Marketing to Real Estate agents

[riverdog]

Has anyone tried going to local Realtors for work to maintain/improve property that is for sale? For example mowing, landscape appearance improvement, driveway sealing, etc?

[MOW ED]

Its marginally effective but usually short lived work. I've done work for a handful of realtors and got my name thrown around to others because I guess I did good work. There are some properties that are great to work on and make look better then there are some that are nightmares.
I have done spring cleans for houses that were very neglected and have cut lawns that needed to be cut last week so if you do it make sure you bid appropriately high. They do pay and they pay top dollar.

The problem is that it isn't steady work.

[thartz]

Go for a Real Estate Developer. I work with one that leases office parks and he is good to work for because HE OWNS the property and not trying to sell it but keeps it spotless to keep his tennants from breaking the leases.

[65hoss]

I have for only a couple in the past. Never again. They are CHEAP!

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Ghee I like sending invoices to South America.

[65hoss]

Originally posted by LAWNGODFATHER
Ghee I like sending invoices to South America.

Yea, and collecting after they move is impossible.

[lawnman_scott]

Dont do it. They will not pay, or pay late. But you can make an appointment to look at houses they have for sale and never show if they dont pay. Waste enough of there time and they will pay you. It worked for me.

[thartz]

Maybe I got lucky because the developer I work for lives in the area I mow and pays on the first of the month religiously. I know he is not a real estate agent maybe I'm in a good situation.

[big james]

CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! ,actually it's the person whose home is for sale that should be paying ,but it ends up being an unwanted expense for a reality co.:mad:

[KirbysLawn]

Avoid at all cost. Use the search on this, I have been shafted several times by them, I have one out of who know how many that pays on time and is reliable. I have several past due and marked off debts owed by real estate agents....

[awm]

these guys are not going to get any return for what they pay u as the return is up to the seller and appraiser.ive been paid for the few ive done,but took for ever and the guy acted like i was really ripping him.in other wds they want it for nothin ,or close as u can come to it. later now

[Lawn Dog2001]

I have had great luck dealing with real estate agents. If you get in with some good selling agents they can keep you busy all season. The down side is it is only temporary work. You wont get to many steady accounts this way. I have never once had a payment problem with a realtor. If you are really concerned about payment, have these customers pay you in advance. Any out of state accounts I bill pre pay for three cuttings.

[kutnkru]

I know of contractor in our area who does lots of work successfully for them. They wanted to cut back on weekly maintenance costs so he deducted $20 off the cost of a months services and went to bi-weekly cuts and they couldnt be happier with his services.

He says the toughest part is having to wait 3 months for the invoices to begin to clear but he says its rather nice to get those checks during the winter from the falls work load. I figure he's especially liking them this winter in particular -LOL!!!

I suppose it all comes down to how you set it up and what the protocol is. He deals with the Real Estate Agents directly however, not the homeowners.

[JimLewis]

There is a local company who hand delivers flyers to like 2000 real estate agents each week. They'll do it at a cost of $35 per week, and that includes copies. Since it was a great deal, I tried it a few times in the last 2 years. So I've had my fair share of dealings with them.

I'd say at least 1/2 of the time, the experiences were very negative. 1/4 of the time, it was just so-so and maybe 1/4 of the time it was a positive experience. So overall, I don't have a favorable impression of most realtors.

And even the good ones, you have to be REALLY CLEAR on when you expect to get paid. I'd echo the above comments in regards to realtors and slow payments.

[odin]

Id like to also to tell everyone beware of the contractors who build homes and hire you to mow the models worse people i have ever done business with.
They will even try to claim you didnt even mow the lawns to try to stick up out of money.
They want something for nothing it was the worst time we ever had getting money out of account.
They beat us out of a month mowing on the last month of the season.

[JimLewis]

I agree with that. I NEVER work for builders.

[Pauls Mowing]

Our largest customer is South Dakota's biggest developer. 6 subdivisions totaling 250+- lots. We do spring lot clean-ups, summer mowing, and fall lot clean-ups for them. Always pay before 10 days, not one problem yet. Excellent company. I just picked up another 15 parcels from another realtor in town, and they have an excellent reputation, and I've known the owner for several years. Great work and excellent income.

Paul