It’s time for another deep dive into real estate closings! You worked so hard to get here so let’s make sure you do it right. This episode gives you tips and advice for preparing, participating and following up after your client’s real estate closing. We are giving you the list of things you don’t want to forget to do before and after closing. Want to hear what Alissa forgot to do on her recent closing? Curious why Katy got a barrage of angry texts from another agent after closing? Tune in to hear these stories plus get all of your closing process questions answered. Don’t end up at the closing table looking lost or forgetting important items on your checklist. We are here to make sure you show up prepared and ready to get through closing like a true professional!

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The following is a rough transcript provided by Otter.ai.

Unknown
Alyssa. Hey, Katie. How’s it going? Fine, fine. Will you take us in to this episode, please? Closing time. This is episode 238 and this episode is called Closing Time. Closing Time. And honestly, when we went to make notes for it, I discovered that we had an episode called All About Closings at way back in number 32.

00:00:57:21 – 00:01:20:23
Unknown
And then I realized that you just wanted to record this episode so you could sing the song Closing Time. Like, you don’t have to go home, but you can stay here. So thanks to Semisonic for that banger. Yeah. And I will quickly throw out a side note. I once read an article that that song was not about the bar closing.

00:01:20:25 – 00:01:40:04
Unknown
What’s it about? The end of it. Like they were about to have a baby. And it was like closing time. Like you got to get out of this uterus. my gosh. You just said the word uterus on our podcast. Whatever you want to say. That’s where the baby was. my gosh. That’s weird. It’s very the article I read, was it really changed?

00:01:40:04 – 00:02:05:24
Unknown
That’s which is why I think it’s even funnier. They’re like, I just really want to say in closing. But anyway, today we’re going to discuss closing time and as a beginning to this, I will say yes. Number 32 Episode 32 aired on March 16th of 2020. If anyone remembers March 16th, but I feel like on March 15th, pretty much the other shoe dropped.

00:02:05:24 – 00:02:29:10
Unknown
Like this is when they’re like, Go home from school, Bye bye. No more, no more school. So way back in the day. We actually, in this episode, I think very briefly touch on like our closing is going to be fully what’s going to happen. Did you like, like sign away digital or whatever. So anyhow, that’s the but, but still the brunt of what you do to prepare during and after closing is the same.

00:02:29:11 – 00:02:48:10
Unknown
And you know, another reason why I thought it would be good to revisit, you know, how like we do podcast therapy to help ourselves. Did you have a problem? I do. What did you forget to do? I forgot the wood destroying insect. I hate when I do this. I’ve done it so many times. It’s been so long since I had a client.

00:02:48:10 – 00:03:08:09
Unknown
Someone write it in to an offer and you were like, Oops. And I just forgot. And we’re at the. And that’s the other thing. This so embarrassing ever asked for it and nobody asked for it. And then we’re at the closing table and the other agent’s like, Do you have the termite certificate? And I’m just like, Nope, I do not.

00:03:08:12 – 00:03:31:00
Unknown
I do not. How did you handle that? The other agent was not very kind or gracious and try, you know, just kept pointing out that I forgot this. And can we even close? And the title attorney, thank goodness, was like, yes, we can still close. Like, it’s just it was a cash sale. So we that’s we didn’t even need it.

00:03:31:05 – 00:03:51:23
Unknown
You know, that’s why there’s no lender to step in and say, where is it? That’s why you’re right. That’s why I think about that. Okay. So I stepped out of the closing and called my termite guy, termite guy and was like, I forgot. And they were like, Yep. They went right then. Did they get you the certificate before closing was over?

00:03:51:24 – 00:04:17:20
Unknown
After what did the title attorney say would have been the result if something came up negative in that report? I know we didn’t even talk about it. gosh. Okay. I would have had to. The thing is, I just knew that wasn’t going to be the case because it’s under contract. And just recently before we listed it, he was like, should I renew my they’re coming to treat it for the inspection.

00:04:17:23 – 00:04:37:04
Unknown
Should I? And he did, and he did. So it’s just been treated. Just been it just wasn’t one I was worried about. Right. But I guess anything could happen and contractually speaking, I mean, the buyer could have said, I don’t want to close right now. Yeah. I mean, but still, the buyer was like, I don’t care. And the agent was like, You do care.

00:04:37:04 – 00:04:59:08
Unknown
Which she was good. She was doing her job. Right, right, right, right. Okay. But I forgot it, so I thought maybe everybody could use a little closing refresher. There’s so much to do. A little refresh. I know I didn’t bring my checklist with me, but there are things like Let’s start with your checklist. Closing is approaching for you as an agent.

00:04:59:08 – 00:05:24:02
Unknown
Let’s go a week out because I think a day before is too late for some things. When the appraisal gets scheduled, that’s usually when I start the process of the closing check, like talk us through your process. So sometimes I’ll even like when the appraisal appointment comes through my email, I’ll go ahead and type the emails that I need sent and maybe even snooze them for five days like schedule send for five days from now.

00:05:24:04 – 00:05:46:05
Unknown
So it may be just slightly too early to remind them to do utilities and things like that. But I might at that time also send the listing agent an email or my seller’s email and ask the status of any repairs. How’s it going? Just a reminder, can we back up to the termite certificate incident? It was your listing.

00:05:46:05 – 00:06:07:25
Unknown
Yes. In the beginning though, when you took the contract, you told the seller they had to get a termite certificate and so you weren’t the only one who dropped like, correct. Everybody forgot about it. Yeah, I did not remind them about the termite certificate, but we had that conversation in the beginning. Yeah. And I used the template saying, here’s the terms of the offer.

00:06:07:25 – 00:06:27:10
Unknown
It it was right there. Yeah, I even put in there. So feel free to call ABC Pest Control to get that. And you told them who to call. Yeah, I just, I think that’s why it escaped my brain because I put the ball in someone else’s call and didn’t follow up. Follow up? That’s okay. That’s okay. All right.

00:06:27:10 – 00:07:01:14
Unknown
But so you’re your schedule sending these things? Yeah. When the appraisal is scheduled. I like to start thinking about closing. Okay. What else do I need to request? A deposit check. You know, nowadays in our market, we’re seeing them held more at the title companies. So when you say request it, you mean if you were the listing agency and the buyer’s contract said they were providing a deposit that your broker was holding and they’re going to request, you have to ask for the broker to produce that deposit for you to take to closing.

00:07:01:14 – 00:07:15:23
Unknown
Correct. You know, they have to process all of that. Yeah. So they like at least a day or two notice they don’t care how if it’s a week, they just don’t want it to be the morning of. Right. So you can do it a little bit more in advance. Yeah. So it’s okay to do. You can be proactive.

00:07:15:24 – 00:07:36:11
Unknown
Yes. Okay. Request deposit closing gifts. You just start thinking about that. Now, how soon you start start thinking about that. If you’re doing like a photo book of their house, how much lead time do you need? So I have started just getting photo books when I get the pictures. Yeah. So even if they fire you, you’re like, Here’s your book.

00:07:36:11 – 00:07:56:06
Unknown
Here’s an example. I had a client. There’s an example. I had a client, and it’s not a bad story. She’s a good friend. They were looking on and off for a few years. We didn’t look at a ton of things because they knew what they wanted and they were in a very small area that they wanted to be in.

00:07:56:08 – 00:08:17:20
Unknown
They loved their house. Okay. So they I mean, they love their house, location. They did not love their house. It was an older house. The stairway was like right in the middle. So there’s nothing you could really do about the layout. Okay. We went on head and got the house photo ready and got pictures done so that when we find where they’re going, we can quickly list their house.

00:08:17:20 – 00:08:40:16
Unknown
That’s great. Fast forward like three years. They have decided to tear their house down and they’re going to build on their land. my. But how perfect that I had these photos. So you sent them a book? Send them a book, and they were even like, I’m so sorry that we voice. And I said, Y’all, it’s fine. It is fine.

00:08:40:16 – 00:09:04:21
Unknown
I’m so happy for you. You were never going to find something. This is what you needed to do. But I sort of knew that the whole time, like I knew it was on the table, that it was an option. So I just thought, you know, I would. That’s what I would do. So I mailed it to them and I mailed it to her mother in law’s house because that’s where they were living, because their house was torn down.

00:09:04:25 – 00:09:27:25
Unknown
I can’t go there while they’re building and just said, I’m really happy for y’all and I’m so thankful we took these pictures. Yeah. And so here you go. Like you’ll you’ll the house will never look like this again. I love that. The first thing you thought of when your client, who then was never going to be your client because you weren’t going to sell their house and they weren’t going to buy a house, you immediately said, Wait, I have photos.

00:09:27:25 – 00:09:49:26
Unknown
I’ll send you a book. I just would like everyone to really take a moment and think about how that activity didn’t make you any money. They weren’t technically a client who closed on anything, but they will always send you referrals. They will always remember that and they feel bad that they didn’t use you. You did work for them, but you were like, you know, at the end of this great is just what needed to happen, she said.

00:09:49:26 – 00:10:08:13
Unknown
My mother in law came home and I was crying at the kitchen island looking at the book, and she was like, What are you doing? And I said, This book, I love her. So I’ve started no matter what. Like I have one that we took it off the market and I don’t know if I’m going to get it back, but I have the book ready to go.

00:10:08:13 – 00:10:34:27
Unknown
Yeah. And I plan to just watch the house. And even when it sells, even if it doesn’t sell with me and I’m going to send it and be like, I saw you finally close on. Here you go. And I just wanted to say congratulations. Okay, That’s wonderful. I have sort of that’s a new part of my processes. When I get a when I get listing photos back, I get a book made, like whether it closes one day or not, they would probably like to have their photos, I would think.

00:10:34:29 – 00:10:57:14
Unknown
Yeah, in most cases. Okay, I love that. So that closing gift, you got to do some lead time. Yeah. All right. What else are you doing to prepare? That’s kind of it right there. I mean, you’re collecting the receipts. yeah, Well, checking in on repairs, making sure everything’s good. But at that point, too, it’s really time to look at the buyer and seller approach in closing emails.

00:10:57:14 – 00:11:20:04
Unknown
Yes. Which is in the email templates. And so it kind of outlines everything. What’s going to happen, you know, it reminds them about utilities, what’s going to happen if they has to have questions who they need to ask. I find that approaching closing, sometimes I get questions like how much will my check be? And I’m like, Actually that you would need to ask your lender or the title company, right?

00:11:20:06 – 00:11:42:14
Unknown
Or they they’re asking questions about their pay off. So that has some reminders in it to the approaching closing checklist on who’s going to send you what. You know, it’s trying to answer their questions before they ask them. I feel like you have to send this email almost. It’s a week for sure. Out. Yeah. And sometimes, like the real preparers, they’re going to start asking these questions even before that.

00:11:42:17 – 00:11:57:15
Unknown
yeah. So then I’m like, Woohoo! I’ll just go ahead and send you the email so that, you know. But yeah, they have to plan for the utilities and for getting their cashier’s check for closing. And what do you need to bring? We have to bring a current ID. Is your ID current? Do you need to renew your driver’s license.

00:11:57:15 – 00:12:19:26
Unknown
Yeah. You know so all of that stuff now the seller side, we actually have an episode number 148 that is sellers listing to closing. So it does go through the full checklist of what we’re doing for sellers. But let’s talk a little bit about what is in the seller approach in closing emails. So that one that’s going out the week before.

00:12:19:28 – 00:12:43:01
Unknown
Okay, remember to get the title company to send you the closing disclosure. You as an agent are doing that right? You need to check the numbers, but you’re also making sure the seller checks the numbers don’t show up to closing and have the seller just seeing the numbers for the first time. I am always so proud when the title attorney says to my seller or buyer, Do we need to go over these numbers and details or have you reviewed this already?

00:12:43:03 – 00:13:08:10
Unknown
And they always say, we have reviewed it, we know what it is. And I’m like, rightful music to my ears. Yeah, because you have to tell the seller to check the payoff. I don’t know that I have. Also, more and more lately, people are questioning the payoff. They see a certain number online, but when you request a pay off, it also includes maybe either a few fees or pro-rated interest payments at the base of this.

00:13:08:13 – 00:13:29:29
Unknown
Do not remember that they got their first months mortgage for free air quotes because mortgages are paid in arrears. That means I live there for a month. Then my mortgage is due. I don’t pay it like rent and then I stay for a month. It’s vice versa. Yes. Right. So at closing, I love when people are like, well, I just pay my mortgage.

00:13:29:29 – 00:13:46:04
Unknown
I’m like, Great, That was for last month. Yeah. So if you’re closing like halfway through the month, you still have 15 days of interest or the whole whatever principal and interest to pay, right? And they’re like, but that’s not what my I like. No, you’re not listening. You have been there. So that means you have to pay for it.

00:13:46:04 – 00:14:08:10
Unknown
You don’t pay. It’s the exact opposite of rents. Yeah. You about the rent. You stay there. You mortgage, you stay there for a month, then you pay. Yeah. So I feel like there’s always questions about that. And I just don’t want there to be questions at the table in front of everyone. No, and I’d rather them get that number and ask that question of the title attorney than me have to break the bad news that yeah, I mean, like, that’s just not how it works.

00:14:08:13 – 00:14:27:19
Unknown
So it really depends on what time part of the month you’re closing. Okay. And then obviously scheduling the closing is really between the seller and the title company, but or attorney or however you close where you are. But you’re you’re letting them know a week in advance that’s who’s going to schedule that. I don’t need you to reach out to me and be like, Well, I need it now.

00:14:27:19 – 00:14:47:22
Unknown
Yes. Do I orchestrate closing times all the time? The seller’s like, Well, it has to be on a monday or it has to be this time of day or whatever. Okay. The repairs. When do you remind them about the repairs? Your seller yourself feel like it’s along the way? Yeah. You’re like, Hey, what’s going on? And most of the time I’m trying to do money, of course, instead of repair.

00:14:47:22 – 00:15:11:14
Unknown
But yeah, for the ones that aren’t definitely when the appraisal is ordered, it’s just my reminder to check in on everything there. Yeah. In the email it’s reminding them to bring the the they have to provide you the receipts so if they did any and it’s reminding them that the buyers are going to walk through most are the reasons why sellers get angry or simply because you didn’t tell them what the process was.

00:15:11:22 – 00:15:25:26
Unknown
Well, I’m in the middle of packing. Why are they coming over here? I’m like, Yeah, they’re surprised that there’s a final walkthrough. Will they have to come and make sure the house is still there and thus email tablets were bought, right? And then the number one that will just jam you up at a heart in a big hurry.

00:15:25:28 – 00:15:42:28
Unknown
You have to leave your utilities. On whether you moved out three days before closing or three weeks or three years ago and the utilities were in your tenant’s name and now they’re gone. You’ve got to turn the utilities on. Yes, like they have to be on. And I think that sellers get tripped up by that all the time.

00:15:42:28 – 00:16:01:09
Unknown
They do. Yeah. Okay. And then we provide a move out checklist that goes with that email template. And then the seller kind of has their list because like, hey, remember you said the refrigerator staying and you need to leave the this list. Curtains and rods and all that stuff are in the Louisiana contract Like don’t you can’t take that stuff right.

00:16:01:16 – 00:16:26:16
Unknown
Have to remind them okay what else you got. I think that when I think about the closing table, I always think back to the episode we did. 129 being a great cooperating agent. Yeah, but the title attorney that the title attorneys that we sent the email to asking like, what do you wish agents didn’t do? And what are things that you wish went smoother at the closing table?

00:16:26:23 – 00:16:53:13
Unknown
I always remember reading their feedback and going, I, I just hope that every agent listens to this. Yeah, because we’re not just trying to be professional in front of our clients. We have title attorneys watching how we operate our business. We have mortgage lenders watching how we operate our business, right? So if you’re going to be super late or if this is a very emotional closing for something, my head’s up.

00:16:53:16 – 00:17:13:01
Unknown
Give the title company a heads up. Do we need to be in separate rooms with something forgotten? You know, what do we need to do to make this go as smoothly as possible? I loved I think the tip in that one was also about showing them where to sit or asking where it would be appropriate instead of the title attorney having to walk in.

00:17:13:01 – 00:17:28:29
Unknown
And it’s awkward like, I’m sorry, you need to move around. Yes. no, this is the seller side or let’s just ask them where they want us to go and what they want us to do. I would like to talk about during the closing though, and the title attorney, the lenders are all watching you. The things agents do.

00:17:28:29 – 00:17:44:27
Unknown
In closing, I am like, What are you actually doing? I get self-conscious if I just talk to my lender too much. Yeah, I’m like, I want to make sure I’m talking to my client, but that I’m not distracting them from what they need to do. I definitely don’t want to get to buddy buddy with the opposing buyer seller.

00:17:44:27 – 00:18:00:13
Unknown
Yeah, especially not if they’re not talking to their agent because I want to step on those toes. Right? Right. So I’m like, you have to I think there’s there’s like a good like the Goldilocks amount of talking. Yes. You need to be friendly. Talk to the people, be there to answer questions, but mostly just sit there and shut up.

00:18:00:13 – 00:18:20:19
Unknown
But also that doesn’t mean you can scroll your phone or take out your computer and start working. That’s weird to me to like, be present and be available if your client needs you. Yeah, there are some lenders that want to like, but in yeah. Or and then I’m also a little bit self-conscious about I want to talk to the attorney.

00:18:20:19 – 00:18:37:26
Unknown
Maybe I know them. And so, like, it’s like a dance. How much is okay to make it like everyone’s having a fun time? It’s about when they’re buying a house for them, not about me. If I really need to talk to the attorney or the lender about something I can stay after, like I don’t have to talk in front of all the other parties.

00:18:37:26 – 00:19:00:01
Unknown
Yeah, and depending on I mean, when I’m at the title company that I use regularly, I’m more way more laid back and don’t talk much at all. But there have certainly been some where I am almost hovering and going. This means that they don’t sell your personal information. You know, if the title attorney or representative isn’t relating it.

00:19:00:01 – 00:19:20:04
Unknown
Well, yes, I want to make sure that they understand what it is or if something isn’t explained. Well, I want to be able to give clarification. Yeah. And then you also have to be mindful of like, what is your client saying directly to the other party if you’re in the same room, like, do we really want to hash it out about repairs at the closing table?

00:19:20:04 – 00:19:45:24
Unknown
No, not if we can help it. Right. I don’t really want you to start buying and selling furniture at the table. I find that sellers at the closing table get nervous and start rambling and start saying things like, that outside patio fan. It actually doesn’t work. And so you have to do this jiggle switch. And I’m just like, no, if it zipper tight now.

00:19:45:24 – 00:20:05:13
Unknown
Yeah, it’s like they just start word vomiting all the things that they Yeah and there is a difference between the buyers saying hey can you tell us what this switch does. Yeah. And you being like, here’s every little crack in the house I ever asked you, they had How do you feel when they exchanged numbers like the buyer and the seller?

00:20:05:14 – 00:20:26:21
Unknown
Go for it. Remove me. Yeah. I’m happy for you to be. You can coordinate getting your mail to me that. Thank you. Because to me, that is a symbol that they understand that I’m not the intermediary for life. I was the intermediary for this transaction. Like you are adults, right? You didn’t just turn green. I’m like something weird.

00:20:26:27 – 00:20:50:08
Unknown
it turned off. It died. That’s our light died. These tubes are no problem. It. It. My thing is, you are adults. If you get the other person’s mail, it is kind behavior to text that person and say, Hey, I have your mail. And then you say, okay, I will come and get it not to call me and be like, Hey, I have the mail, which is fine if you do it once, because I’ll be like, I’m going to get you the number or I’m going to.

00:20:50:08 – 00:21:06:28
Unknown
And we talked about that in our Q&A. I think, don’t be the mailman. How do you do it every time? But I will find out, like if you didn’t exchange numbers, then I’m having to go to the other person’s agent. Hey, you know, mail’s there. Do you want to tell your people I like this is a lot of people getting involved just to fix a package that went to the wrong address.

00:21:06:28 – 00:21:28:00
Unknown
Right. But get numbers. Yeah. Exchange. I don’t know how the pool pump works. Talk to the seller. I don’t know how it works either. No, I have no clue. So I don’t. Does it bother you? No, no, I think it’s fine. And it also it removes you in a way that I think is appropriate when things do come up later.

00:21:28:00 – 00:21:47:14
Unknown
I don’t really want the buyer coming to me. Whether I’m the listing agent or their agent, and being like, this happened at the house and I’m so bad. I’m like, But okay, this is a great I had in my notes that because this episode, we’re not just talking about the actual closing but like what happens after closing too.

00:21:47:16 – 00:22:16:01
Unknown
And what I found was that I when you check in after closing like a week or two, they’re living in the home and they’re starting to just learn the quirks of a home. Yeah. You know, and sometimes it’s not that they were bad, bad things about the house, but it was very rare that they were always like, everything is perfect and we’re just as excited as we were the day we signed the papers.

00:22:16:01 – 00:22:38:27
Unknown
Right? It’s like, some things popped up. Yeah, a few things. The home ownership is a lot of work. You know, I’m really tired because I’ve painted the entire house, right? So it’s like sometimes after closing, I felt like I was getting nervous to check in and keep the follow up going because I thought me and more times than not, it’s it’s not a negative.

00:22:38:28 – 00:22:59:23
Unknown
They’re in a season of stress. Yeah. And what strikes me like you’re you’re closing is so blissful. Yeah. Then you get a paintbrush in your hand. Yeah, right. Ah, you’re just realizing you have to change over all these different things and, like, you know, figure out the lawn like, so, like all the things you’re figuring out the house, unpacking in itself is stressful.

00:22:59:24 – 00:23:25:24
Unknown
Yeah, you did like, right? Right. So then you don’t. But you should follow up. Yeah, but let’s talk about how you immediately follow up. Like, what is your follow up plan after closing? So after closing day, it’s time to ask for reviews and also to ask for referrals. So I do have an email that goes out letting them know where I would like the reviews and if they would please leave me a review.

00:23:25:24 – 00:23:48:09
Unknown
Absolutely. And then I’ll probably send a separate one that says like if you have any friends or family. Also at the closing table. On that note, I’m asking them for anybody’s information that was joined us along the way. Owner Yes, I love that. So, hey, your dad came to a bunch of showings with us to the address. I want to send him a thank you card, right?

00:23:48:16 – 00:24:06:04
Unknown
Things like that. Who was there? Who did I meet through these clients. And on a seller side, like, I had this one client that I had to. They lived out of town, but the house had a pool, and it was kind of complicated to keep a pool perfect when you don’t live there. Yeah, I met the pool guy.

00:24:06:07 – 00:24:26:22
Unknown
By the end of it, I’m like, Hey, Frank, He’s now in my database cause I had to meet him so many times. Who did you meet in the transaction that could get a card from you? The landscaper. Thank you for keeping the yard so nice. Well, I had the property on the market. I just want to let you know it closed, but I gave your number to the buyers.

00:24:26:24 – 00:24:46:09
Unknown
I love that. Why do we need to? Do you know, who do we need to reach out to? I’m trying to collect as many people from this one transaction where all the people from that transaction. That’s very smart. Yes. I love that. Also, were they a referral? Right. You got a note to the person need to make sure that if it’s a realtor, they obviously get their referral fee.

00:24:46:09 – 00:25:04:28
Unknown
But if it’s just a past client or friend, I want them to know how much it meant to me that they sent this person to me. And yeah, we have close. Yes. Goal, accomplish. Goal. Okay, I like that. I also obviously send the thank you note to the buyer seller. Typically, I do like a week later, right?

00:25:04:28 – 00:25:33:19
Unknown
Yeah, I think that’s good. I don’t. And I’ll send it and then maybe I’ll wait a day or two and then I’ll send my email. That’s like prompting for the review. I’m like, one last kindness, and then let’s ask you for your review. Thanks. But at the closing table, I think is a great time if you’re not already social media friends or Facebook friends follower, whatever, do that and then say, Hey, when you go home and take your picture in front of the new house with the whole family, make sure you tag me.

00:25:33:19 – 00:25:53:22
Unknown
Yeah, because you tagging them in a picture with the cut cutout key at the closing is not as impactful. Look, do you, y’all, That’s what you want to do. Live your life. But it’s not as impactful as them in front of their new home. So happy with their whole family tagging you and saying, Hey, this is our new home.

00:25:53:22 – 00:26:12:27
Unknown
Thanks to our agent. You know, it just is different. It’s different. It’s going to hit their sphere and it’s going to hit them different. Like, well, that’s nice. Look, it’s nice. Agent RIF, it’s okay for you not to be in the picture. Like I stopped taking pictures of my clients for years. I did the. I did the holding, the key and the whatever.

00:26:12:28 – 00:26:29:09
Unknown
Not my key, but whatever the key at the time, you know, remember they had I did it for years and I still sometimes would, but I’m like, you know, now that think about it. It’s not about me being at closing with this person. Yeah, it’s. It’s about them. Yeah. Like, what are they? Right. Ah, just post a picture of their house and a story about it.

00:26:29:09 – 00:26:51:01
Unknown
You know, it doesn’t even have to be a picture of them if you can’t get them to do that. But follow, like, all that jazz at the table. Yes. If you haven’t yet. I like doing it at the table as well. Yeah, I think that’s good. What are the other logistical things? I know that you have kind of like a little checklist to do in the car afterwards, so I want to make sure that I go ahead and delete all their emails.

00:26:51:01 – 00:27:18:13
Unknown
Search notifications. That’s a good one. Keep the email tidy. So I update that. I also put them on a report for their new subdivision, a monthly report. So that will have my information on it. Yes. And if they are a seller. So these people are my database usually, and I need to if anybody is in my database and owns a home, I have them on a monthly subdivision report for their subdivision.

00:27:18:14 – 00:27:40:17
Unknown
Who who does that report? What do you mean? What software is it? it’s through our company. Like they created it. Yeah, I don’t know. They bought a software program, I think. Anyways, I don’t know. You know, it’s call it. It’s been a few things. I’m trying to remember what it was the first time someone asked recently. That’s the only reason why I’m asking you.

00:27:40:24 – 00:27:57:18
Unknown
Yeah, it’s like a company specific program that we have. Yeah, but I have heard our PR does it too and does it very well. That’s what I want to learn about. Let’s take our PR class. Let’s do it. I would like to. I need to be able to tell the people. is that this is it for CC Sometimes, yeah.

00:27:57:25 – 00:28:23:21
Unknown
At our board. Even better. So just making sure that now that they are no longer at that address, I don’t just need to change their address but I need to go make sure any reports I had them sent one have been deleted or changed or updated update email list. So those are big things too. And then I write a I do write a card to the agent.

00:28:23:24 – 00:28:45:28
Unknown
Okay. So I used to do agent lender title, but I found it was like I used the same people so much. You’re like, okay, again, me again. Hey, same, same, same story. Thanks again. Same card. Let me pull up my checklist real quick on whenever I have a closing and the the papers are emailed to me. Right. The closing date the closing document for your office.

00:28:45:28 – 00:29:13:09
Unknown
My personal checklist is write a letter to the agent, add them or update them in the database. Ask the client for referrals. Do I need to pay any referrals or is there anybody in the transaction? I need to add subdivision reports? And then do I want to add the agent to my newsletter? So like in my it’s in my newsletter, if I have an agent section.

00:29:13:09 – 00:29:32:13
Unknown
Yeah. So if I have a if I want to do a preview of something or send an invitation to an agent open house, I only have agents that I’ve worked with on the air. Okay. But sometimes I don’t add the agent on there. You don’t want to. You know what I mean? Question do you send those? Are those agents tagged in your, like, MailChimp as agents?

00:29:32:13 – 00:29:52:13
Unknown
Yeah. They’re separate from like my client does. You could send them just them just agents stuff. And those are really the only two categories I have as agent or client. Yeah, because if you’re not an agent, I, my stuff is for the masses, like it’s for everybody. And then I’ll add the client to my client list. Well, it maybe.

00:29:52:16 – 00:30:09:29
Unknown
Usually unless they like if they were on their best behavior. Yeah. Yeah, usually they’re at it. But I mean, I say to that my newsletter, they may still be in my database. Yeah, but I may not add them to my newsletter if they moved away, because if they’re in my database, they’ll still get a Christmas card for me.

00:30:09:29 – 00:30:34:23
Unknown
But they don’t need the updates or like write, you know, local stuff. They don’t live here anymore. So I just put them where they need to be appropriately. I love that. All good things. I think I also have, you know, I love getting digital, closing documents. I remember the many, many, many, many, many years. One that I had to have paper files, period, like, I was around when their paper was still like the thing.

00:30:34:25 – 00:30:52:13
Unknown
Then we switched to dot loop and like everything was there. And so then title companies would still be printing them. And one day I think they were like, Hey, something was happening with the printer. I get your copies later, or we could send them digitally. I’m like, Can you make a note? My file too. Only ever send them to me digitally.

00:30:52:13 – 00:31:15:01
Unknown
I don’t need paper because this is what I would do. Go back to my office, scan the paper, shred the papers, and then put them digitally. Thank staple of the paper. Let’s cut out the step where I had the paper. So please know you are. You can tell your whoever closes that you don’t want paper documents. Right? The Teo companies have all those fancy folders they put them in and like, save your money.

00:31:15:01 – 00:31:32:14
Unknown
They’re so pretty. I don’t need the folder, I don’t need the paper, I don’t need the it. It’s kind of funny for being such a paper person. I’m like, well on it. Well, that paper’s not pretty paper. It’s just. And it’s not helping anyone. No, I am required to keep it digitally. I do not have to keep it in paper form, so I’m scanning that.

00:31:32:14 – 00:31:56:19
Unknown
I’m putting it in loop, I’m submitting it to my office. You know, that’s how that part goes. That’s how you get paid. Like, I can’t I have to put in a copy of my commission, check in my case. Now, I kind of like this at my boutique brokerage. I have a deposit card and I can go straight to the bank with my check and deposit it in my brokerage’s account so that they can direct deposit it to me.

00:31:56:19 – 00:32:16:18
Unknown
That’s amazing. I don’t have to bring them the check. Wait for them to put it in the bank, turn in my papers, wait for them to then cut me a check. It is all me into the bank. Then they can cut the check directly into my like direct deposit in my account. How nice. So nice. So that. But that logistical stuff has to happen with your closing, right?

00:32:16:20 – 00:32:37:10
Unknown
I do get a little sad because I feel like your your help, especially with the buyers. More so with the buyers. You’re spending so much time with them and you’re in constant communication like it could be intense for 3 to 6 months and then it just stop. Now, I know it’s sad it’s over and then you check in and you’re like, Hey, how’s the house and house?

00:32:37:13 – 00:32:58:03
Unknown
And they’re just, you know, like, okay, I love it here, but that’s where I think being friends with people on social media is about to say you’re just makes it so much more now. You don’t have to people only move on average what, 7 to 10 years? It’s like ten years now. So how am I supposed to touch you 36 times a year for ten years?

00:32:58:03 – 00:33:17:09
Unknown
30? gosh, I don’t know. 362. So keeping it on, having them on social media to where you can see what they’re doing. I have this. When you say that, it makes me think of one particular young couple I sold an older home to. They have renovated different parts of the house through the years since they bought it.

00:33:17:09 – 00:33:37:25
Unknown
I think they bought it in 2020 and I get so excited when they post pictures on their social media and we like talk about it and I’m like, This looks so good and it’s just it’s just lovely. Yes. And that is still a connection like that. They still are like, we’re just so happy here. I don’t have to go your front door and be like, Show me everything you did right.

00:33:37:25 – 00:33:56:08
Unknown
I need to look around here. I can see the pictures you have posted. It’s still a real connection. Yeah, but it is nice. That’s why it’s helpful to follow them. And then, you know, you get lucky they don’t all post. Obviously, everything they do in their house. I feel like a lot of people do that. They do. I have one in particular also that I love to follow.

00:33:56:08 – 00:34:15:19
Unknown
She brought she was a single girl and she bought sort of a fixer upper. She’s handy. I love that. And she does so much herself. That’s great. And I’m like, Wow, European thing. That’s so cool. I’ve even been sending pictures to the agent who had it listed like all screen stuff because like, they knew the house so well.

00:34:15:19 – 00:52:24:03
Unknown
I’m like, Look, look at this. Look how nice it is. Now. I love, you know, like, when you can’t even recognize it. That’s so fun. Okay, So we led up to the closing. We talked a little bit about behavior in the closing. We’ve talked about what you do after the closing. I think the biggest thing is just having a thorough system in place, whether that’s a checklist.