Strengthening Bonds: Five Heartfelt Ways to Reconnect with Clients This Fall

by Sonia Guardado | Nov 18, 2024 | Texas Residential Real Estate Council

In real estate, relationships are the foundation of everything we do. But here’s the thing: Just as a home needs upkeep, your relationships with clients need tending, too. The fourth quarter of 2024 is the perfect time to reconnect meaningfully with your database, ensuring solid and long-lasting connections.

The fall and holiday seasons are naturally reflective times. People are thinking about what they’ve accomplished this year and what their goals are for the next. That’s where you come in. By reaching out thoughtfully, you can remind your clients that you’re not just there when they need a house—you’re there to support them through every season of life. Here are five unique ways to do just that.

Tailored Market Updates: Everyone loves a market update, but here’s the trick—it must feel personal. Austin is such a dynamic city, and no two neighborhoods are alike. So, rather than sending a generic email with general stats, take the time to tailor updates for different clients. Perhaps you have clients in South Austin who are curious about how much their home has appreciated or a family in East Austin wondering if it’s the right time to move. Providing specific data about their neighborhood and offering insights that matter to them shows you care about their unique situation. Plus, you’re giving them valuable information that helps them make informed decisions about their future. It’s more than just numbers; it’s a way to show you’re invested in their journey.

Personalized Video Messages: In today’s fast-paced world, nothing says “I’m thinking about you” quite like a personal message. But we’re all so busy, and face-to-face meetings aren’t always possible. That’s where personalized video messages come in. Take a few minutes to record a short, personal video text for some of your key clients. It could be as simple as, “Hey Sarah, I was driving by your neighborhood the other day and thought of you. Hope you and the family are doing well! Let me know if you need anything.” It doesn’t have to be long, but the personal touch of seeing your face and hearing your voice will make a lasting impact.

Small Client Appreciation Events: Fall is the perfect time to host small, intimate client appreciation events; they don’t need to be fancy or over the top. A cozy coffee gathering, a backyard barbecue, or even a small group hike through local trails can be the perfect way to connect in a laid-back setting. The key is to make your clients feel appreciated without overwhelming them. Keep it personal, simple, and heartfelt. These small events allow you to deepen those relationships naturally and meaningfully while reminding clients that you value them beyond the transaction.

End-of-Year Strategy Sessions: As the year wraps up, many people think about what’s next. This is an excellent opportunity to offer your clients an end-of-year real estate strategy session. It’s not a sales pitch but a check-in to see where they are and how you can help them plan for the future. You can discuss their real estate goals, whether they’re considering upgrading, downsizing, or investing. Offering your time to help them strategize for 2025 shows you’re there to support them long-term and positions you as someone who cares about their success, not just the next deal.

Holiday Gratitude Campaign: There’s something special about the holidays that makes people pause and reflect. This is the perfect time to send personalized, handwritten thank-you notes to your clients. Yes, handwritten! A thoughtful, handwritten note can make all the difference in a world full of emails and texts. Take a moment to express gratitude for their trust and business over the past year. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in making clients feel appreciated and remembered. It’s a small gesture, but it leaves a big impact, especially when it comes from the heart.

Real estate isn’t just about houses; it’s about people. By finding unique and personal ways to connect with your database, you’re doing more than just keeping in touch—you’re building lasting relationships. So, take this season as an opportunity to reach out, reconnect, and remind your clients that you’re there for them—now and in the years to come.

Continuing Education: Key to Mastering Austin’s Dynamic Real Estate Market

by Sonia Guardado | Sep 16, 2024 | Texas Residential Real Estate Council

The real estate market in Austin is dynamic. The city’s rapid growth, fueled by the tech industry and an influx of people seeking a better quality of life, presents unique challenges for agents. The tools, regulations, and market conditions that worked even a few years ago may no longer be relevant today. As the environment changes, so must the strategies and knowledge of those working within it. This is why continuing education isn’t just important — it’s essential.

At the heart of any profession, including real estate, lies the concept of mastery. Mastery is not achieved by reaching a plateau and resting there, content with one’s knowledge. Mastery is an ongoing journey without a clear end. The moment an agent believes they’ve “learned enough” is the moment they begin to fall behind. Real estate agents who commit to continuing education understand that staying still is, in fact, moving backward. The market never stops evolving. The successful agent must be ready to adapt, whether it’s understanding the latest technologies, new legal frameworks, or emerging market trends. Continuing education equips agents with the latest insights, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant in an industry where relevance can make or break a career.

Take, for example, the increasing importance of technology in real estate. Digital tools like virtual tours, data analytics, and online marketing strategies are no longer optional — they are essential. The agents who master these tools will dominate the market, while those who resist them will inevitably fall behind. Continuing education bridges the gap between yesterday’s practices and tomorrow’s opportunities.

Continuing education ensures that an agent can operate with the highest level of competence. It allows agents to stay informed about changes in the law, which is particularly important in a regulatory landscape that is constantly shifting. For example, fair housing laws and the rules surrounding zoning and development can change with little notice, especially in a rapidly growing city like Austin. An agent unaware of these changes could unintentionally violate the law or give bad advice to a client, leading to disastrous consequences. In this sense, continuing education is not just about knowledge — it’s about ethics. When you advise a client, it’s about ensuring you do so from a place of competence and integrity. Clients trust real estate agents to act in their best interests, and part of that trust is the expectation that their agent is fully informed. Education is how you live up to that expectation.

Real estate is an industry where knowledge and expertise directly impact your ability to generate leads, close deals, and build a reputation. Continuing education can give you the edge to differentiate yourself from competitors. Whether it’s obtaining specialized certifications, staying current on market trends, or mastering new technologies, agents who continually expand their knowledge base will be the ones who thrive in a competitive market.

In furthering RRC’s commitment to providing exemplary continuing education, I invite you to join us for one of our three courses in October to expand your knowledge base and network. All courses are available in person and virtually, and they are open to members and nonmembers alike. On Oct. 2 in San Antonio, we’ll feature CRS Instructor Kim Knapp, who will offer eight hours of CE credit for “0-60 Sales in a Year & Beyond,” with a particular focus on navigating the new NAR settlement requirements. On Oct. 7, join us for two four-hour CE credit Tyler-based classes with CRS Instructor Addie Owens: “Five Steps to Success in Any Market” and “Navigating Divorcing Clients.” On Oct. 16 in Houston, I’ll be joined by Texas RRC Past President Nicholas Chambers for “Three Secret Strategies to Rock the New Real Estate Marketplace,” offering two hours of CE credit.

Ultimately, continuing education is about more than just meeting licensing requirements or staying competitive. It’s about mastery. It’s about integrity. And it’s about providing the best possible service to clients who trust you to guide them through life’s most significant financial decisions.”

Texas REALTORS® Shaping Texas Conference is August 25

by Sonia Guardado | Jul 15, 2024 | Texas Residential Real Estate Council

The Texas REALTORS® Shaping Texas Conference is just around the corner with a full slate of courses, and Texas RRC has an exciting lineup for those heading to Grapevine next month. Join us on August 25 for our luncheon and mastermind, featuring our RRC National President, Tricia Nekota. The next day, we have two CE courses: “Serving Clients with Special Needs” and “Steal These Ideas,” both new to Texas audiences and sure to captivate. I hope to see as many Austin-area agents there as possible! Conferences like this are a fantastic opportunity to meet agents and broaden your referral network. With attendees from across the state and overseas, you will surely walk away with a hefty stack of business cards. 

But what do you do with those cards once you get home? Are you leveraging those connections or simply scanning them into your phone and forgetting about them? With so much in-state migration, these agents should be added to your CRM and placed on a follow-up plan so you can remain top of mind for months and years to come. One agent I met at a conference several years ago is a master at remaining top of mind with agents in her database, and thus, referrals make up about 35% of her annual transactions.

Stacie Duffy, with Novella Real Estate in Denver, Colorado, scans business cards into her CRM at the end of each day, noting when and where she met the agent and any Mackay 66 facts she learned while speaking to them. Each month, she calls or texts to see how the agent is doing, asks about the market, and shares information about Denver’s statistics. Every quarter, she sends a small, unbranded item of value with a branded notecard, reminding the agent of who she is and what her market area is. I have received a Wendy’s Frosty gift card, felt furniture pads, a screen cleaner, and a magnifier. All items are thin, lightweight, and easily fit in a standard greeting card envelope. She also tries to send something to surprise and delight each agent in her database each year. Stacie follows everyone on social media and when something stands out to her, she acts upon it. This year, she sent a car organizer, a hat with the agent’s dog, funny socks, and an item someone had complimented in one of her weekly tip videos. She has these delivered from Amazon and Etsy to minimize shipping costs and budgets $10-$15 per person.

In addition to the quarterly notecards, she also sends holiday and personalized birthday cards. Her cards, including the envelopes, are custom-made using Canva Create. She includes her logo on the card’s interior and exterior and signs each one for that personal touch before sealing them in her branded envelope. That brand extension is great because you know Stacie Duffy has sent something special when you see that brown-speckled envelope in the mailbox.

This month, Stacie is our featured presenter for the final installment of the Summer Sizzler Series on August 15 at 2 p.m. This virtual event will begin with networking breakouts to meet agents nationwide in a small setting. Stacie will then walk you through her agent follow-up system, including her items of value and how to create easy mailers that resonate with agents to drive referrals. We’ll end with a discussion on how to apply the techniques to your business immediately and ideas from other attendees. To register for this complimentary event, visit Texas.CRS.com.