With all the demands on your time, you might be tempted to let those past relationships slip through the cracks. But your relationship with a buyer or seller shouldn’t end once the house has been bought or sold. You put a lot of work into building that relationship and it still could benefit you. That’s because word of mouth referrals are still the number one way that an agent gets clients who are interested in buying or selling their home. There is absolutely no substitute for having a good relationship with a happy past client.
When your old clients are happy with their purchase or sale and you continue to follow up with them, comment on their social media, or take other steps to keep the relationship strong you will be the one that they tell friends and family about when their family and friends want to buy or sell a home. And getting a referral like that is what will keep you successful.
So after the sale closes don’t write off those buyers and sellers. Keep actively trying to build relationships with them so that you can count on them for referrals and references. Here are a few easy ways to keep those relationships strong:
Ask Them How They’re Doing
A simple way to keep those past clients engaged is just to periodically ask how they’re doing. Ask if they like the house, or if they’ve done any renovations. Ask them if they’re happy with the neighborhood or how their kids are doing in the new school. Reaching out lets them know that you’re still interested in making sure that they’re happy with their home.
Like Their Posts
Keep their posts in your social media newsfeed and when they post a photo of the house, a picture of some renovations they’re doing, or something else house related like it and comment on it. If you know they are redoing the backyard to increase the living space and you find an article about DIY fire pits drop the link their social media and let them know you hope the renovation goes well. Liking their social media posts is a quick and easy way to keep that channel of communication open.
Send Holiday Cards
The art of sending letters might be disappearing, but holiday cards are still very much appreciated. Don’t forget to send out holiday cards that include a business card or two in case they have friends or family members that are going to be interested in buying or selling a home. The cards don’t have to be customized or fancy. Just the act of remembering to send a holiday card will let your previous clients know that you still value them.
Read more about living in Edmonton, AB, or Looking To Buy or Sell Edmonton Real Estate. 
Do you have enough business cards? Do they have all your current social media addresses and handles? If you’re going to change your Facebook page to a Facebook group to avoid a slump because of Facebook’s new newsfeed policy you should update your marketing materials and get new ones printed. Now is the time to go over all your marketing materials and make sure that your phone number, email and social media addresses are all current. Since you may have to wait a week or two for printing and delivery get those materials updated and ordered now so that they will arrive in plenty of time.
Winter is almost over and spring is in the air. When you bring potential buyers to a home or host an open house in the spring the house should be flooded with as much natural light as possible. In the spring buyers respond to homes that feel open, fresh, and airy. To make that happen repaint with light neutral or white paint in the rooms. Change the drapes and replace them with crisp white curtains. Remove the blinds and get the windows professionally cleaned. Make the house sparkle with natural light to get the immediate attention of buyers.