift in and out of the persistence to stay in touch with those very important folks in our business lives. Very helpful phrasing ideas to bring home the "thank you for your business".

Apr 30, 2019 01:11 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Oh yes I do feel this way at times.  It's very intense for a few months, especially if there are issues to work through. Same as my last job.  The fun part is--some clients become friends and I make a point to visit with them every few months to catch up! Well written

Apr 30, 2019 05:02 PM
Anne Edwards Johnson
All City Real Estate - Austin, TX
Austin Realtor | HookemhomesATX (512)917-5260

Jeff Dowler, CRS I love how you expressed this phase of the transaction.  I think we all grow so close to our buyers and sellers and it feels awkward not to talk with them daily.

Apr 30, 2019 06:26 PM
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

I agree with Michael Jacobs!

May 01, 2019 12:00 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Laura Cerrano  I so agree!

Endre Barath, Jr.  It's definitely an interesting shift when transactions end. I certainly don't dwell on it, and move on, as I'm sure buyers and sellers do. No doubt in addition to having a successful transaction  they are thrilled to take a breather and deal with other life issues!

Jeff

May 02, 2019 08:21 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

It IS a pity and I bet there are clients who wonder why, James Dray 

I hopt they were GOOD flashbacks Barbara Todaro 

Jeff

May 02, 2019 08:22 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks Nina Hollander  I suspect it's common with most of us. I had several clients email me about this in the past and so it prompted this post.  The opposite happens as soon as we start escrow - it's an amazing, and wonderful, flurry of activity once you have an acceptance.

Jeff

May 02, 2019 08:26 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

So very true Sally K. & David L. Hanson and so often there are multiple streams of communication happening at once in different phases of transactions.

Jeff

May 02, 2019 08:29 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Buzz Mackintosh 

That's a good thing to do! While the communication may slow dramatically it should not stop completely, right?

Jeff

May 02, 2019 08:33 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thank you Sheila Anderson  So true! I suppose there are some other business relationships that are similar!

Jeff

May 02, 2019 08:40 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Oh yes! No matter how many times we close on homes, the silence the next day and several days later is deafening! Funny, I thought it was just ME that felt the absence of calls, texts, and emails. How nice of you to address the feelings in a terrific post.

May 04, 2019 03:25 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Richie Alan Naggar 

Quality is generally better than quantity as far as communication is concerned, right?

Thanks for your thoughts!!

Jeff

May 04, 2019 10:11 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Amanda S. Davidson 

I suspect this is true for most of us. I also love going back to see what's been done, or at least seeing some photos! I always tell clients I want to see their new home when they are settled, or after they have made some improvements. It's always very special!

Jeff

May 04, 2019 10:13 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Liz and Bill Spear 

That's so true. Some really are glad to be done and have limited communication. I totally get that!!

Jeff

May 04, 2019 10:14 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Shirley Coomer 

That's a really good point. We are pretty intensely involved for a while and learn alot about what's going on, and then things shift so dramatically! I stay in touch but don't know all the details...but it's always fun to catch up when it happens.

Jeff

May 04, 2019 10:16 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Jane Peters 

That defintely happens from time to time, too. Things just tend to ebb and flow all the time!

Jeff

May 04, 2019 10:21 PM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

Jeff, I was following your every word.

I like to see things moving forward. I am all energized and excited. We have a goal, a destination and I am bringing others along on the trip.

You are so right, the next day can be a real downer. Destination was satisfactorily and joyfully reached. Now I have to find a new destination, or I feel like I will wither away.

Thanks for a great post.

May 09, 2019 12:58 PM