Today we received our annual refrigerator calendar magnet from the Realtor that sold us our home back in 2004. We haven’t actually heard from or seen her since 2004, but every December we get our calendar, like clockwork.
You might have this happen too. Agents like to send these desk or refrigerator calendars to their past clients to remind them that they’re still alive and could potentially help them sell their home if the need ever arose again.
I’m not sure how effective these calendars really are. I have two listings right now where the homeowners are using other people’s calendars, but they chose to list their house with me. Hmmm. I guess the point of the calendar is just to get the homeowner to at least call the agent. Kyle and I don’t send these, but I can see it as one easy, inexpensive way for an agent to get people to try and remember them. We have other marketing activities that we do to try and accomplish that, but we can’t tell you what those are because lots of agents read this blog and we don’t want them knowing our secrets. 🙂
One troubling thing about this year’s calendar magnet was that it didn’t have the picture of our agent, but the picture of another agent from her office that I’ve never met before. Where did our agent go? Is she okay? Curious, I called her office to check in. Apparently she’s no longer licensed. Our name and address have been passed along to another agent to add to their database. We’ve become what are known as “orphan clients.” That’s what happens when your real estate agent quits, moves, passes away, etc. It’s comforting to know that we’ve been adopted by someone though. At least we’ll still keep getting our calendar!
Readers, do you get these types of things? Do you hear from your agent at other times of the year or only during the holidays?
We get something in the mail every month from the realtor who sold us our current house. For the holiday season we got a wine opener with her name, number and company. I hate this stuff. This post has inspired me to contact her office to get off the mailing list.
I don’t like getting that kind stuff either – mostly I also consider it junk. A card would be fine I guess – or better yet- an email. Saves the paper. Magnets, calendars, and that kind of stuff goes in the garbage.
PS – On the issue of realtor’s marketing, I have to say I have an odd but negative reaction when a realtor’s “glamour shot” is cradling a phone up to their ear. I’m not sure why, but it seems contrived, and oddly dated looking. Maybe its supposed to show the “tool” that is most often used in the profession – or was used in the old days – like a plumber clutching a wrench. Not sure. I do have a soft spot for photos where the realtor is clutching a cute little doggie or kitten… When we were condo hunting in Florida that seems like a popular motif among a certain set. I don’t see much of that up here.
If anything, this stuff makes me less inclined to use the agent again. I wasn’t that impressed with her when we bought this house 4+ years ago, and when I receive the junk mail from her it only serves to remind me all over again.
Sarah, thanks for the idea to call her office and ask to be removed from the list.
Sarah and Lola- Just a quick note, typically it is the agent that sends the stuff, so the office won’t necessarily be able to get you off their mailing list. You may need to contact the agent directly and ask.