Good customer service is essential for any real estate agent, but being polite and knowledgeable about properties isn't enough to retain customers over the long term. So how do you make sure buyers and sellers remember you when they think “real estate”?
Here are 10 ways to wow your customers and set yourself apart from your competitors.
1. Build genuine relationships
Real estate is a business, but that doesn't mean you have to limit your relationships to professional spheres. Make an effort to get to know your buyers and sellers personally. Ask about their families, jobs and hobbies. If you have common interests, don't be afraid to suggest meeting outside of listings and showings.
2. Hire a cleaner
Should the seller clean the house? Hire a crew to deep clean the interior and tidy up the exterior. Homeowners will be amazed and grateful that you took the stress out of selling. Equally impressive is offering the gift of house cleaning and gardening to buyers moving into their new home.
3. Connect with trusted companies
A successful real estate agent needs to have a database of trusted professionals to whom they can refer clients. Save contact information for best-in-class inspectors, handymen, electricians, plumbers, general contractors, landscapers and local service providers who can assist buyers and sellers as they navigate the home selling process.
4. Help your clients pack
Depending on your relationship with your client, you can help them pack their personal belongings before the move or send a team to wrap and box their belongings. Delivering packing materials, tape, and boxes is also a thoughtful touch.
5. Share your social scenes
Use your local knowledge to introduce buyers to the best businesses near their new home, such as noteworthy cafes, restaurants, country clubs, gyms, bookstores, specialty grocery stores, etc. Additionally, let your customers know about online local social groups that can be a source of information and provide a warm welcome.
6. Use their business or refer them to others
Whether they own their own business or work at a place you frequent as a patron, give their company a little love when you can. Let buyers and sellers know that you want to support them in more ways than just showing them homes and helping them with paperwork. Consider also featuring their company on your social networks, such as Facebook, Google, Yelp, and LinkedIn.
7. Give them cool smart home products as gifts
Surprise your buyer and seller clients with some cool smart home products for their new abodes. The latest smart technology devices come with a variety of fun features. Consider gifting your clients some new toys, like a camera doorbell, outdoor lighting set, Apple HomePod or Amazon Echo, smart light bulbs, Wi-Fi enabled sprinkler controllers or water monitors.
8. Give your customers gift cards or memberships
Finding great places to dine and have fun in a new city can be a challenge. Help your buyers discover the wonders of their new surroundings by gifting them a gift certificate or membership to a favorite place. Do you offer produce box deliveries they can sign up for? Is there a museum nearby that offers annual memberships? Guests with children might appreciate a gift certificate or membership to a playground or kids' gym.
9. Send dinner on moving day
Your buyer and seller clients will probably be pretty busy on moving day. Ease their load by delivering dinner, wine and dessert. Pick their favorite restaurant and order family-sized portions of their most popular dishes. Or surprise them by casually asking about their food preferences.
10. Give the best basket
Create a basket that includes the best products in various categories, such as premium wine, bagged coffee beans, locally grown honey, Italian pasta, etc. You can also include coupons and gift cards for the most popular places to eat and drink, see live music, get their car washed, or spend their Sundays.
The key to wow your customers is to treat them personally and in a unique way that shows them you care about them as part of the family, not just as a business partner.
Looking for even more ways to impress your clients? Read our article on how to be the best agent in your area and check out more marketing tips on the Be Better blog.