With today’s technology, working with out-of-town buyers isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Using a few simple tips, you can help remote buyers feel like they’ve seen a property—and the local area—in person.
1. Get Interactive. The video and photo quality on most smartphones—as well as the variety of video apps currently available—make it easy to show a property to a remote client. Take your client on a live, virtual tour of the home using FaceTime or Skype and point out signature features on-the-go. You can find a list of the top 10 video recording apps for real estate agents here.
2. Virtually Tour the Neighborhood. Even if your client can’t drive down the street to see the area themselves, you can provide a comprehensive list that includes local highlights and points of interest. Since you’re familiar with both the neighborhood and the client, be sure to personalize it based in their specific needs. For a young family, you might want to include nearby schools, parks, and the number of children living on a particular street. For an outdoorsy couple, you can provide information on trails and hikes. If there’s a cute shopping area close to the property your client is interested in, make a video of that too.
3. Provide Resources at a Glance. Make a list of crucial contacts your client will need. Nearby professionals like doctors and dentists, as well as recommendations on the best mechanic or shoe repair shop will make your client feel more comfortable about moving to a new area.
Working with out-of-town buyers can be challenging, but following these tips will help you become a trusted resource to your clients and help you close more deals as well.
You can also help your out-of-town buyer find a listing agent for their property with ReferralExchange. ReferralExchange will match them with three agents who best fit their needs and handle all of the paperwork, processing and follow-up. Best of all, you receive a 25 percent referral fee once the deal closes. The service works for clients moving out of your area as well.
For more information, visit www.referralexchange.com.
