Moreover, a 2018 survey found nearly three-quarters of home buyers would hire their agents again or refer them to others. It’s data like this that shows just how important it is for you to build and maintain long-lasting relationships with all of your clients.It’s not enough to send past clients a couple emails and postcards each year asking how they’re doing and offering best wishes. To be a successful real estate agent and secure repeat or referral business from them, you need to show you care.
Check out these 20 memorable real estate marketing tips for ways you can make a big impression on former clients with personal touches, including several great ideas from experienced real estate pros nationwide.
1) You can’t go wrong with some pizza.With all of the commotion that occurs during moving day for new homeowners, they have little time to think about what they’ll have for dinner, go grocery shopping for the next few days, or complete new-home maintenance tasks. Help them out by giving a helping hand on their first day at home.Valerie Garcia, Director of Training at RE/MAX Integra, noted many homeowners really only want a few things in their first day at their new residence. “As a consumer, there are only three things I’d want: a pizza on moving day, a complete digital copy of all my documents, and a locksmith on closing day to change the locks.”Valerie isn’t the only proponent of pizza for new homeowners. Realtor and consultant Jodi Beekman of The Hemmert Real Estate Group stated she usually plans a pizza delivery from a popular place near her clients. “I have it delivered to them and their moving helpers whenever they want,” she said.
2) Throw a housewarming party and invite neighbors.Hosting a housewarming party is another great idea that makes clients feel at home right away, according to Bamboo Realty Broker/Owner Sarah Schnell Jones.“You can get printed invitations, snacks, beverages, and custom paper coasters and napkins printed for the occasion,” said Sarah. “It’s a great way to meet the neighbors. A custom guest book for the house is a great option, too.”
3) Take the housewarming party to the streets.The term “housewarming party” doesn’t necessitate the festivity to take place in the actual home. California-based Realtor Mary Simmons-Maloney throws an interesting version of this social gathering for her clients.“We do a taco cart in the street and invite all the neighbors to meet our buyers or say goodbye to our sellers,” said Mary. “People will come up to us later and say they met us at the taco party we did on a certain street or cul-de-sac. A keg and tacos outside means our clients don’t have to worry if their house is clean.”
4) Hire a cleaning crew to help clients spruce up their homes.In the same vein as providing assistance on your own to clients, consider hiring outside help as well. Simmons-Maloney noted that having a crew come over to her sellers’ homes for a few hours to prepare their home for sale was a big relief to her clients.“For my sellers, the best thing is I have a cleaning crew clean their home, and everyone tells me it was the best thing ever to not have to worry about cleaning a toilet after packing,” she said.
5) Get clients knick-knacks for their new residence.Instead of putting all of your eggs in one basket with a big housewarming gift, you can buy a bunch of little things your clients can use on a day-to-day basis.Head to the local market and buy them paper towels, sponges, paper plates, plastic cups, and other items so they can dine-in with ease during their first week in the new place. For the bathroom, you could get them small hand towels, hand soap, or potpourri.
6) Secure them a local membership to somewhere fun.Getting to know their new surroundings is the next big task facing clients who buy a home in a new market. So, help homeowners become more familiar with their community by getting them a membership to somewhere interesting.“For a family moving to the area, you can buy them a one-year membership at the zoo or children’s museum,” said Jones.Other membership options include:Gift of the month, like wine or steakA short-term membership to a local gymFree rounds of golf at a local country club
7) Refer customers to your client’s business.Speaking of referrals, get some love from clients by telling those in your network about their business. Whether they work at a major corporation or a niche small business, they’ll appreciate you promoting their company.Use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ to spread word about new offerings or promotions — just make sure they’re aware of your advertising efforts so you get in their good graces.
8) Buy from their business yourself.Personally help a client’s business by shopping there. If they own a car wash, give your ride a rinse at their establishment. If they run a catering company, hire them for your agency’s next event.Don’t feel obligated to buy from them, but if they sell something you’d purchase anyway, why not shop at their company, help their bottom line, and gain their appreciation?
9) Purchase a personal gift that means something to them.Did your client mention they love a certain film director or author? Order a movie or book on Amazon and have it shipped to their home with a personalized note.
Is there an old antique they’ve been trying to find? Find it on eBay and gift it to them. Anything that means something special to the client is something worth looking into buying.Whatever you purchase, follow up shortly after the item is delivered to let them know you appreciated their business and hope they’re doing well. This is a prime way to show you really listened to your clients — something they’ll look for in an agent the next time they want to buy or sell. #RealEstateAgent #relationships #EstateAgents #survey #home #hire #data #RealEstateAgents #EstateAgent
