Harleysville-Lansdale Real Estate and More

Scott and I had lunch with our accountant last week.  She joked during lunch that we sold every person in her family a home and every person in her office a home, and admittedly, that is not far from the truth.  Likewise, we have referred many clients to her. 

It was a wonderful lunch in a small Italian restaurant in Lansdale, we sat for nearly two hours talking about everything from her business to our business, family, taxes, healthcare, and politics (not a subject for all lunches but our views are well aligned).  It was such a reaffirmation of our friendship and trust in each other and our dedication to help each other's business.

A few weeks ago, we had lunch with a contractor that we did not know nearly as well.  During the course of the meal, we found out so much about this guy, things we never knew.  We thought his work was mainly concrete, period.  Little did we know, his company can remodel a bathroom or kitchen, reface a fireplace, install an EP Henry patio, build a garage, repair/replace a driveway, and perform virtually any interior or exterior concrete, stucco, masonary, tile, or blacktop job.  This guy built his own house and excavated a huge man-made pond on his property.  This is good stuff to know.  We also learned about his work ethic and philosophy on life.  Since that lunch, we referred two jobs to him.  Prior to that, we did not know him well enough to recommend him.

It doesn't seem as popular these days, but we highly recommend getting together for lunch with people you do business with.  Don't know where to start?  Try the familiar, your mortgage guy, home inspector, title insurance provider.  From there, who does work on your home or for your personal needs?

Things to make sure you cover in a business to business lunch:

1. Their business - Even if you think you know, what exactly do they do?  What don't they do?  Where do they get most of their business?  How do they advertise/market themselves?  What types of jobs or projects are the most profitable?  Is any job too big or too small?  How have regulations and the economy impacted their business?  What are their biggest challenges/frustrations?  If you have referrals for them, what is the best way for a lead to contact them?
2. Your business - Clarify the geographic range you cover and where you like to concentrate your business.  Let them know that you have a great network through Active Rain to refer someone to a Realtor if they are moving out of your area.  Clear up any misconceptions about Realtors and what exactly you do when working with a client.  Share your business philosophy and approach.  Share what you do that is different to market and sell a property.  Have an interesting or funny story to share about a recent transaction.  Discuss changes in your local market - short sales, current inventory levels, mortgage rates, employment.  Let them ask questions.  Open up and be yourself!
3. Any other topic that feels comfortable or related.  But if you don't know them well, avoid politics, religion, and your opinion on hot topics such as unions, off-shore drilling, same sex marriages, taxes, etc.

So make a lunch date for later this week or next.  You don't have to blog EVERY day during lunch. 

~Lisa

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Business to Business Lunches - Face to Face Networking Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.