All top agents do things that average agents would not think of doing for their clients. Looking back on 2006 I thought I would start a list of a few I have done this year. Please add to the list, I think it will be a fun read to see some of the things agents have done in 2006 to go the extra mile to service their clients.
I have done contract signings in several unusual places.
- On the side of a fire truck while my client was fighting a brush fire.
- In military base housing
- On the hood of my car at the military base gate (escrow closing)
- In 2 different firehouses
- At a car dealership
- In my car at a parking lot outside of my clients place of work. (escrow closing)
- In the VA hospital ( we signed all of the documents their including the closing) I then helped move him in to his new condo upon release from the hospital.
- Signings off island including one in Chad Africa, one in the Phillipines and several others on the mainland US. I normally try to get POAs, but not always possible and in a few cases the agent on the other side dropped the ball and didn't get the POA. The one in Africa was a nightmare. My clients were in the Philippines and gave a POA to a family member. We signed and had to wait three weeks for the Africa docs to get back to us. Both difficult because you have to go through the embassy to get the documents notarized.
- I personally helped move two clients into their new homes.
- I spent the evening before closing cleaning and washing windows on the world's filthiest condo when the seller didn't have it cleaned. Yuk!
- Repaired and refinished 2 doors to get VA approval on a loan. I represented the buyer in an AS IS sale.
- Purchased a few appliances
- Brought in the handiman to make several small repairs.
- Gave out more Lowes and Home Depot gift cards than I can count.
- Dinner and movies for my new buyers to give them a break and an evening out. Moving is so hectic.
- Paid for professional cleanings.
I try to hold my fees up front, because we all know there will be expenses on the back end. You have to have gas left in the tank in the home stretch. Beside that clients remember the extra mile stuff. That is how referrals begin to grow.
I am looking forward to seeing lists from other agents.
Aloha to all have a Hauoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR
Century 21 Liberty Homes
Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.
Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.
www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations
Randy, that is going a little more than an extra mile.
I took a loan application at 1:00 in the morning about a year ago, because that was the only time I could sit the Borrower down long enough to get the information I needed. Hummmm, maybe I will do a Post about that one, thanks buddy for sparking the idea.
George - I do my best work at 1:00am, no phone ringing. J
TLW - Go for it. I am trying to entice people to tell their stories.
Well, let's see... this year I've paid for a home inspection for a client who's first attempt to purchase a home fell through(they closed on the second house)
I gave a couple my washer and dryer ( I had another set anyway)
I too gave out a lot of Home Depot gift cards-(one was to cover new drip plates)
Envited a client to my family Christmas dinner (she had been staying in a motel since her job transfer)
hmmmm... can't think of anything else...
Thanks Randy
TLW - I received the Christmas card from Broker Bryant today. Thank you and him. I look forward to your mini blog.
Shari - The family Christmas dinner was personal and something she will not forget. Good agents always go the extra mile. You are proof of that.
I'm baaaaak. Must hurry with this. :)
Hey. Broker Bryant had nothing to do with the Christmas cards. He only found out about them because I sent him to the post office to mail them. SVW.
Okay now about this whole extra mile thing. I think a little differently on the extras. Imagine that. :)
Anyway, my thoughts on going the extra mile are like this. For us the extra mile is an ongoing process. The extra trickles right into our day to day operation of our business. It's my 'in it for long haul' mentality. Following is a list of things we do that make all the difference in the world in our business:
Okay. I can go on with these but I think you see that going the extra mile is just the best way forward in this business. Success depends on whether or not you have a willing heart and the drive to succeed at everything you do. :)
TLW "The Lovely Wife"...There. That Is My "In A Hurry" Mini Blog. Not Bad Huh? ROAR!
TLW - If I ever invest in your area, you are the only company I would call to sell it. Thank you for adding to the list.
Aloha to all and have a Hauoli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian)
Randy,
I like the dinner and drinks to the new buyers idea. Guess you do go the extra mile!
The only thing I could think of that was different was rescheduling a closing to a Sunday and riding around for an hour trying to find one of the signers in a place where I would not normally ride around, if you get my drift, and spending an hour in the car waiting for the lawyer with two ladies who spoke minimal English, all of us trying to make small talk:(
Karen - Ok I won't use my standard lawyer jokes on him.
I have a couple of good friends that are lawyers, I still give them the lawyer jokes. I can't help myself.