I’m putting in an estimate on a realtors personal property, but have put out many cards at offices. Are people having any luck with this tactic? I did the whole curb appeal pitch prior to sale, but I haven’t gotten any calls. Is it that I didn’t offer the kickback (referral fee?). I figured if the house looks better it might sell quicker hence, the quicker they get their commission. Maybe I need to sweeten the pot. I figured 6% is a lot, but do they really want a $25 referral (number off the top of my head). I can kind of see it being a fee service for them so anything related might need to be fee related too.
Be careful on “kick backs” or referrals. I believe some states have laws against that. I am a Realtor too (part time on my 15th year) and think it’s a great idea. To me, it’s just like washing/waxing/cleaning a car before you sell it. It will bring more money and potential buyers if that main MLS picture shows a clean house. I have cleaned a few for other agents and have a good relationship with several. No kickbacks involved. Might buy them a drink if I see them out though.
Just try to get as many realtor personal houses as possible, not for a discounted price, and then just do a great job. They’ll share your name with clients as needed. I do call and thank them though after the fact if they send me one.
e all dirty and sent the message.
They actually acknowledged my message…but that was it . It makes a great deal of sense to me, they pay lots of money to stage the interior of a house and the outside is filthy… all about educating I think !
So far, I have been surprised at how few people actually consider exterior cleaning when they sell a house. I thought it was something everyone would want.
You would be surprised how many people don’t actually know house washing is a service or even a thing. I had a customer one time that was referred to me laugh at me when I said this is my full time business. I laughed with her, she seemed really chatty and I was running late, didn’t have time for the pitch.
Well, the consensus seems to be offer the service, give the pitch, don’t give a referral fee. I don’t know if everywhere is like where I live, sure there are big name realtors but there are so many mom and pop places it is silly. I live in the sticks, how could that many people make a living at this?
My wife and my son are both Realtors and there’s not as much work as you think. I do jobs for my wife’s listings all the time, but generally speaking listing agents will recommend their clients spend money elsewhere when trying to sell their property, such as painting interior rooms, or updating the hardware on their cabinets, updating light fixtures, repairing leaky faucets, etc…
I find it frustrating how many recommend painting the whole house just to make it look cleaner. My own parents just did it to put their house on the market. They hand painted a 2500 sq ft. House because they didn’t say anything to me before they started. I washed about 6000 sq ft. Of concrete and brick for them, which made a huge difference.
My wife watches these home show where they always mention curb appeal. I always figured a well maintained home presents itself. Then again when I glimpse some of the shows she watches, the people always comment about the paint color in the home.
I’m a realtor myself and I continue the services. Whether I have a buyer client or listing a house…I’ll wash the house and concrete at no cost. It’s unique and not many realtors do that.
As far as trying to get business from realtors…as someone mentioned above…there’s not much work there. Before I became a realtor I thought it would be a great idea to get on some realty firms preferred vendor list. I did but have gotten a total of two jobs in the last 3 years from being on these lists. I am surprised how many people don’t wash their exterior and driveway when listing their house.
I prefer contacting property management companies who also may be realtors. I send a concise business e-mail highlighting the benefits of using my service even when they may clean their homes their-selves. I will send a dozen out, wait a week and re-send and then move on to other prospects. Dropping off brochures to every office doesn’t work. Also I cold call on MH communities because the property manager is on-site. These communities aren’t very appealing but worth the effort and you only need a few when other prospects aren’t calling
. It makes a great deal of sense to me, they pay lots of money to stage the interior of a house and the outside is filthy… all about educating I think !
