Two weeks ago I was showing a house and the only one available in Westlake Village in a neighborhood where my clients wanted to live. They would have settled for that one but it wasn't really the floor plan that they wanted. As they parted and left I saw a neighbor planting flowers and she asked me if the couple that I was with had internet in being her new neighbor. I told her possibly but they really had their heart on a floor plan with a bedroom downstairs and actually just like hers. I casually asked if she would like to sell her home not expecting a response that I got. She said they had thought about it but not this soon. As I told her more about my clients she offered me to look at the house and long story short 13 days later we are under contract for a price acceptable to both buyer and seller. All inspections, appraisal and loan are completed and I have two very happy clients. Will I continue to talk about real estate? You betcha. Also both my happy clients are talking as well and it's all positive.

I think that is one of the best ways to get more business, because those casual conversations are just that.  CASUAL....no pressure, and the other person will open up and talk about their Home Buying or Selling needs.

So funny you should ask this question. As a matter of fact when we were attending my 50th HS reunion last September I started chatting with an ole football buddy of mine.

One thing led to another and he told me that he was venturing into the car wash biz but was having difficulty locating viable properties to build them on. As fate and luck would have it. We just happen to own a beautiful and strategic one acre parcel in Temecula, CA where he had been doing property searches for awhile.

The following Monday he landed his aircraft on the French Valley Airport where I picked him up and escorted him to our property. Voila! An hour later we had a contract drawn up and the rest is history. 

Add to that we have been contemplating the car wash biz for several year ourselves and are now planning to partner up with him on others and guess who the RE broker is that will be seeking said properties. Moi of course.

In fact I should probably use this thread to announce to AR that I will hence forth becoming less and less involved with residential thus will probably be limiting my time on AR.

But it has indeed been a fun run and I've met a lot of very wonderful folks over the the past 8 years. Lately I've been spending more time on Bigger Pockets looking for commercial RE. So please tell me how you define retirement? LOL!!

Even if your conversation starts from a lead source, it better be casual. The moment the suspect thinks you are selling, its over. People don't care about what you know but want to know that you care.

This is not an unusual occurrence. Everybody wants to talk about real estate.

Real estate is a people business so all the time. 

Good morning Rick. It happens all the time, no matter where I am, there is always an opportunity to turn a casual conversation into future business.

Quite often. It is all about the relationships.

Frequently, very frequently.

This happens quite often.  It is important you are out meeting people and chatting about life.  Your work always comes up in those discusssions.  Plug your self quick and move on to other topics.

One of my best repeat clients is a friend that I met when we were walking our dogs a number of years ago.

It happens but not enough to seek them out.

all the time, people love to hear real estate stories, they love the HOPE that something good might happen to them and once they are in that mindset, they will surprise you

On average at least a couple times a year. Great way to meet potential clients - no pressure situation.

All the time all over the community and throughout my personal life. Dr appointments, church, community events, social activities, family time, etc.

Thank you Rich,  A great post.  It's good to remind the public, buyers/sellers how knowledgeable we are, but sometimes we forget to convey how helpful we can be  and to toot our own horns in a subtle way.

When I was an agent it happened all the time. Now - never. The people I meet in person generally have no idea about what a copywriter even does. Some will even say "People PAY you to write??" 

It happens on occasion.  Though more often than not people want some free advice to take back to their brother/sister/cousin/mom/dad the Realtor.

that happens all the time....everyone loves to talk about real estate.... and when they hear others talking about it, they attempt to blend into the conversation....

I maybe do not bring it up intentionally as often as I should but it often finds it way into casual conversation.

Hi Rich - you never know when a business opportunity will present itself.  Be open and aware.  

I will check out the webinar. Thank you.

Rich Levin - well, I have happened it both ways....

(The second way is - so why did you buy that.....did not know you were looking for the home!)

More time than not. In fact if I am at my best I can bring up business in most any conversation.