Athena Paquette, with South Bay Funding, Inc. in Hermosa Beach, California, has been a By Referral Only Community member and user of Ugly Yellow Signs since 1998.  As she recently told us,

"I like to help listing agents get maximum exposure and meet buyers.  With this in mind, I spent $45 on 40 Ugly Yellow Signs for one of my Realtor’s open houses in December.   Ninety families (Yes, 150 people!) came to the open house and I connected with several of them.  One couple made an offer on the home that day but they were outbid.  They wanted to be in a specific area of Torrance, and not too long after, when the same Realtor listed a new house, I looked at the pictures online and knew in my heart this was it.  I called the buyer, told him to drive by and call the listing agent. 

"I helped this couple with a zero down loan with very low rates, they made an offer, and they closed last week.  They’re thrilled!  The sale price was $915,000 and my commission was $11,545, a $256-to-$1 return on investment.  I’m thrilled, too!

"By Referral Only systems work for both Realtors and Lenders – you just have to pay attention to what fits your market.  I only work with five-star Realtors, and I’ve severed relationships that don’t fit my vision.  This allows me to support my Realtors 100 percent.

"Be patient, and know that the systems work."

P.S.  Athena will share more of her best practices at the May 22-24 Strategic Forum Conference.  Register by May 4 for the early bird discount – learn more by clicking here