.....Why your Realtor is valuable -- even if you are a PAST client! 
I had a past client (first time buyer) send me a text message the other day that went something like this:
Client: It looks like it's time for me to call that Home Warranty -- I can't get the hot water heater to stay fired up.
Me: Wow, good thing we insisted on that!
Client: It's at about that 10 year mark we talked about, so I'm not surprised.
Me: (To myself) wow, he paid attention during his home inspection! :-)
Yet, I started asking questions because I did not want him to call in a claim on his Home Warranty, only to find out later that it would not be a covered item.
So, as we texted back and forth, I quickly look through a Home Warranty plan to double-check. Yup. It looks like it would be a covered item. Still, I had this nagging feeling.
Me: Is the water heater electric or gas?
Client: It's gas. No, electric. No, gas. I can't keep the pilot light lit.
Me. hhmmm.... I hope it doesn't need cleaning or servicing, as the Warranty would not cover it if it has not been maintained.
Then, I remembered a past conversation about a propane heater in the garage. As I texted to him some more, I looked up his previous MLS and Sellers Disclosure....... Sure enough "Hot Water Heater: Propane".
Me: Are you out of PROPANE??!!!
Client: UUUHHHH..... gee. Maybe! No wonder I couldn't keep the oven hot last night! I'm such an idiot! (I swear he said that, not me!) :-)
Me: you know, I just SAVED you huge bucks on a non-covered service call! You owe me, big time!
Client: You Rock! Can I buy you a cup of coffee!
Me: That would work. But, I'd rather have a referral! (Hey, it NEVER hurts to ask!)
Client: You got it! If I ever hear of anyone wanting to buy a house, you're it! (see, it NEVER hurts to ask!)
You see? A Realtor can be a valuable source of information (and SAVINGS) to their past client, and in return they can be a wealth of referrals for the Realtor. It works both ways!
I am happy to report that my past client can now stop taking cold showers, since he found the cause of his non-working water heater. Before we were done texting back and forth, he called the propane supplier for a delivery -- and was happy! It can't get any better than that!
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For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.
Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com
Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.
All content Copyright â“’ 2008 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County
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