Residential Real EstateA Home Warranty Plan That Rewards Realtors
As closing gifts or as incentives to buyers and sellers, home warranties are often purchased by real estate agents for their clients. Particularly useful for homeowners of older homes that are beyond builders" warranties, a home warranty helps new owners with a protection plan that can get a service technician called in with little out-of-pocket expense.
While not all items in the home are covered under a warranty, nearly all fixtures are, including most plumbing, to make the purchase well worthwhile for homeowners.
But until a disposal freezes or a hot water heater leaks, many homeowners aren"t aware of just how many little things can go wrong with their new older home. And much of the trouble they might experience could have easily been prevented with proper maintenance. But whether they use the warranty or not, many don"t remember the agent who purchased it for them.
That changes with a new program that home warrantor American Home Shield has initiated with a company called RealMinder. Not only will the homeowner get monthly reminders that will protect their home investment, they"ll be reminded of the agent who purchased the warranty for them.
When a Realtor purchases a home warranty for a customer, s/he can now order the warranty with a new e-mail feature called RealMinder. RealMinder e-mails the consumer twice-monthly reminders of home maintenance tasks. The e-mails are cosponsored by American Home Shield and the Realtor who purchased the warranty. When the consumer clicks on the link, it goes to the homeowner"s Web site where the homeowner can log in, view the monthly tasks, click on to find out how to perform the maintenance involved, go to troubleshooting if there is a problem with an appliance that the homeowner does not know how to fix, among other menu items. When a task is completed, the homeowner can check it off, while completed tasks move a colored sphere from unsafe (red) to safe (green.) The pages are marked with the Realtor"s name. Mouse over the name and the homeowner goes straight to the agent"s e-mail address.
"RealMinder"s program is based on the proven idea that the best way for agents to build repeat and referral business is to stay in touch with their established customers," says Dave Crawford, AHS Senior Vice President of Real Estate. "And the best way to do that is to offer them something of practical value.
"Most agents know they spend too much time chasing new customers, while established customers are allowed to drift away for want of a follow-up program. The attraction of RealMinder is that it offers homeowners something of real value and it ties in directly with the natural interest they have in maintaining their home. We"ve found homeowners appreciate any service from their agent that helps them maintain- and thus enhance-their home"s value."
Crawford cites an industry survey, which claims 77 percent of buyers were happy with their agent, 74 percent responded they would use the same agent again in future transactions, but only nine percent of survey respondents did, because fewer than 10 percent could remember their agents" names.
"The RealMinder program extends the value of the real estate professional to their clients past closing, by associating them with a program that benefits homeowners throughout the homeownership cycle," says Alain Mazer, RealMinder COO. "A Realtor"s name is included in e-mail notifications sent to his or clients, and on their RealMinder Web pages, so when it"s time to buy or sell again, the homeowner can contact that agent with just a click of a mouse."
There is no extra charge to the agent or the homeowner to have an AHS warranty with RealMinder.