How to Get Real Estate Referrals & Grow Your Word-of-Mouth Referral Base  

Updated: November 8, 2023

If you talk to any agent who has been in the business for a long time, they will tell you that building relationships and word-of-mouth marketing in real estate are imperative. Especially in today’s market where competition among agents is high and housing inventory is low, it is the best way to consistently land new clients and property listings.  

How to Get More Real Estate Referrals  

Whether you’re just starting in the industry or you are a seasoned Realtor looking to increase your revenue, you can always benefit from expanding your referral base. These foolproof tips to get real estate referrals and grow your sphere of influence can help you through any market.  

1. Start with Your Current Clients  

Your current clients should be your main focus. The most authentic and effective way to increase your word-of-mouth referrals in real estate is to make sure your current clients are happy with your work.

When your clients have a great experience and feel taken care of by you, they are much more likely to recommend your services to other people. Be accessible to them, answer their questions, address their concerns, offer guidance when they are unsure of what to do, and do whatever you can to go above and beyond. When you give them a great experience, it can help you build referrals in real estate for life.  

2. Organize & Host Events 

A great real estate referral marketing idea is to host events. Low-commitment social or educational events (whether online or virtual) are great opportunities to build and strengthen relationships. Events for current and past clients can keep you top of mind with them and help you continue to cultivate these relationships.  

On the other hand, you could host events for potential clients like current homeowners or those considering buying. These types of events can be informative and educational so you can showcase your expertise in the industry while also getting your name out there. These events can also get you great exposure to warm leads. Even if they aren’t ready to commit right now, these events can open the door to communication with potential prospects and may lead to business later on.  

3. Stay Connected to Past Clients

While you may be looking to continue to build your client base in real estate and expand your sphere of influence, you don’t want to forget about your former clients. Past clients that you have already worked with can be the best source of referrals, so try to stay in touch with them after their deal is done.

You can email them newsletters, relevant tips, event invitations, and information about current marketing conditions or real estate trends. These emails are an easy way to keep the lines of communication open, but make sure you tailor them to this group. Also, be careful not to go overboard. You do not want them getting annoyed with too many emails and unsubscribing.  

4. Network 

Another great way for real estate agents to get referrals is to network. Attend various events whether they are related to real estate or not. Always bring and give out your business cards to other professionals. You can also send thank-you emails to professionals you collaborate with, become a member of the local chamber of commerce, find relevant Facebook groups, or even join a real estate referral program or network. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you will be able to build your referral base.  

And remember it takes time to build these relationships, and they should be reciprocal. One conversation will likely not lead to business. You need to follow up with people and look to help their business in order to get these relationships working for you.  

5. Up Your Marketing Game 

If you want to get real estate referrals, you cannot rely on word of mouth from past clients alone. From swag to online marketing, there are several ways to market yourself and get your business known. Invest in a functional website that’s easy to update. Get branded merchandise. Share blog posts on social media and in your email newsletters. Sponsor community events or be a “guest feature” in a local publication. You can even check out these Realtor video ideas and try your hand at creating something.  

Not only can a good marketing strategy get you more new business, but also you are more likely to stay top of mind for past clients and current business contacts who can refer you.  

6. Ask for Reviews & Online Referrals

Another way to get real estate agent referrals is online with reviews. Nowadays, many people will look at reviews online before they commit to a service or business. Online reviews are a great, indirect way for people to refer and recommend you to people outside of their regular network.  

If you have poor reviews or a limited number of reviews, people may pass over you. Ask past clients who had a good experience to leave you a review and send them a link that takes them directly to where they need to go to do so to make it easy.  

Trying to get real estate referrals and grow your word-of-mouth network takes time and effort. You need to be patient and consistent, but your track record is often your greatest weapon. To ensure your clients have the best experience, we want to help. Our home-improvement model is a great option you can present to your clients that will help them get their listing market-ready. Learn more about how Curbio helps agents like you.