Real estate agents are often the first point of contact for people moving into a new city, or for those facing their first homeownership experience or first move. We are asked for recommendations for everything from lenders and insurance agents to gardeners and pet sitters. A great way to handle these requests is to maintain a list of your top referring services that can be easily shared with your clients.
Here are some of the categories you can include:
- Lenders
- Insurance Agents
- Home Inspection Companies
- Appraisers
- Building Contractors
- Repairmen
- HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing and Roofing Contractors
- Moving Companies
- Decorators
- Painters, Pressure Cleaning
- Housekeeping Services
- Lawn Maintenance
- Pool Services
- Pest Control
- Security Systems
Tips for Managing Your Referring Services List
- Try to provide more than one contact per category so the client can get more than one estimate.
- Only include contacts who you have experience with or have been referred to you by colleagues or friends.
- Update the list regularly. If you get reports of clients having bad experiences with someone on your list, remove them promptly. Check phone numbers and email addresses to keep them current.
- Include a disclosure statement, such as this one: “This information is provided as a courtesy to my clients. I do not receive any type of incentive from your use of these vendors, nor do I make any guarantees related to services provided.”
Being a trusted resource for your clients goes a long way. By maintaining a well-curated referral list, you’re not just helping them find the services they need; you’re also building a reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable agent. Your clients will appreciate the convenience, and you’ll gain their trust as their go-to advisor in the real estate journey. So, don’t underestimate the power of building your referring services – it’s a win-win for both you and your clients, making your professional relationship stronger and more valuable than ever.