A couple of weeks ago I received this email (used with permission):
Dear Mrs. Rome, 
I don't know if you remember me. My name is Kaliq Simms, and about six months ago, we happened to be getting gas at the same station on Reisterstown Rd. I recognized your name on your license plate. You had been the seller's realtor for a house we contemplated buying about six years ago when we were shopping for our current home.
I was so impressed with your professionalism and great personality. We ended up buying another home (no fault of yours, of course), but I continued to visit your website periodically over the years, as I knew we would eventually want to sell our current starter home. Long story short, you gave me your number at the gas station that day and told me to call you when we decided to sell. Well, we've decided :)!
I hope we can work together. We need a speedy and smooth sale because we have found the house we want to buy. We are already pre-qualified and have a realtor for the buy-side of this transaction. Please call us as soon as possible. Thank you!
That Saturday I went on a listing appointment, and though they said they absolutely wanted to use me, they also said they wanted their attorney to look over the listing agreement. I told them, "Absolutely, and here is what he'll say: he'll tell you the commission is too high and the term is too long, and that you shouldn't sign it."
While they were waiting to hear from the attorney, as a surprise for this delightful young family I put their home on my website with no address, no price, and a "Coming Soon!" heading. Later that week they reported that the lawyer said exactly what I predicted, but after thinking it over some more…they listed their home with me. Up went the listing on MLS, up went the listing on Active Rain, and we've had three showings already, one with good interest.
I've always insisted on showing my own properties whenever possible. Six years ago, a showing that did not lead to a sale created an impression. And today I have a listing for 7529 Rockridge Road, Pikesville, MD because of it.
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Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome, HomeRome.com Baltimore Listing Agent, ABR,ACRE(tm),CRS,e-PRO,RECS,PMN,SRES, iSucceed Mentor,CAP Floyd Wickman Starmaker CyberStar(tm), CyberPro 410-530-2400
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Good for you, I like the idea of Coming Soon I think I am going to start using that. Good Luck
Margaret, that is so encouraging, I'm happy for you. You've mainly done market reports and localism lately so I haven't been commenting but reading. Good luck !
Great story Margaret. Love the license plate. Do you also have signs on your car?
This is a great story and what a great listing to have!! It is darling and in immaculate condition. Price look right too. You should have it sold for them in no time.
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Margaret, That is something I love about this business...it comes from anywhere...it comes from everywhere. I stopped my car a couple of weeks ago in front a man who looked lost in my neighborhood. He wasn't dressed right to be on a walk and he was just standing there. I rolled my window down and said, "Are you lost"? He said, "No, my buddy's picking me up but thanks...I can't believe you were nice enough to stop and check up on me". I said, "no big deal". He said, "Hey, do you have a card"? I gave him my business card and he's called twice about buying another condo in same location...you just never know.
Margaret - what a darling house! I just know that one's going to sell quickly!
Margaret - what a great story! We just never know when, where, or how people will come into our lives, and this is a perfect example of just that! You obviously made a great impression on them, and now you have a great listing as testament to that - way to go!
Hope you have a nice smooth sale before too long!
Ann
It's always nice to hear a success story. It also makes you realize how you act as a Realtor can have an effect years later. Good luck with your listing.
Rebecca, Let me know how it works for you.
Missy, Thank you and thank you for reading!!
Rolando, No signs on the car, just the plates.
Debbie, Thanks, I really love this home, the sellers and the immaculate condition.
Shannon, Good story! You showed your concern, you showed that you cared.
Linda, This is a darling house and I hope we find the right buyer soon.
Ann,I was so pleased when Kaliq remembered me from 6 years ago. They are a wonderful family and I am honored to be their agent.
Joyce, Over night success is not what this business is all about. Thank you for the stopping by.
Margaret -- branding works along with professionalism --thxs for sharing.
Great success story, love to hear that, I also like your idea of the coming soon pictures on your website.
Aziz, Thanks for stopping by. Branding plus professionalism = a winning combination.
Michael, Thanks for your kind comments and glad you like this idea.
Congrats on being such a good networker! I'm taking notes!
Dena, I think I am following your example. Would you please share you notes with me?
Margaret, Congratulations on your listing. I know that you will sell it fast for them!
Thank you Sheri, I sure hope you are right!!
Oh I love happy endings with years ago leads that turned into something! Now that is what I call following through. Pretty neat.
This is a wonderful story Margaret. You just never know when something is going to come from just a part of your day - even if it is WAY down the road. I am glad you wrote about it.
Great personalities always attract the business! That's why it's a people business no matter how much is spent on trying to replace REALTORS!
I'm a big fan of the "list it before it's actually listed" scenario. My office deal with many foreclosures. After the BPO's and before the bank actually gives us a price they want it listed at, I'm holding Open Houses and marketing the houses on Craigslist. Many times we get an offer well before we have a List Price.
Great story and it does go to show us that we need to have conversations with the people around us, you just never know where it will lead to.
Another evidence of how professionlism can enhance your business. The license plate is a great touch.
Great license plate! Someone suggested that I put signage on my vehicle regarding insurance and I thought better of it. Putting an auto insurance Co. might lead to a stop and rear end accident here in Ca. lol
But it is amazing how we become our jobs. When we love what we do, it becomes so natural to talk about our business in the oddest situations.
Very cute "dollhouse" good luck on your sale!
What we do follows us around - sometimes we don't know it. This time it came home to roost. Good job.
Margaret,
My old manager told me a story about a family she helped move with a truck...a few years later their children called to thank her and give her 5 yrd of free food at the restuarnat chanin her parents owned before they died for being so kind. It was a famous restuarant. And then they let her sell their house too.
Isn't this type of relationship a wonderful reaffirmation that you are doing a great job and make a wonderful impression on those around you? Great job Margaret.
Good story. It's a testament to your image and hard work. Congratulations!
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Great story. People remember you when you do a stellar job. I have had people call me from 2 or 3 yrs ago that couldn't qualify and now they want to try again.... It makes me feel like I did a good job the first time.
I think that coming soon idea is great. This post just shows people that you can never tell where your next clients might come from.
Margaret, Great Story. Congratulations! Reminds us that we are representing our business at all times, including when we are at the gas station filling the car with gas.
That is a great story, Margaret. Just another example of how you never know when a connection might lead to business down the road. Good luck selling the home quickly at a great price.
Jeff
Margaret, congratulations...impressions stick with a person and this is obvious proof of just that. Doesn't surprise those of us who have had an internet connection with you, however. I'm sure that you will be selling this home quickly for your Seller at the best possible price. Great story!
Margaret, I think you have done the best job of branding yourself that I've ever seen. A year or so after showing some of your listings, I immediately remembered you when I signed onto Active Rain for the first time. Congratulations on the new listing!
Margaret: Congrats on your listing and for your post and for reminding me that I am always on duty.
Yes, YES, YES! We can blog our brains out, drip email, have fancy cards and presentations, but this is a PEOPLE business. It's YOU, and your professionalism that got you this listing. This is a PEOPLE business and a personal business.
Thank you for a great post and a perfect reminder of this. Good luck with the listing.
That's excellent Margaret. We just never know where business is going to come from. I've had calls from folks who picked up my card on an airplane from a British tourist that gave it to them. 8 years later they called wanting to but a house!!!! It also shows why it is so important to not change your phone numbers. We've had our business number for 22 years!!! It's the same number we had when we owned a guest service company. When we moved we bought the number so it goes with us where ever we go.
Margaret, This story speaks volumes about your ability to convey your professionalism and leave a lasting impression. I wish we could do "coming soon" in our state but I don't think the Northwest Multiple approves that kind of thing. It does the heart good when someone is either referred to you or returns as a client after a few years. You know you're doing something right!
Great story...I agree I always like to show all my properties you really get a better feel of the parties involved (other Realtor and Buyer) and I am able to guide by Seller's if an offer does come along or just in general.
Sally, Thanks for your comments and understanding how important to understand follow up.
Steve, i am glad that I wrote about this.
And look,this just got a featured gold star. Thank you moderators..Did you not read this? Please Don't Throw Me Any More Gold Stars
Paul Francis, We are going to be very hard to replace.
Nancy, Foreclosures are marketed a bit different. Interesting to get an offer before a price is established.
Linda, You are so right. Kindness goes a long way.
Jennifer, I had that licence plate before I even got into real estate. Just added the web address to the plate holder.
Terri, Yes, it is apparent when we love what we do! Thank you.
Judi, What a good lesson..."what we do follows us around..."
Neal, You do Get by Giving! Thanks for sharing with us.
Kris, We all love affirmations. Thanks so much.
Al, Thank you, I appreciate your comment.
Tom, You did a good job the first time and special people remember.
Wayne, You are so right! We never know where we will meet good people. Being prepared is important.
Ruth, Thanks! I am just glad I got to the gas station before I ran out.
Jeff, I have another showing tomorrow and a call back from an agent with some serious interest.
Gena, you have such a nice way with words.
Patricia, Wow, thank you for remembering.
Jessica, Thank you. We are always on "duty".
Tracey, And a yes, yes to you. This is a people business. It is wonderful to have such good people in our lives! Thank you for the comment.
Bryant, Good idea to keep your phone number. Mine is the same from my single days and you know how long I've been married.. 14326 days.
Scott, Thanks! You might want to read Yes, I DO!
Irene, I appreciate this comment: " It does the heart good when someone is either referred to you or returns as a client after a few years. You know you're doing something right!"
What a marvellous story Margaret! A lot of success is simply continuing to do the right things well, consistently, over time. Eventually you reap the well deserved results. Best wishes for a quick and successful sale and closing!
Terrific story; thanks for sharing! I love the "Coming Soon" idea and will try that out! It's so rewarding when an oppty presents itself out of thin air! I also loved the upfront comment back to them about what the attorney would say...next time I'm asked that's the answer I'll give!
Margaret, I liked your answer when they wanted to consult their lawyer. Brilliant - taking the shock out what you knew the attorney would say.
Lola, How true ! "A lot of success is simply continuing to do the right things well, consistently, over time. Eventually you reap the well deserved results."
Sarah and Brian, Over time we learn to meet the objections head on. I did suggest that the lawyer was welcome to call me while reviewing the listing agreement. It was not an easy decision for the sellers to go against the attorney's suggestion.
That is wonderful. Someone keeping track of your website for all of those years, you must have made quite the impression.
You just never know where something will come from, So it's always important to be making a good impression.
Margaret,
Congrats on the listing. That's what some realtors forget is that you never know where you might find your future client. Always impress it may take months or years to get them to contact you but your story proves they will. Great story.
Dacia, I like your name. Welcome to Active Rain. There are so many people who are willing to help you get started.
Ronda, Thank you. Those of us who are "seasoned" agents know that this is not "overnight" success but is built one client at time!
Margaret - What a cool story! I like what you told the couple about their attorney. I find it funny how there are so many attorneys that love to make comments such as those. You were very smart in preparing your client to hear the standard line of jargon. Best of luck getting the place SOLD!
Bob and Carolin, Let;s all continue to make good impressions.
Bill, Glad you liked the cool story. Preparing clients for what is going to happen is what we all should be striving toward.
Good story! I wish you (and myself) stories like this to come true more often :)
Edite, And I wish us both the same. Thanks for taking the time to stop by!
You never know you are planting a seed for the future. Six years ago you knew that you would still need business today. You did everything right. Keep up the good work.
Vicky, We all have to continue to "plant the seeds if we want our gardens to grow". Thank you for taking time to stop by.
What a great story. You just never know how long someone will remember you when you make a good impression.
Gregory, This kind of story should be an incentive to make us all aware that we are "ON" all the time. Thanks for stopping by.
Great Idea, thanks for sharing. Just goes to show first impressions are lasting impressions. You certainly made yours a good one!
Dawn, Thanks for stopping by. I really like these sellers. They are a wonderful family!
And this beautiful home is now under contract!!! Settlement is scheduled for October 22nd. I have two other buyers, on stand by, who also loved this home.