Last Fall one of my neighbors had her burglar alarm serviced at the house. A company visited her home, examined the existing system, replaced a few sensors, tested the alarm, and installed a cell phone dialer, which is a device that calls for help when the alarm is triggered. I applauded her, as she lives alone and could use an added layer of security.
We sat in her kitchen and talked about locking doors and arming the system, and I asked her if she also locked the gate on her back yard fence. She said she hadn’t thought of that, and she would pick up a lock next time she went out. I also mentioned that her sliding glass door may need a rod behind it, since she had trouble with the main latch. And I also noticed the circuit breaker was on the *exterior* of her home, and there was a place to hang a padlock for more peace of mind (so no one can shut off the power during a break in). Plus, I mentioned the Today show had featured a product that focused on a better way to secure your garage door. I had so many thoughts on securing her home that by the end of the conversation she was likely DONE with me!
However, my conversation with her led me to believe that the alarm company hadn’t even discussed these issues with her. If they were giving security consultations, which they were, then why didn’t they bring up all of these other ideas with her home? Even if the security company did not directly profit from giving such advice, they are in the business of helping people *feel* more secure, correct?
That thought made me question my own business. If I’m in the business of helping people move from one home to another, what am *I* missing in the process? I want to be the type of Realtor that has ALL the bases covered. I want to get the job done by giving clients FULL consultations and face-to-face interaction. If they need ANYTHING related to moving, I want to be there with the right service, or at least refer someone who can. There’s nothing wrong with putting in a little extra time so the homeowner feels fully cared for. Heaven forbid a client feels taken care of and has an ongoing friendship with their Realtor!
