Over the years, I have sent out many referrals and for the past decade, most of these agents have been found right here on ActiveRain.
After speaking to so many agents and really getting to know them, my comfort level is high as opposed to choosing an unknown agent just because they may have the right Alphabet Soup letters after their name.
Just yesterday, one of my clients told me they were leaving this weekend for a week in Florida. They found an area and were going down to see some properties.
Since it was in a community that an AR member lives and works,
I picked up the phone and called my broker contact. We had a lovely conversation and got caught up on the happenings of the past year.
After I was sure this was the right area and that my friend was still very active in RE, I mentioned my client. This agent had recently started a new brokerage, moving from a big box company and sounds perfect.
Until this comes to fruition, I am not giving out this members name.
It's important to choose the right professional.
The first place I look for a referral source is ActiveRain. When I have an area that a client is interested in...I start my research.
It's not enough that they have a designation or are the top producer.
What I'm looking for is to match the buyer/seller's personality and needs to the right Realtor®
It can work both ways. This past year I was the recipient of
wonderful buyer clients, sent from a lender in California.
This was one of the smoothest transactions with delightful buyers. The knowledgeable, attentive, kind and sensitive John Meussner sent these clients just from knowing me on ActiveRain.
Referrals from other agents and past clients do not come by asking why I'm not getting referrals.
They do not come by asking why do others receive referrals.
They do not come from the absence of blogging.
They do not come if members do not know you.
They do not come from demanding proof that blogging works.
They are not going to come from paying big bucks for the promise of hundreds of referrals.
Referrals come from giving and sharing and working hard.
You also get clients the same way!
This post is being submitted for Debbie Reynolds March Contest.
ActiveRain Is The Best Source For Referrals.
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Broker-Owner HomeRome Realty
Author of Real Estate the Rome Way
mrome@HomeRome.com
410.530.2400
Hi Margaret, you have mastered the phone call and gotten to know people like know other in the Rain. I know I have confidence in you to trust my referrals to.
Thank you Debbie Reynolds for sponsoring this month's contest. Knowing you, I would gladly send my best friends and clients to you. You are the consummate professional.
What a wonderful deal that was! Great clients, and great work, Margaret! Happy to have the opportunity to work with you.
John Meussner You changed my opinion of out of state lenders. Looking forward to working with you real soon. We may have a client soon for you in NC.
Margaret, thank you for posting your approach to giving and receiving referrals. You make valid points on using ActiveRain vs the more common approach of top producers or designations. In essence, its all about relationship building.
David Wright It is all about relationship building! So good to see you in the Rain.
Thank you, Margaret! I love reading your posts and your ideas.
Margaret, like you .. The first place I look for a referral source is ActiveRain.
Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland This is a great post and I will be submitting an entry. Active Rain is always the first place I go to look for referrals.
Thank you David Wright What a lovely thing to say.
I agree with your title line, Margaret. ActiveRain provides us an opportunity to get to know agents a bit, that we send referrals to.
@rebeccRebecca Gaujot, Realtor® But of course. We have gotten to know each other over the years and trust each other. Perfect for sharing our special clients and family.
Elyse Berman, PA Look forward to reading your post. I remember how successful you were with my friends and got their condo sold when the other agent was not.
Myrl Jeffcoat Those of us that have been around for awhile have had great success. The personal relationships we have formed make our referrals more special. The clients get the best!
This can truly be a wonderful place for referrals. I have been fortunate enough to get several over the years myself.
JL Boney, III And I bet you have done a great job with those referrals. Hope you will be writing about them for the March contest.
Margaret little did I know at first that ActiveRain was actually a huge community of like-minded professionals. Once I figured that out I had a blast getting to know people - well I might add! I so enjoy giving and receiving ActiveRain referrals. When I have an opportunity to do so I know exactly who to call and I know how that person does business because they have shared so much over the years. ActiveRain is a fantastic referral network! You already know you are my Baltimore 'Go To Agent' in a heartbeat! I look forward to having an opportunity to refer somebody to you!
You're so right about AR being the best place for Referrals, Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland. I've become some what of a resource for others looking for professionals across the U.S./North America too ... as they know I have AR at my fingertips as a resource. The ways that AR continues to expand itself as a resource is so beneficial to us all ...
Congrats on the Feature!
Gene
The woman puts her sense to work and gets results....
I love the "give it to you straight" statements toward the end - followed by two short, sweet (albeit hard) reminders of how it's done. Thank you for sharing your referral point of view Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland.
Active Rain has definitely made it easy to find a referral agent for out of town clients. I made a love match last year between sellers leaving my area and moving to Sarasota with Marnie Matarese .
Hi Margaret, It was great speaking to you the other day. Thanks for the heads up on the contest and "other things:!
So right you are, Margaret, as always! A truly important message to always keep in mind!
Recently sent a seller in my area to an AR member in Florida myself. And I knew from reading their posts over the years they would be a great fit.
Couldn't agree with you more, Margaret! I always start with Active Rain when looking to refer clients out, because I am confident that the professionals who give of their time and talents here will take excellent care of "my" relocating folks!
Since I got involved with Active Rain this has been my first source to look when I need to make a referral. Like you, I like to call and talk with the agent and get a feel for the "right connection".
Absolutely agree!! ActiveRain is the FIRST place I would look for an outgoing referral. And likely the ONLY place I would need to look because of the many Realtor members.
Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS, Broker There is no doubt that you would be a perfect match for anyone moving to AZ. Wonderful friendships, like ours, and we have never personal met.
Thanks Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
We become valuable to our clients, friends and relatives by our AR connections.
Thank you Richie Alan Naggar I working on it.
Alesha A. Wilson, M.Ed., MRP Love seeing your contributions in the Rain!
Congratulations Chris Ann Cleland It is a win win all the way around.
Christine OShea So proud of you and your new brokerage. You go girl!
Allyson Hoffman What a treat seeing you right here!! How are you? Let's catch up soon.
Active Rain is a treasure house of referral agents; I've been very happy with the various referrals I sent out to members.
Tammy Lankford, You know when the fit is right! Thanks for sharing.
Barbara Murphy AR members take care of our clients and we have accountability to each other.
Would love to see you blogging again. Maybe join in the March contests. Let me know if you need anything.
Diana Dahlberg If we get to know the members in the Rain, it makes us better agents for our clients. It's pretty impressive when someone mentions a city and you can say....hold on I have a friend there.
Pat Starnes, Brandon, MS If I can'f find someone in a specific area...I will call another member from the state and ask for a referral. Love the way we use each other!
Always good to see you Lottie Kendall
Hi Margaret
AR is a powerhouse for referrals, as well as finding the names of other potential referral agents that our AR friends know and mention her when referrals are needed. And I get a double bonus with CRSs who are also AR members.
Jeff
Jeff Dowler A CRS or other designation holder plus being an AR member is even more powerful. I know you give and get but it is because you give so much!
One of the best sources for referrals and much more good types of advice and experience with people telling their stories in ways that always impact me positively! :)
I’m glad that you give what you do and I will support it 100% however I can, I’m sure of it, Jeff Dowler
Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland
Me too! -- All the best - Lynn
"The first place I look for a referral source is ActiveRain."
I think that Active Rain is a great place to find agents when you need to send a referral Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland.
Good morning Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland ,
What an excellent post to enter into Debbie Reynolds contest! You are right referrals come from working hard and sharing and that is how clients come to you too!
Oh, this is my favorite place to find referrals too, Margaret! There are SO many that I absolutely cannot wait to send referrals to also - just getting to know many over the years, you just KNOW they're going to be wonderful professionals for your clients.
And, thanks for the heads-up on this one - I hadn't seen it!
Happy Thursday!
I am currently working with a referral that I received from an ActiveRain member. So far everything is moving along very nicely and we are working great together. ActiveRain is indeed my go to source when giving out referrals as well
You certainly have much more insight into an agent thru the Rain than you may choosing blindly with other sources.
Laura Cerrano Always good to see that pretty smile and love the time we met in Baltimore and you were a guest on the show.
Lynn B. Friedman The first and most of time the lsat. Always good to see you.
Sybil Campbell Always a good place to find referrals.
Dorie Dillard This has been a good contest for all of us. Hope you are doing well.
Debe Maxwell, CRS We really get to know members through out blogging and interactions right here in the rain. Look forward to your entry.
Terry McCarley Good to hear. Hope you will share the experience with us.
Sally K. & David L. Hanson That's for sure. Blogging gives us that insight and it is always good to see you!
thanks for the post. I have been on AR for years, but only recently got back into using it. I continue to learn each day more and more things about others in our area of profession, whether here in AZ or elsewhere.
I would love to start providing referrals to AR people. I sure woudln't mind getting them either. It's great to see how referrals have worked for other AR memebers..
Thanks again,
Erik Lilyquist They dont work overnight. Many of us have been here for many years blogging and connecting with other members. Hope you will join in..so much to learn, to share and yes even get referrals.
Takes research to match the client to the agent, doesn't always work due to personalities but AR is a great guide as you can often know a person through their writing.
When I need to refer to another agent in another part of the country, my search always starts in AR.
I think I am able to find out a lot about the agent here. Look at their posts and how they comment.
Then, I always make a phone call for a personal get to know them.
Thanks for the share.
I do feel that we get to know each other here. That makes sending a referral much easier.
Agreed. Getting to know other AR members is great for matching out-of-area referrals to the best agents.
I too have sent several referrals out over the years to AR members,
Nick & Trudy Vandekar, 610-203-4543 Just like anything, it takes research to find the right match.
John Wiley Do your research and follow up with a phone call. You know I approve of that.
Marte Cliff When you know someone, you are comfortable with referring them. Just have a designation or city is not enough for me to make that referral.
Elva Branson-Lee It is a really good way matching up the right professionals with our special clients.
Michael Eisenberg As you continue to refer out...you have a pretty good chance of getting referrals.
Referrals are the lifeline of my business!!!
Referrals from other agents and past clients do not come by asking why I'm not getting referrals. They do not come by asking why do others receive referrals.
I received a referral from an activerain agent last year. It worked out perfectly and the young couple was a delight to work with.
Hi Sham Reddy And I may have someone moving back to your area. I will let you know if it works out. Always good to see you my friend.
Dana Basiliere This is the kind of story we all love to hear. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Margaret,
A lot of people here seem to do what needs doing. That is what most people want.
Dörte Engel Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.