I was really annoyed the other day when I ran into the courthouse for a deed, without business cards on me. I ran into a guy I used to work with. He asked what I was up to - told him - but I know by the look on his face he couldn't remember my name but didn't want to let me know (I know that look well cause I wear it often). We used to work together almost 20 years ago.

The reason I was upset about this was because he buys houses and rents them out. He was probably my first inspiration into real estate years ago - and dang, I didn't have a card to give him on the spot.

So the best tip is to NEVER leave the freaking business cards IN THE CAR - no matter where you go. You will probably miss a great opportunity to hand one out.

^^I agree Perky The best way to find and not get a hot prospect is to forget your cards! A never leave home without them.

The recovery though is to track his address down and send him a "It was great to run into today" letter and refresh his memory, and of course give him some cards.

I know exactly where he lives. I thought about doing that but thought it might be tacky. ??

You said he was your first inspiration in RE. You worked with him, he recognized you just had no idea what your name was. 20 years later you talk to him, you have a commen intrest in Real Estate, I don't find it tacky.

My wife had a teacher that inspired her. One day my wife mentioned that the house she lived in was FSBO. She has not talked to the lady in years. I got her address from tax records sent her a letter offering services, mentioned my wife etc.

The seller emailed me, she still refers to go FSBO for now, but my wife still talks to her via email all the time now. I go over and check on her property during the course of my work, she appreciates it. I arrange the lawncare for her property, she appreciates it. She offers to pay me, I decline as she is a friend and its not much trouble, she sends us giftcards for dinner out, I appreciate it.

After a year she is tired of the FSBO, tired of being a landlord, and wants to sell everything. She has deals with a couple of the renter, the rest I get.

It's tacky to beg for business. It's not tacky to offer to assist an old aquaintence with business deals (or to use your spouces SOI to further your goals).

Great post and I agree 100%.

Perky,

Have you forgotten what Buffini taught you? The handwritten note card should be sent after you talk to or run into an old acquaintance.

Like I said, I didn't want to be tacky. The last thing I need to do is appear like a desperate real estate agent. People already do not believe me when I say I'm doing well (I am. I was really excited to surpass the office top producer in closed transactions for the first quarter this year - even if only for a little while. LOL. She has another 3/4 million in pendings, I've only got a shaky 1/2 million...not sure if the one deal is going to close.)

Buffini is fine but I do not go around begging for referrals. That to me is tacky. I much prefer the SOI approach. True story:

I met with a seller yesterday in a HUGE homeowner development - the largest one in the area. She mentioned to me yesterday "Oh, I met Suzy Newhomeowner the other day - she told me you sold her her new home! She's very happy. Guess what, the guy across the street is selling and he's not happy with his agent. Give me one of your cards and I'll tell him to call you."

I gave her a few cards and thanked her very much. She just gave me a great lead without me even asking for it - because of the praise my last customer gave her - without my asking for it. "Suzy NewHomeOwner" is a SOI person. I didn't bribe her with anything to get her to brag about me - I just did a good job.

All that to say - I like what REO suggested - I may just write the guy a note and tell him how his buying/selling stories back in the day planted the seed that eventually led me into real estate. I just hope his wife doesn't think I'm coming on to him. LOL

I go to a lot of yard sales and I always ask the owner if they're selling.

My wife was at a yard sale about 5-6 years ago and someone backed into her car..that person was the president of a local bank and we ended up selling his house and getting him into another 500k one...yard sales do work:).

Dear Perky Realtor:
I'm from Ky. and I hate to admit it because I'm a broker, but I don't know much about getting leads from the net. I've been in real estate for 33 years and have just never been much on computers, but I would like to learn as I'm slowing down some and would like to prospect the net more. If you can give me any advice I'd appreciate it.

Thanks
Rusty Foley
rusty@rustyfoley.com

I can't bring myself to do the badge thing. But, ironically, I really like the Tshirt thing. Very bold and tasteful. I really like certain sports like tshirts and think I can make a shirt with my logo that yells my name. I can wear it to grocery, running, the gym, library. It's like a free billboard. I'm already thinking of catchy slogans that may gain interest.

KY Cowboy: blogging will be the best bet. learn all you can about it. Check out sites like The Real Estate Tomato and Active Rain to find "how to" articles and tips on blogging.

When you get leads do not try to close them immediately - some of them may need to be nurtured a long time before they're ready to buy.