Greenwich Time

Even beyond settlement day, Realtors prove excellent resources for clients

- By Jane Howard Basham Jane Howard Basham, Houlihan Lawrence, 203-869-0700, ext. 40279 office, 203-253-5688 cell, jbasham@houlihanla­wrence.com

Many years ago, when I was a new Realtor negotiatin­g my first accepted offer, my office manager at the time very wisely said, “Now, the work begins.” It was sage advice, because there are so many steps in the process to get to the closing table and beyond it.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to create close bonds with my clients, so it’s a pleasure to help them acclimate to their new homes and new lives. For example, pre-COVID, I’d often host lunches to introduce my newly settled clients to mutual friends and neighbors. Introducti­ons like this are especially helpful to parents, who may be interested in meeting other parents in the neighborho­od and to arrange playdates at local playground­s and parks. Today, I leverage email and Zoom to make those introducti­ons.

Realtors who have long histories in the market and as Greenwich residents themselves often have a network of local vendors who new homeowners may appreciate – builders, interior designers, plumbers, electricia­ns, landscapin­g experts, and others. Realtors may even be an excellent source of recommenda­tions for everyday needs – from dog walkers and doctors to groceries and green spaces.

I’ve helped clients get appliances repaired, find the best and closest wine vendor, decide how best to get to the airport, and get tours of local schools they’re considerin­g for their children. Recently, I helped clients register for their COVID-19 vaccines. Google is a great tool, but if buyers need or want firsthand community-level insight, they can rely on their Realtors.

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Contribute­d photo

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