Foreclosure Cleaning Jobs: What to Expect When Working with a Foreclosure Realtor

Most foreclosure clean up companies dream of getting a call from a realtor who handles foreclosures. This is because these professionals handle many listings, which usually means ongoing work. But, if you’re not prepared, getting the call can be a curse rather than a blessing.

Follow the advice below to be well prepared when the call does come.  

3 Things to Keep in Mind When Working With Realtors Who Handle Foreclosures

1. Move Quickly: When realtors who handle foreclosures call, they expect quick action. This is because someone at the bank/lender is usually hounding them to get properties back in market shape quick.

Consider the following example.

A foreclosure clean up company owner in Atlanta was on vacation when she got the call from a foreclosure realtor. He had 8 properties that he wanted lawn maintenance on. Furthermore, he wanted estimates on three of the properties for other work (eg, HVAC, replacing sheetrock, painting, carpet laying, etc.).

The kicker – he wanted it all in 48 hours (the lawn work completed and the estimates – with photos – submitted).

While the company was in good hands while the owner was on vacation, she immediately hopped a plan and came back the same day. Why did she do this?

Foreclosure Clean Up Work – In Bulk!

Because the contracts were for ongoing work. The realtor told the foreclosure cleaning company owner that if they were able to complete the job in the specified time – and the results were satisfactory – her company would be awarded the lawn maintenance contract until the properties were sold. And, he had other properties. Sweet!

So when a foreclosure realtor calls, jump through hoops to meet their deadlines – for it can mean ongoing work.

2. Price w/Bulk in Mind: There are many ways to price a foreclosure clean up job – by the square foot, by the job, by the hour, etc. However you price your jobs, always price with bulk in mind when dealing with foreclosure realtors.

Now, this doesn’t mean short yourself or work with margins so thin that you can’t afford to hire help. Remember though that foreclosure realtors are usually working within a defined budget – a budget that’s either set by the bank, or some government program guidelines.

Sometimes the realtor will clue you in as to what this is, sometimes not. Feel free to ask though, letting the realtor know that you realize he/she has many properties and you’re willing to “give them a special deal” so that they can get the work done on time – and within budget.

3. Stick to Your Word: The construction industry (of which foreclosure cleaning falls in) has a horrible reputation for on-time work. Contractors don’t show up when they say they will; jobs don’t get completed on time; oftentimes the work is shoddy and so on and so on.

If you just do what you say you’re do – when you say you’re going to do it – you’ll win many jobs. As an example, the foreclosure clean up company owner referenced here said the realtor told her that they were dealing with another company before they called her.

He said he’d gotten her marketing materials in the mail (a postcard) and had hung on to them. After one too many times of getting the shaft from the other company, he decided to give her company a call. When she completed the jobs on time, he was very surprised.

So keep your word – for it can lead to thousands of dollars in foreclosure cleaning contracts.

P.S.: Learn how to start a foreclosure clean up business — and get on the road to creating financial security for you and your family.

P.P.S.: Find Foreclosure Jobs! Did you know that you can find a foreclosure job with a simple click of your mouse? You can using Foreclosure Business News’ new job search portal. It’s just to the right here. You can search by job title, category, keyword, city and/or state. Find your dream job in this exciting real estate niche today!

Copyright © 2009 Yuwanda Black for Foreclosure Business News