Cultivating Real Estate Agents

Here are 12 ways home inspectors can build strong relationships with real estate agents to earn their trust and become their go-to referral:

#1: Be Available and Responsive
Real estate transactions move quickly, so make sure you’re reachable and able to schedule inspections promptly. Being flexible and accommodating can make an agent’s job easier.

#2: Be On Time With Everything
Real estate agents want to work with professionals who are responsive and punctual. If you respond promptly to requests for quotes and scheduling, show up on time to your inspection appointments, and deliver reports in a timely manner, you’ll soon be an agent’s favorite inspector.

#3: Deliver Exceptional Service
Be exceptional in everything you do, from the reports you write, to your positive attitude during inspections. Make working with you amazing.

#4: Follow Up with a Thank You
Send a personalized thank-you note or email after each referral and inspection. Small gestures of appreciation show agents that their referrals are valued.

#5: Educate Agents on the Inspection Process
Make your trusted agents look smart and educated by educating them on the inspection process. Send helpful articles, give them a heads up when something serious comes up in an inspection so they aren’t surprised, offer to host a lunch and learn at their office to explain what’s new when inspecting homes, especially tech-heavy homes.

#6: Provide Clear and Concise Reports
Use modern software to deliver detailed yet easy-to-understand inspection reports. Agents appreciate reports that inform without alarming their clients unnecessarily.

#7: Network at Real Estate Events
Attend real estate association meetings, open houses, and local networking events to introduce yourself to agents and establish a personal connection. Follow up with every agent you meet.

#8: Share Valuable Content
Provide agents with useful resources, such as maintenance checklists for homeowners or updates on industry trends. This positions you as a knowledgeable and helpful partner. Don’t send too many emails or texts; agents are busy people!

#9: Respect the Agent-Client Relationship
Always act professionally and maintain strict confidentiality. Agents need to trust that you’ll represent them well and respect their client relationships. And definitely respect an agent’s wish if they ask you to NOT contact their client directly.

#10: Request Testimonials and Referrals
When you’ve built a strong relationship with an agent, ask them to write a testimonial or refer you to colleagues. Word-of-mouth from respected agents is invaluable. Agents may not think to refer you, so ask.

#11: Be a Problem Solver, Not a Deal Breaker
Focus on delivering solutions rather than just pointing out problems. Agents value inspectors who help clients understand issues without creating unnecessary alarm, facilitating smoother transactions.

#12: Make it Easy to Find You
If a real estate agent met you at an event and can’t find your business card, how easy is it to find you? Make sure your profile in the ASHI Find an Inspector is update, keep your LInkedIn profile current, and make sure your website has accurate information and fresh content.

By combining outstanding service with genuine relationship-building efforts, you can position yourself as an indispensable partner to real estate agents.

Looking for a home inspector to assess your prospective property can be a daunting task. Fortunately, the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) can help simplify the process.

 

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