Treat Every Buyer Like the Gold Mine He Might be...

Once again, I'm right there with you Jennifer.  I just got off the phone with a sign call on a property I have listed for $150,000 here in Fishers, Indiana.  He wanted to rent it...my folks need the equity to move on.  I asked about his situation and there are some credit bumps...but I told him I knew of a few rentals in the area and talked through them with him.  We will go and see one tomorrow and hopefully he'll have a place to live.  In this area, our commission for that is about $100...but isn't it about helping people because we know the area, the houses, the lay of the land.  Yes, I want to get commission checks bigger than that; but we're in a business to help others and the more we do that the more contacts we will have.  My guess is (because it has for me) those contacts will refer and you will make the money.

This is precisely why I am working with a particular couple right now.  It's one of those things that you just don't expect that particular deal to amount to much (if anything), but I have a new relationship that is strong and I can't get enough of those!  Sure it's a little investment in terms of time, but not excessive and I think well worth it.

I've had calls like this! And they turned into repeat blients who also referred friends to me. But the friends bought a house on the river! You never know what that one little sale can mean for your future!

I know the kind of calls you are talking about. For me some have turned to be great and some have gone no where. In both cases I treated the potential client equally, but it was up to the client to make the move.

Sometimes you just have to make sure you treat everyone equally! Why, because you never know!

I definitely agree because I remember my experience as a first-time home buyer at 24 years old.  By my looks, I seemed like a teenager that would be a waste of time to many agents but the agent that closed with me (and 5 of my friends!!) was the one that should be care and respect despite my young look.  Because of that experience, despite what others advise me about not wasting time, I still have to give others the courtesy and respect that I wanted as a buyer.

Thanks for sharing this!

Thanks for the reminder, Jennifer.  It isn't always easy to treat everyone like they are your best customer! :)

So true. It is all about relationship building.

I could not agree more Jennifer.  There is gold in respecting each buyer for what they are doing.  It is amazing how many agents ignore someone that they feel they can't make a big sale on.  It's ok by me, it means more for me yeah!  Have a good one.  BTW good luck with the sale of you house.  Looks like you will need a buyer's agent too soon. 

Like your approach and attitude. it is true that many potential buyers can be a pot of gold. we just have to learn how to sift through them effectively and find the nuggets.

You and I must read the same books!  ;-)

We mustn't ever forget that they are taking a chance on us, too!

Long ago I worked for a very wealthy man who enjoyed hiding the fact.  He drove a pick up, wore blue jeans and frequently was treated rather shabbily by professionals.  When he drove up in his vintage Corvette or his wealth was obvious, it was always a different story.  The people who received his trust and business were the ones who treated him fairly how he looked, and those were few.  I learned a lot about not judging others from this situation!

Jennifer, Thank you for this post.  It's exactly how I feel when dealing with "walk ins" and any other people I deal with in this business.  Not for them only, but for the future they may just bring me.  I treat all my clients the same, like they are a gold mine, and hope that when they or someone they know need RE help, they remember me.  That's what it's all about.  Have a great day.

Just starting out, I welcome every opportunity to help someone out.  Very important to remember that you never know where your walk ins might lead.

I always say I dont mind selling 10 100,000 to 1 1,000,000. Because those 10 people may bring me 10 more and that 1 can bring me 1 or maybe none.

Jennifer, good post! Every one should be treated equally, client or not. You never know who are talking to and it is always best to leave a great impression on everyone you meet.

This is good stuff Jennifer. No wonder you have a book. I always wonder about the snobby attitude I run into at times. Most all my clients drop me a few new leads and it all turns into a lot of business over time.

All you have to do is go back to one of your first good clients and see what they delivered over a couple of years - if that doesn't show you anything, you better start calling those people back.

Jennifer, Thanks for the reminder about a walk in , a renter, on floor duty in the very beginning of my career. You have given me an idea for a future post.   

Jennifer, you are so right and I could not have read this at a better time. I was just thinking about handing off a potential client who is thinking about a little piece of land. But, hey it will not hurt me to get off of my behind and do a little research. Thanks for the wake-up.