Sending a handwritten thank you card is much more personal than sending an email or phone call, and will therefore have a stronger impact.

They’re inexpensive and don’t take long to write. They could become one of your most valuable marketing efforts.

There are 12 different types of thank you cards that you should be sending.

Referrals You Received

Sending a handwritten thank you card to people who refer clients to you is a thoughtful gesture that will make you stand out and encourage them to continue doing so in the future.

Your thank you letter could look something like:

Dear Sarah,

I had a meeting with Michael Smith yesterday and I want to thank you again for referring him to me. It really meant a lot to me that you thought of me and I hope we can continue to work together in the future.

Talk soon,

Lauren

Referrals You Sent 

As a real estate professional, you will inevitably have professional relationships with people who work in industries related to real estate. Those professionals include mortgage brokerages, lawyers, accountants, bankers and wealth specialists, and many others.

It’s a great idea to develop relationships with these professionals, not just because you might need their services in the future, but also because they can send referrals your way. But referrals shouldn’t be a one-way street. You should also send referrals their way.

If you have a client who also owns a business, be sure to refer them to other businesses.

If you have a client that is an accountant, and another client that is looking for an accountant, you can introduce them to each other.

After you take care of your clients, send a thank you note to the person who referred them to you. This will show your appreciation and encourage the referring individual to keep sending business your way in the future.

Your letter could look something like this:

Dear Jennifer,

Dear [Name], Thank you so much for your help with the Smiths’ investment portfolio. I’ve been working with them for a long time and your input means a lot to me. I’m grateful to have you as part of my professional network. I hope to hear from you soon.

Warm regards,

Lauren

Real Estate Agents That Sent You Referrals

You should send a thank you card to your real estate agent if they refer your business, even if they were too busy to help you themselves, or if the client wasn’t looking in their area of specialty.

A thank you card means a lot and is much more likely to result in a referral in the future.

Dear Gary,

I had a meeting with Michael and Emily yesterday and they were both great. Thank you for putting them in touch with me. I’ll make sure to find them a perfect home and to let you know if anyone I know is looking for a real estate agent in your area!

Warmest regards,

Lauren

Real Estate Agents That You Sent Referrals

Thank the agent for taking care of your client. It will show your appreciation and make the agent more likely to refer business to you in the future.

Dear Janet,

Thanks for taking care of Andrew and Leslie. I told them you’re a great agent and that they were in good hands. I’ll keep sending you more business contacts. You’re the best agent in your city!

Warm regards,

Lauren

After a Listing Presentation

It’s always a good idea to send a thank you card to your clients, whether or not they decide to list their property with you. This will help you stay in their minds, and could make the difference in whether or not they choose to list their home with you.

Even if the customer chooses someone else to help them sell their home, they may end up coming back to you if the other agent doesn’t do a good job. You providing excellent customer service may make them want to come back to you even if they originally chose someone else.

Dear Karin & Ben,

I enjoyed meeting you both today and being able to see your lovely home. I hope that whoever you ultimately decide to list your home with has great success, and I look forward to working with you both in the future.

Warm regards, Lauren

After Meeting With a Buyer 

Thanks for meeting with me today! I know you’re talking to other agents, but I really appreciate your time. A small thank you card will show them how detail-oriented you are, and how you’re willing to go the extra mile for them.

Dear Scott,

I enjoyed our meeting this afternoon and am very excited to help you find a property that you will love. I live in a modern bungalow myself, so I know how great they can be. I’m looking forward to helping you find the perfect bungalow in the city!

Talk soon,

Lauren

After a Home Sells

Thank the clients for their business and wish them a bright future.

Dear Brian & Jessica,

Great job on selling your home! I’m really happy we were able to get you a record price and I’m glad we were able to find you a nice home to move into. The process may be busy, but it’s also very exciting. Can’t wait to work together more in the future.

Warm regards,

Lauren

After Someone Buys

After you help your clients buy a home and send them a thank you card, let them know you’re always available for help if they need it in the future.

Dear Jane,

Thank you so much for your help in finding our new home. We are very happy with it and are grateful that everything went so smoothly. We will definitely be in touch if we have any questions or need any help in the future.

Warm regards,

Lauren

After Someone Rents

Many agents focus only on sales of primary residences, and overlook the potential of working with renters. However, even though someone may not want to buy a home right now, they may do so in the future. Additionally, even if someone does not want to buy a property themselves, they may know someone who does.

Do not neglect people who rent. Once you help them find the home they want, send them a thank you letter!

Dear Natasha,

I’m glad we were able to find a place with a great view and plenty of storage space. It was nice working with you and I hope we can keep in touch.

Warm regards,

Lauren

FSBO’s

If your clients want to see a home that is For Sale by Owner, and the seller is willing to pay commission to agents who bring a buyer, then take your clients on a walkthrough of the home.

It was great getting to see your home and I really appreciate you taking the time to show it to me. If you do decide to use a firm to list your property, I would love to meet with you to go over the details. Thank you again for your time.

Dear Michael & Christina,

Dear homeowner, Thank you for letting my clients and I view your home. They were very impressed by the wrap-around porch and the brick fireplace. I’ll be in touch if they decide to make an offer. If you ever decide to use a real estate company to list your property, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to answer any of your questions.

All the best with the sale of your home and I hope we can keep in touch.

Warm regards,

Lauren

Services

When you are selling or buying a home, you will need to hire several different types of service providers. These can include painters, home stagers, photographers, and movers. Having all of these professionals working for you will help to make the deal a successful one.

Thanking those who helped make your purchase possible is a way to show your appreciation. Additionally, the people who assisted you with the purchase may be more likely to refer you to others in their network.

Dear Andrew,

Thank you for your amazing work on the photos of 40 Smith Lane. Your hard work and incredible attention to detail are very apparent in the final product. I will continue to use your services for my listings and will recommend you to others.

Warmest regards,

Lauren

Agent You Worked With 

Sending a thank you card to agents who have done a good job or have gone above and beyond is a good idea because they may need to refer a client or need an agent to co-list a big listing with in the future.

Maintain good relationships with your network of realtors because they are an important factor in successful deals.

Dear Peter,

Thank you for your excellent work on the sale of 210 Front Street. My clients are thrilled with the results, and the sale went very smoothly thanks to your efforts. I hope we can work together in the future.

Warmest regards,

Lauren

Dear True Love — thank-you notes from the Eight Days of Christmas

CONCLUSION

Thanks cards are a great way to stand out from the competition and strengthen relationships with clients, professionals, and other agents.