How to get great reviews as a real estate agent - Examples
What separates the cream of the crop in real estate from the rest of the pack? Sure, market knowledge and negotiation skills play a part. But there's another factor that often goes overlooked: glowing client reviews. In today's digital-first world, your online reputation can make or break your business. A string of five-star reviews acts like a magnet, drawing in new clients and setting you apart from the competition. But here's the kicker - getting those reviews isn't always easy. So how do the best in the business do it? What magic words do they use to consistently rack up rave reviews? And more importantly, how can you replicate their success? In this guide, we'll pull back the curtain on the art and science of garnering stellar reviews as a real estate agent. We'll explore real-world examples that work, dissect why they're effective, and give you actionable strategies to build your own review-generating machine. Let's dive in...
Why Reviews Matter for Real Estate Agents
Let’s be honest—most people don’t trust you right away. As a real estate agent, you're working against skepticism from the start. One of the biggest challenges in marketing and selling is moving that "trust gauge" from uncertainty to confidence in your ability to get the job done. That’s where social proof comes in. Reviews from past clients act as real-world proof that you know what you’re doing and can be trusted to help someone buy or sell their home. When potential clients see glowing testimonials, it eases their doubts and moves them closer to choosing you over the competition.
The Best Platforms to Collect Real Estate Reviews
Not all review platforms are created equal, and where you gather reviews can have a big impact on your reputation. Google is a must-have—clients search for agents there, and positive reviews help boost your local SEO, making it easier for new leads to find you. Zillow is another key platform, as it's tailored specifically to real estate, making your reviews visible to an audience actively looking for agents. Realtor.com and Facebook also provide excellent visibility for your reviews, giving clients easy access to your track record. By focusing on these trusted platforms, you maximize your chances of attracting new clients while solidifying your credibility in the industry. Another platform is Youtube where you can host video.
Triple stack reviews Don't just rely on one platform you can leverage one review into many. If the person has a glowing review when they're with you ask if they can record a video about it. Then that video can be used on your website and Google. Then ask if they can write those words in Google and on Zillow. Bottom line: Don't rely on one form. <h2>Examples of great (natural) reviews - Script vs no script We’ve all seen those reviews that feel too polished, almost like they were written from a script. They’re filled with generic phrases like “great service” and “highly recommend,” but they don’t tell a story or feel genuine. Those kinds of reviews can come off as suspicious. What you really want are natural reviews—words straight from the heart that reflect your client’s real experience with you. These types of reviews build trust because they sound authentic and personal.
Here are some examples of great, natural reviews:
1. “Working with Sarah was like a breath of fresh air. We were nervous first-time homebuyers, and she walked us through every step with patience and care. She didn’t just help us find a house—she helped us find a home we love. Couldn’t recommend her more!”
2. “I was selling my mother’s house after she passed away, and it was a tough time for me. John handled everything with such compassion and professionalism. He made sure the process was smooth and stress-free, and I’m so grateful for his help during such an emotional time.”
3. “I’ve worked with a lot of agents in the past, but Tom is different. He didn’t just push listings on me—he listened to what I wanted and found the perfect property. The whole experience felt like I was working with a friend, not just a realtor.” These reviews feel personal and tell a story, which makes them more relatable and trustworthy to potential clients.
How to Ask for Reviews Without Feeling Pushy
It all starts with good marketing—and that includes follow-up marketing, which we’ll dive into later. But the foundation of getting great reviews is providing excellent service. When you go above and beyond for your clients, you naturally set the stage for positive reviews. However, even the best service won’t always lead to feedback, because most people don’t feel the need to go out of their way to write one. That’s where a simple ask comes in. Start by checking in with your clients: *"How was your experience?"* If they respond positively, politely ask if they’d be willing to share that experience in a review. It feels natural, and most happy clients are more than willing to help.
Getting reviews starts with good marketing... use these handwritten mailers to kick start it: The Greeting Letter for Realtors
Tools That Help with Collecting Reviews
When it comes to gathering reviews, having the right tools can make the process easier and more seamless. Here are a few standout options that can help you collect high-quality reviews, including video testimonials, without overwhelming your clients:
1. SendMei
SendMei allows you to send clients a simple link where they can easily record a video testimonial right from their phone. It’s perfect for capturing natural, authentic feedback without the hassle of complicated setups. [https://www.sendmei.com](https://www.sendmei.com)
2. Birdeye
Birdeye helps you automate review requests via email or text, making it easy for clients to leave feedback on multiple platforms like Google and Facebook. It also offers a centralized dashboard to manage and respond to reviews. [https://birdeye.com](https://birdeye.com)
3. NiceJob
NiceJob specializes in automating review collection and making it simple for clients to leave reviews with one click. It also integrates with Google and Facebook, ensuring that your reviews get maximum visibility. [https://nicejob.com](https://nicejob.com) These tools help streamline the process of collecting both written and video reviews, allowing you to showcase client feedback with minimal effort.
How to Respond to Both Positive and Negative Reviews
Responding to reviews—whether good or bad—is a crucial part of maintaining your online reputation. For positive reviews, a simple but thoughtful response can go a long way in showing appreciation and keeping the relationship strong. Thank the client by name, mention something specific from their review, and express gratitude for their trust in you. For example, *"Thank you, Sarah! It was such a pleasure helping you find the perfect home. I'm so glad the process felt smooth for you!"* Negative reviews, on the other hand, require a bit more care. The key is to stay calm and professional, avoid getting defensive, and try to resolve the issue if possible. Acknowledge their concerns, offer a solution or invite them to continue the conversation privately. Something like, *"Thank you for your feedback, John. I’m sorry to hear you weren’t satisfied with your experience. I’d love to discuss this further and see how we can make it right—please feel free to contact me directly."* By responding to both positive and negative reviews with sincerity, you show potential clients that you care about their experience and are committed to continuous improvement.
Turning Great Reviews into Marketing Gold
Great reviews aren’t just for boosting your reputation—they can be powerful marketing tools. First, highlight your best reviews on your website, especially on high-traffic pages like your homepage or contact page, to create instant trust with new visitors. You can also repurpose reviews for social media posts, sharing them with a personal comment or story behind the client’s experience. Another effective approach is to include reviews in your email marketing campaigns. Adding a glowing testimonial to a newsletter or follow-up email adds credibility to your message and can help move potential clients down the sales funnel. Don’t forget to use them in printed materials like brochures or listing presentations, where a real-world example of your service can make a lasting impression. With the right strategy, these client reviews can work for you long after the transaction is closed.
Mistakes to Avoid When Asking for Reviews
When asking for reviews, it’s important to approach it the right way to avoid common pitfalls. First, don’t wait too long to ask for feedback. If too much time passes, clients might forget key details or lose the motivation to leave a review. You also want to avoid being too pushy—constant reminders can make you seem desperate, which can turn clients off. Another mistake is making the review process complicated. If it’s too difficult or takes too many steps, people are less likely to follow through. Always provide a simple, direct link to the review platform. Lastly, never offer incentives for reviews. While it might seem tempting, offering rewards can come off as disingenuous and can even violate review policies on some platforms, hurting your credibility. Keep it natural and easy, and you'll get honest, valuable feedback.
Automating Your Review Requests Automating your review requests can save you time while ensuring you consistently gather feedback from clients. There are several tools and systems designed to streamline the process. These platforms can automatically send a review request via email or text shortly after a transaction is completed, so you don’t have to manually follow up with every client. Tools like Birdeye and NiceJob not only automate the request but also guide clients through the review process, making it simple and hassle-free for them to leave feedback. You can even set up triggers in your CRM, such as sending a review request after a property sale closes, ensuring the timing is perfect. By automating this part of your business, you maintain a steady flow of fresh reviews, while focusing on other important tasks.
Real Estate Realtor Reviews Summary
In this article, we explore how real estate agents can effectively gather and leverage client reviews to build trust and credibility. We start by discussing the importance of reviews in the real estate industry—most clients begin with skepticism, and reviews help shift their "trust gauge" in your favor by providing social proof of your expertise and service. Next, we highlight the best platforms for collecting reviews, including Google, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Facebook, which are key spaces for boosting visibility and reputation. The article also covers how to ask for reviews without being pushy, focusing on delivering great service first and then making a simple, polite request for feedback when the time is right. We provide examples of natural, heartfelt reviews that resonate more authentically with potential clients than canned, scripted testimonials. These reviews tell stories, showing potential clients real experiences. To help agents collect reviews efficiently, we discuss tools like SendMei for video testimonials, Birdeye, and NiceJob for automating and streamlining the review process. The article also offers strategies for responding to both positive and negative reviews, ensuring professionalism and relationship-building in all interactions. It emphasizes how great reviews can be turned into powerful marketing assets, from featuring them on websites and social media to incorporating them into email campaigns and print materials. Finally, we warn against common mistakes when asking for reviews, such as waiting too long or offering incentives, and explore how automating review requests through CRM triggers and review management platforms can ensure a steady flow of feedback without overwhelming the agent. This comprehensive approach helps real estate agents understand not only the value of reviews but also how to gather, manage, and leverage them to grow their business.
