Escrow is closed and your buyer is moved into their new home!  What an accomplishment in a market where so many transactions are wrought with challenges.  We are so happy to have helped our buyers get their home, and often feel like taking a bow in front of them after spending 30 to 45 days or more at maximum stress level working through one obstacle after the other to ensure a successful closing.   Even in the “easy” transactions that go perfectly, we are so shocked and surprised sometimes that we sigh in relief at the closing and can’t wait to hand over the keys to the buyers and fulfill their dream of owning this home.  If you’re a Coldwell Banker agent, there’s no doubt that you set them up with our Concierge Service and covered every base to make their move as smooth as possible.  But there’s one thing that we rarely address aside from our normal conversations with our buyers during a transaction…  The almost immediate lonely feeling of being out of place in new surroundings.  From going from knowing all of their neighbors, to waving uncomfortably at their new neighbors they’ve never met on the way to work in the morning…they’re starting all over.

In this blog post, I will share a way that WE as Realtors can help our buyers feel more welcome in their new neighborhood, bring people together, and make a strong impact on them that they will never forget.  By doing this simple and kind thing, you will strengthen your relationship with your buyers, as well as make a phenomenal impression on the immediate neighbors and very likely get more business from that neighborhood and more REFERRALS from your buyers.

For about $2-$5 you buy a large “Welcome to the Neighborhood” card (here’s a link to some

Click to see samples and buy

http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/welcome-to-the-neighborhood-neighbourhood-cards/houses-welcome-to-the-neighborhood-583399?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google_base&campaign=googleshopping&gclid=CLzStvbWvMACFSpp7AodoTEA9Q).  Then simply go and knock the doors of the surrounding neighbors and ask them if they would like to write a short welcome message to your clients.  NO ONE will say no, and most will be so appreciative of the proactive and thoughtful gesture you are making to gather these welcome messages.  I’ve also suggested carrying extra cards with stamped envelopes for those neighbors who are not home with a note from you and your business card attached.  If someone says they don’t have time, hand them an addressed and stamped card and envelope for them to take and write their message and drop in the mail later.  How many should you do?  My suggestion is to at the very least, try to get the immediate 10 homes across the street, and the 5 on each side of their home, but the more the better of course!   Another great touch is to write a letter of introduction to your clients, with their permission of course.  Here’s a great article that you could even use as a handout with the introduction letter: http://www.wikihow.com/Welcome-New-Neighbors

I can assure you that if you begin doing this for every buyer on every transaction you close, you will NOT have to even ASK the neighbors to list with you, or ask your buyer for referrals.  YOU will have their business!   Every agent that I’ve talked to that has done this has stories about their buyers literally getting emotional with sometimes tears of happiness when they read the notes from the neighbors.  Another interesting thing happens very often too.  Some of the neighbors are inspired by your gesture and actually go introduce themselves to the new buyers and a new relationship is sparked.  All because of what YOU did.

Of course, if you are the type of person that likes to take things to a higher level, you can even host a “Let’s welcome our new neighbors!” party at the local home owners association, a local restaurant, or even another neighbors house.

Another great thing to do is to go visit all of the closest local businesses, restaurants, etc. and talk to the owner or manager, and ask them if they would like to sign the welcome card.  You’ll find that many of them will even offer small gift cards & coupons that you could include when you deliver the finished card.

As always, I enjoy sharing strategies and ideas on ways to grow your business and improve the level of service we all provide to our clients.  Of course, this is one of many unique strategies I share with the agents I work with and coach on a regular basis, and I am always open to sharing how a move to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage can help you dramatically grow your business!  For more information please don’t hesitate to call, text, or email me at 714-782-2723 or Brad.Pearson@camoves.com .

To your continued success,

Brad

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