What's Your Name Again?

When I’m hosting an Open House, I like to ask my guests if they’re working with a real estate agent. Sometimes they say “no” and that may give me an opportunity to offer my assistance when they need it. If they say “yes,” my next question is to ask them the name of the agent with whom they're working. I think it’s important to follow up with that agent and let them know that one of their clients visited my listing.

Often, though, my question of who they’re working with is met with something of a deer-in-the-headlights look and a prolonged “uuhhhhhh…”. According to the way I run my business, something is definitely wrong with that picture. Allow me to illustrate.

A little over four yeas ago I bought a new car. Just about every day since then, I’ve gotten into that car, turned the key, and driven it somewhere. My car is a vital part of my live… just as your car is probably vital to your life. We couldn’t get along very well without them, could we? And yet, as important as that car is to me and my business, I don’t remember the name of the guy who sold it to me. Why? Because I’ve never heard from him since the day I bought the thing. Our relationship ended the instant I drove away from his dealership.

Would I like to have a continuing relationship with someone in the car-selling business? Absolutely. I Would appreciate having that person as a resource if I had a question about anything related to automobiles. He might not immediately know the answer, but he could point me in the right direction. I would value that relationship.

I very firmly believe that the real estate business is a relationship business. The transaction that initially connects me with a Buyer or a Seller is the catalyst to that relationship. For a relatively brief period of time, I’m collaborating very closely with a client to help them achieve something very important — the buying or selling of a home. But after that — after the transaction is complete — it’s totally up to me to keep that relationship alive… to keep in contact with folks that I’ve helped in the past, with the intent to help them or someone they know in the future. I want to be a resource for folks about ANYthing having to do with real estate, at any time… not just when there’s a home to buy or sell.

That’s what it means to me to be “working” with a real estate agent. And those folks who came to my open house and couldn’t bring their agent’s name to mind? Well… they just don’t know what they’re missing.

Robert Flinn, REALTOR®/Broker
919-698-2040 (Direct)
919-402-1242 (Office)
rflinn@fmrealty.com (email)