Happy House Hacking Podcast EP 48: Why Your Agent Should Stick Around After Closing

Link to full podcast episode here:

A Realtor for Life: Why Agents Should Stick Around Post-Closing

So, you’ve just bought your first home. You’ve signed the papers, the keys are in your hand, and you’re filled with excitement. But then, a few weeks later, something unexpected happens—the electricity doesn't work in a room, or the water heater breaks. Suddenly, the person who guided you through the entire process, your realtor, is gone. They handed over the keys and disappeared.

At The Schwaegerle Team, we believe a great realtor doesn't disappear after closing; they are a realtor for life. On a recent episode of our Happy House Hacking podcast, we discussed how the real estate industry is truly a relationship-based business. We get invested in your journey, from the moment you establish roots to the updates you plan to make down the road. Our philosophy is simple: we will be here when you need us, whether it's days, months, or even years after closing, serving as your realtor for life. 

Your Realtor for Life

We at The Schwaegerle Team believe that our relationship with you doesn't end when the transaction closes. For us, being a realtor for life means being a constant resource and trusted partner long after you get the keys to your new home. We’re here to provide ongoing support and expert guidance on everything from home valuations to contractor referrals, ensuring you always have a go-to professional for any real estate need that arises. 

Financial and Valuation Services

One of the most valuable post-closing services we offer revolves around your property's value. Your home is likely your biggest asset, and it’s critical to know its worth. We're here to help you with an accurate home valuation long after the sale is complete. 

A perfect example of this recently came up when a past client reached out to us about a low appraisal. They were in the middle of getting a line of credit, and the appraisal came back far lower than they expected. As Camille Schwaegerle stated, "We did research as well and we said, 'hey, you know what? You should reach out to that appraiser and get that resolved because you are correct. If that house that's smaller and not as nice as yours sold for more, then absolutely your house is worth more.'" 

By providing them with the right comparable sales for a proper home valuation, our clients were able to challenge the appraisal and get the value bumped up. This small act of support added tens of thousands of dollars to their property's value and helped them secure the financing they needed.

Another way we help is by providing a broker price opinion (BPO) or a comparative market analysis (CMA). This is particularly important for estate planning. In unfortunate situations when a family member has passed away and you need to determine the value of their property, a broker price opinion can be much more affordable than a full-on appraisal. 

Owen Schwaegerle is a licensed real estate broker, a level above an agent, and he has been for five years now. This service is offered as an unbiased third party, which is crucial in situations with multiple heirs and potential family disputes over the correct broker price opinion.

We can also help you save money on monthly payments by helping you remove private mortgage insurance (PMI). If you put down less than 20% on your home, you are likely paying for private mortgage insurance. Once your home has appreciated enough that you have more than 20% equity, we can generate a comparative market analysis (CMA) to show your lender that your home’s value has increased, which can help you get out of paying PMI.

Home Maintenance and Support

A realtor for life should be your first call when something breaks or you need a home-related service. When our clients in San Luis Obispo called us after their water heater went out, we were able to guide them on how to use their home warranty. We explained that it's a separate coverage from their homeowners insurance and that the seller often pays for the first year. As Camille stated, "With one service call, they were able to get all of those items repaired, which saved them thousands of dollars." Getting these home warranty policies covered by the seller is a key part of our negotiation process, as it can alleviate stress for new homeowners, especially first-time buyers who are already stretching their finances. 

Beyond the home warranty, we provide our clients with a comprehensive, vetted list of contractor connections as part of our post-closing services. Our clients in San Luis Obispo know that they can contact us for a recommendation for everything from a handyman to an electrician to landscapers. These are people we have worked with personally or for our clients, so we can vouch for their work in the San Luis Obispo area. 

We had a client who was quoted over $70,000 to do foundation work during escrow. We provided them with a referral who was able to complete the same work for just a few thousand dollars, saving our client a significant amount of money. The importance of having trusted contacts through your agent cannot be overstated. 

Navigating Unexpected Issues

The journey of homeownership can come with unexpected challenges, and we’re here to help you navigate them. One is a title dispute. When you close on a home, you get title insurance to ensure the title is clean and free of liens. However, as we learned with a past client, issues can still arise. 

A small portion of our client’s property was not recorded with the county, despite a previous agreement. We worked closely with the title company that we had chosen for the transaction to resolve the issue. As Camille noted, if they had tried to handle it on their own without involving realtors and escrow, it would have "...probably end[ed] up in court somehow." Luckily, we were able to work with the county and the title company to figure it out. These are the kinds of essential post-closing services that set us apart.

We also assist with property tax disputes. Occasionally, a typo or error can lead to the county overvaluing your property. In these cases, we can provide a CMA to prove the true home valuation and help you get a more accurate assessment. 

Another thing we do is serve as a shield against scams. Many new homeowners receive official-looking letters asking them to pay for a copy of their deed. As Camille warned, "All of those are scams...please text us first. Do not participate in any of that and don't fall for anything." We’re here to be your first call for any question, no matter how small or strange it may seem.

Community and Ongoing Engagement

Being a realtor for life is about more than just solving problems; it’s about building a community. Staying connected with our clients and giving them valuable information is something we love to do. We send out annual home value check-ins with market snapshots so you can see how your property has appreciated over time. This ongoing home valuation is a great way to monitor your investment.

We also publish a monthly newsletter with neighborhood updates and community events in the San Luis Obispo area. This goes to over 4,000 people and is our way of promoting local life and supporting small businesses. We also love to feature our past clients’ businesses in our newsletter, which is a fun way to partner and help them get the word out. The San Luis Obispo community is very important to us.

Our commitment to post-closing services and community are displayed best at our annual client and supporter appreciation party. It’s a fun event with raffles and giveaways, and is a great way for us to celebrate you, our valued clients. These parties provide opportunities for you to connect with others in the community who have similar businesses and interests. They’re a way for us to thank you for trusting us with one of the biggest transactions of your life and to reinforce our position as your realtor for life.

Your Partner for the Long Haul

A great realtor is much more than a transaction facilitator. They are a true partner who provides comprehensive post-closing services that add value to your life for years to come. From financial guidance and home maintenance support to navigating unexpected issues and fostering a sense of community, our job is to be your go-to resource. Always make an informed choice when selecting an agent and understand the importance of building a lasting relationship.

At The Schwaegerle Team, we believe that every homebuyer deserves a dedicated partner who sticks around long after the deal is done. We are here to provide helpful information and support for homeowners at every stage of their journey. To learn more about this and other ways we can help you on your home-buying and owning journey, be sure to listen to the rest of our Happy House Hacking podcast!