Fringe Benefits of Working With a Realtor in it for the Long Haul
I doubt it makes many prospective clients’ list of hiring criteria.
But it should.
I’m thinking about Realtor longevity — specifically, how much longer the Realtor expects to be in the business.
Realtor Attrition
Why does that matter?
Because something like 90% of all starting Realtors are out of the business within five years.
Meanwhile, lots of older Realtors overwhelmed by technology are getting out now.
That means if (when) clients of the above have a real estate question or problem months (or years!) after their deal closes . . . they’re out of luck.
Ancillary (Non-Profit) Activities
I don’t know about other Realtors, but these days I estimate that something like 10% of my time is spent helping current and past clients with such issues as:
–Refinancing their mortgage;
–Helping them challenge their home’s tax assessed value;
–Reminding them to homestead their property;
–Recommending (or vetting) contractors for various home projects/repairs;
–Or even something as simple as shooting clients copies of key documents they’ve misplaced around tax time.
And that’s not even a complete list.
Just this week, I put a client in touch with the best lender I know to help them navigate a family member’s foreclosure issue.
In New Jersey.
No, I didn’t make any money doing that — but I earned my past (and future) client’s loyalty and appreciation.
P.S.: I have a longstanding piece of advice that I think still applies: ‘you don’t want to be a Realtor’s first client . . . or their last.’
