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Keeping sellers calm in the rough seas...

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Select R.E.

 

I have to say it was fun to tell my college aged daughter that her mom is blogging!!  But I guess I can't say "blogging," as in active blogging, unless I do it more than once.  So here I am with blog entry #2!!  yahoo!!

I have found that in the past year, one of the greatest challenges that I feel I am faced with, in this fun and ever changing market, is keeping my sellers calm, realistic, motivated and most of all retaining me.  So far I feel I have done fairly well, or maybe just been darn lucky :) 

One thing that I started, fairly early in my real estate career that I feel has been paramount in helping me with this particular situation, is what I call "Feedback Friday."  Feedback Friday is simply an email that my clients receive every Friday.  Whether we had 10 showings or none, whether a home up the street sold or no homes sold at all - it is an email that they know will come regardless, and that any updates I have to share will be there.

Now of course if something major happens I tell the that I will contact them right away, and I do.  But I let them know that every Friday they can expect to hear from me with a re-cap of all that has gone on.

 I include things like current market stats, feedback on showings and information on comparable homes - (be it price drops, new on market, solds, etc...)  I make sure they know how many agent hits we have had in the MLS, how quickly flyers are disappearing, how many visits to other sites where their home is featured, pretty much anything I can think of to steer them in the direction I want them to go, or just let them see I am still here and I am working hard for you.

It has been received very favorably.  As a matter of fact, I have had several re-peat clients that when I worked with them the first time I did not do this, but by the time I worked with them the second time I had implemented this as part of my routine.  And they loved it! Oh, and the bonus...  they don't call me with every little question because they know we will be in touch on Friday.

Though I think this has been very helpful with and for my clients, in these tough times I have lost a listing to someone else.  And though my broker (Colleen Fischesser who is amazing I might add) and I have had numerous conversations about it (bless her heart!!) I don't know that anything I did made him try someone else, nor do I think anything I could have done different would have made him hang on with me any longer.  And though I pretty much believe that in my head...  :)  :)   in my heart it still stings.  And I want to learn from this and figure out how to better serve and retain my sellers.

So here is where you come in...  My friends have been on my case for sometime to get on Active Rain and to start blogging.  Anita Beach even sent me the Friendship Ball so that I would have to get started (you sneaky thing!)  So here I am, hoping that from this networking we can all share ideas and grow and become better agents.  So talk to me Rain, I would love to hear what you think of the Feedback Friday, what you think I should include in that, and what types of things you are doing to keep your sellers calm in these tumultuous seas.

Comments (8)

David Wang
Prudential California Realty - Millbrae, CA
Prudential | 650.504.8190

congrats keep blogging

Oct 23, 2008 03:53 AM
Kathie Gartlan
Illustrated Properties - Jupiter, FL

Good morniing Geri

You are doing a good job number one complaint from most buyers and sellers is a lack of comuication with agent.

I to am new a blogging but hope like you that in these different times we can share and grow.

Kathie J Gartlan

 

Oct 23, 2008 03:56 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

Keep on blogging... it gets easier as you go along. 

Great tip on the Feedback Friday.  I usually do mine in the middle of the week to capture those weekend showings sooner.  I try to include any agent or buyer feedback comments as well.

Oct 23, 2008 03:59 AM
Patty Carroll
Vancouver, WA

Good for you and glad that you are blogging. It is a great way to get yourself out there.

Oct 23, 2008 04:01 AM
Valerie Spaulding
Windermere Peninsula Properties~Allyn~Belfair~WA - Belfair, WA
Allyn-Belfair-Hood Canal-Local Expertise!

I too give Feedback every week.  We are a rural market and at times there is not too much to give but even telling them there has been not much activity keeps them informed. BUT even the conversation of something going on in their lives or that is happening in town makes a connection with them or the lates news on lenders. they appreciate just the communication and it shows them that I am out there paying attention in the market and the community. After I have communicated with them it makes me feel good as well - that I have given them and am giving them the best service I can.

 All my kids laughed when I told them I was blogging as well. They asked me if I even knew what it was. we had a good laugh and then they started giving me tips and telling me what not to do and boy did the critics in them jump out on  my blogging skills!   Now before I hit the submit button I smile and wonder - ok what would they say to this! 

Oct 23, 2008 04:10 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

I think you are doing the number one thing sellers want-they want feedback some type of communication.  Keep up the good work.

Oct 23, 2008 04:28 AM
Anita Beach
RE/MAX Select Real Estate - Maple Valley, WA
Real Estate Assistant - Maple Valley, WA

I agree with Pat and think that sellers are constantly needed to hear something from their agent and how they are working for them. I know you have done the Feedback Friday and because of you, I impliment that into my business. I'm so glad to see you blogging! It's fun, new and oh so exciting!!

Oct 23, 2008 12:22 PM
Rick Huffman
Mortgage Banker - Kent, WA

I love the name Feedback Friday! I do this as well. I'm going to start calling it Feedback Friday like you. Sometimes what we call something makes it easier to get motivated to do it.

Oct 26, 2008 07:51 AM