I think we all have heard the phrase “Your next transaction is embedded in your last”. While phrases like that can sometimes seem cheesy and empty I’ve found that one to hold true. Having watched it come true over the last few years I am now a believer and  it is super motivating to make sure I take advantage of every opportunity a listing, or buyer, might present to me and the future of my business. 

I knew I’d really drunk the kool-aid when I realized that a recent buyer I was working with was the 12th transaction I could trace back to my very first open house on my very first listing 4 years ago. Huh? Wait… how did that happen? Even I was somewhat gob-smacked to believe that one event could lead to such a chain. Of course, it wasn’t luck or happenstance. It was me following all the breadcrumbs along the way, doing my best for those that did do business with me over that time, and surprise, surprise, it totally paid off… to the tune of almost $175,000!

So the chain looked like this: At my first ever open house, (#1)  I met a lovely couple that were neighbors in the area of my listing. We chatted and toured the house and conveniently they “won” the raffle at the open house so I had a reason to pop by to their house a few days later with their gift. They welcomed me in for a tour and we chatted a bit about their plans. They were probably at least 6 months out from moving but I gave them a plethora of info, advice on how to prep the house and said I’d follow up. Which I did. I checked in every so often and lo and behold, almost a year later they called me to list the house. (#2) 

At their open house I met 2 couples, 1 who ended up buying with me in the area (#3) and also the couple that eventually ended up putting in the winning offer, with their agent. While that didn’t seem significant at the time, it eventually proved to be! 

After I sold #2 they referred me to their friends who lived nearby and also wanted to sell (#4). At that open house, I met another lovely couple who, after following up for well over a year, have asked me to help them sell (#5) and buy (#6). 

Meanwhile the sellers of house #2 decided they didn’t like living so far away and decided to come back and so I helped them buy a condo here (#7) which they then changed their mind about again a year later and ended up going back to their kids out west so we sold again (#8). 

Then in an unforeseen turn of events the buyers of house #2 decided they too were going to move on and instead of calling their original buyer’s agent they called me. (#9) At the open house for their sale I met another family and over the course of another year developed a relationship with them that led to both their sell (#10) and their buy (#11). 

After the sale of house #9 I followed up with that family as well, as they had moved into a rental and I figured they would probably be ready to buy sometime again soon. And they did! (#12)

I love looking back at that and seeing what potential lay inside that one first open house. It reminds me to treat each new person I meet with care, enthusiasm and respect because they could very well be the start to my next chain. And hopefully this one isn’t over yet!! There are still opportunities for those branches to continue branching and I intend to follow each breadcrumb as far as I can. 

So I hope you will keep this story with you as you go into the weekend and your adventures with your clients. And remember, this happened at my FIRST open house… like, ever. So none of this had to do with my experience. It was just my dedication to holding each opportunity dear and you can do it too!!!