When your current and previous clients think of you and your services, what trajectories do their thought patterns take? Are they fondly recalling the superior care and attention you’ve delivered, or are they dead set on finding someone else when it comes to their next real estate transaction? Do they view you as their go-to for pertinent, reliable information, or are you competing neck-and-neck with social media platforms in this arena?

If your answers to these questions lean a bit to the left, you could do a lot more for yourself and your business if you bulk up your service offerings with one simple (though admittedly, layered) idea: Be more engaging.

A Long-Term Engagement

Creating your network of new, repeat and referred business is, in many cases, a courting process. Most people these days don’t simply open a phone book, close their eyes and point to find their real estate professional. Word-of-mouth and reviews (particularly those presented by a reputable Internet-based organization) are road signs for pointing people toward their purchasing destinations today, whether said purchase is a tangible item, service or combination of both. Getting in front of your clients and future clients (more than once, and in a way they find engaging) is crucial for your business. When it comes to attracting, catching and retaining those clients, a long-term commitment to the relationship is a must.

Catch Their Attention – And Keep It

So, how do you nurture a long-term relationship with past, current and future clients? One way is to be a gushing, overflowing, all-knowing source for not only great information, but the precise information your clients are seeking. This requires you to think like your clients. What kind of information are they looking for? Do they need to know something they don’t yet realize they need to know? Based on factors like age, stage in life and social preferences, having a solid idea of what your clients are looking for as well as how to present said information to them is key in snagging their attention and cultivating those long-term relationships so vital to your business.

The intent is not to bore your clients with an onslaught of unsolicited information, but be the engaging source for what they need to know, when they need to know it. You know your target market best, and probably have a good idea of what they find most engaging. The more you interact with your target audience, the more spot-on your delivery of services and, ultimately, achievement of business goals will be.

Most professionals should and do conduct their business dealings according to a set of ethics, a compendium going far beyond what’s largely regarded as basic “work ethics.” Each industry has its own standard of expectations, and that which is considered usual and customary. The parameters, however, may vary from one trade to the next, depending upon regulatory rules and expectancies set forth by governing bodies and even the segments targeted to receive your marketed goods or services.

No matter your role within any given industry, maintaining high ethics and delivering your products or services with supreme integrity is likely expected, both by your superiors and individuals seeking your offerings. Are you acting on behalf of your business in this regard, hitting the mark each time when it comes to ethicality, integrity, honesty and truthfulness?

Check Yourself Before You…. Well, You Know How This Goes

How do you know if you’re meeting ethical expectations in your business dealings? Is it just a “feeling” you get when you “do the right thing,” or is there a code of ethics mapped-out for you to follow? The answers to these prompts may depend upon what you do for a living, and how heavily regulated your business sector happens to be.

However, no matter your trade, ensuring you act in accordance with established guiding principles is important for not only keeping yourself out of hot water, but also for ensuring you deliver at the highest level to those you serve with your skills, knowledge and expertise. After all, you (as a consumer) likely expect to receive the same in return when purchasing. Keep your business and your conscience on track by sticking to that coveted (and expected) code of ethics.

How We Ensure Ethical Delivery of Title Services

Here at Linear Title & Escrow, we proudly adhere strictly to not only industry regulations, but also our commitment to serving you and your clients with the highest level of excellence in settlement proceedings. We accomplish this in the following ways:

• Non-disclosure of confidential information
• Zero misrepresentations
• Total transparency in fee calculation and financials
• Adherence to all laws and regulations per Virginia and federal guidelines

We never want you or your valued clients to doubt our authenticity, professionalism or the integrity with which we conduct each closing. To learn more about how we maintain ethicality in our title and escrow practices, contact us at (757) 340-0340.

The American Land Title Association (ALTA) recently released an article regarding consumer confusion and misunderstanding when in comes to title insurance fee calculation within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mortgage disclosures. While the genuine intent to recent changes in disclosure methods was meant to demystify the cloud of confusion surrounding obtaining a mortgage and associated risks, as well as simplify the process, it seems these efforts may be missing their mark. (Read the article here.) At Linear Title & Escrow, we want all those who sit at our closing tables to have full understanding of not only title insurance fees, but any fees associated with the closing process.

We believe in being transparent with the settlement procedure, and aim to provide closing information to the best of our ability in the most obvious, open and easy to understand means possible. If you or your clients have any questions or concerns, or would like further clarification on how closing costs are calculated, please contact us today at (757) 340.0340.