I recently had the opportunity to speak at Jeff Glover's event in Traverse City, Michigan, in front of nearly 900 real estate professionals. While I came away with pages of notes and countless ideas, one lesson stood out above the rest: the power of client reviews in today's AI-driven world.
Most agents wait until the closing table—or even a week or two after closing—to ask for a review. I believe there's a better approach. Request reviews within 24 hours of closing, while the experience is still fresh in your client's mind. Encourage clients to leave reviews on platforms like Google and Zillow, and naturally mention the qualities and services that made the biggest impact.
Even more important, don't wait until the transaction is over to find out if your client is happy. Check in throughout the process. Ask a simple question: "Are we at a five out of five? If not, what can we do to get there?" That small conversation gives you the opportunity to solve problems before they become negative reviews.
One of the best examples of this came from an unexpected place—my Jaguar dealership. During a recent service appointment, they consistently checked in and asked what they could do to ensure a five-star experience before asking for a review. That's a customer service mindset every real estate professional can adopt.
One final takeaway from the conference: don't try to implement everything you learn at once. Prioritize your ideas. Identify what you'll implement immediately, what you'll tackle over the next 30 to 90 days, and what can wait. Consistent execution beats information overload every time.
As AI continues to shape how consumers search for and choose real estate professionals, authentic client reviews are becoming more valuable than ever. Focus on delivering five-star service first, and the five-star reviews will follow.
Michael LaFido Founder & CEO | Luxury Listing Specialist Designation (LUXE) Michael@MarketingLuxuryGroup.com LuxuryListingSpecialist.com LuxurySpecialistGear.com
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