Every year in January, we send all of our clients out a copy of their HUD statement. We do this so they don't have to go digging for those closing statements and to remind them to share the information with their accountants to see if anything is deductable.
Actually here is the system we use:
- After the closing we make a copy of the HUD
- We address the envelope with their address on it
- We put it in a file
- Then in January we attach a letter, thanking them for their business and include it.
- It is a way to provide "after the sale" service
- We get a great response from it
Here is copy of my Yearly HUD letter, you can use it or modify it. (Colleen is my assistant so that's her name, not violating any privacy)
December 30, 2008
Colleen Bean
1372 Armstrong Dr.
Chelsea, MI 48118
Dear Colleen Bean,
It is the start of exciting New Year with low rates, big selections, and good prices but before I get started working with new buyers and sellers, I wanted to say thank you again for letting me help you with your move last year. It is a pleasure working with you and hope you are enjoying your new home. Soon, you will be preparing your Income Tax Return for last year. You will need a copy of your home's closing statement to make some of the calculations. These statements sometimes get mixed up with the other important papers that go in a safety deposit box and this copy might save you some time and effort.
You are probably aware that interest on the qualifying mortgage and property taxes paid on the home are tax deductible. However, sometimes other legitimate expenses are overlooked. Points paid to secure the mortgage whether paid by the buyer or by the seller on behalf of the buyer are generally accepted as interest and deductible.
Interest to the end of the month shown on the closing statement is qualified interest and it may not show on the year end statement supplied by the lender. A prepayment penalty to retire a mortgage or unamortized points not previously deducted may be deducted on the return in the year they were paid.
It is helpful to know what things to supply your accountant so that all legitimate deductions may be taken. If you have a question about any of these, you should rely on the counsel of your tax professional.
If you have friends who are talking about moving, please tell them about The Missy Caulk TEAM. Referrals are important to my business plan. Thanks and let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Sincerely,
Missy Caulk and TEAM®
(Christa, Betty, Pattie, Terry, and Judy)
Keller Williams
(734)821-0757
(734)216-2822
Missy@MissyCaulk.com
Missy Caulk & Team can be reached at 734-926-9797 or email: Missy@MissyCaulk.com
Our Team of 6 agents are available to help you relocate to Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Ypsilanti Township, Clinton, Manchester, Whitmore Lake, or throughout Washtenaw County, MI.
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Hi Missy,
I too, send out the HUD. I've had many appreciative comments over the years from clients who are saved the hassle of going through closing docs. It's a nice gesture.
Be well ~ Marian
that is great! You went one step above the call of duty.
Hi Missy! I do this too--it counts as one of my 13 points of contact throughout the year. Great letter by-the-way!
Missy - we also send out the closing statement in January. Thank you for sharing your letter.
Missy, I do this too. It is one of my best forms of contact with my clients. They love it. Love your letter, thanks for sharing.
Missy that is an excellent way to keep in touch with your past clients. Thanks for sharing your work.
Great idea Missy and just another reason to touch your customers one more time and very helpful!
Thanks Missy! Very nice of you to share your letter. I too send out the HUDs - if I get to it in January! I like the sounds of your system - it sounds like it cuts down on the time it takes to get them out.
Liz
Great idea-it's a great way to keep in contact and help the buyer out.
I do this too, and think it is so valuable! However, I am taking your tip on how you organize it and address it so soon and put it in a file. Great idea, and a timesaver!
Thank you! Help like this is always appreciated. 2009 just keeps getting better and better!
Kristin, we figured that out a few years ago. It saves tons of time as we do not have to go through the files. LOL
Missy,
Great idea!!! And this type of service separates the professionals from the opportunists out there!!! Thanks, Fran
Missy - Thank you for even going so far as to put a copy of your letter in! Sometimes it helps mind block to read what someone else wrote!
Here's another one of your ideas I'm going to implement. Thanks.
Missy- We used to do this all the time at the end of every year. Need to start doing this again. We got away from it when we did the land deals for a few years. You are the best for sharing!
You have a better system that I do! I always spend 1/2 a day digging out old files and making copies! Thanks for the idea.
Missy - Fantastic Idea - need to initiate this great service. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE this idea. As an investor I am always digging for those statements at year end, what a great time saving service.!
Hi Missy, I have been doing this as well. It's a wonderful way to say I still care long after the transaction. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Missy
That's an excellent customer service practice and a referral builder.
Good luck and success
Lou Ludwig
We have done this for years. Clients love it. We also send a CD of the entire transaction for the client upon closing.
Hi Missy: I'm like you and have a file where I put a copy of the HUD-1 for every escrow I close. It gets tiresome pawing through files in the garage year after year. :) However, I use a somewhat standard letter, but I personalize it for each client. And I always ask for referrals.
Hi Missy. Great practice.
I have always done it, but I am glad you wrote this post to remind me. I might have skipped it this year.
Thanks for writing,
Ken
Missy--What a great service! And, as I know you are a great supporter of home staging, you may want to remind your sellers that their home staging costs may also be tax deductible.
Missy,
That's a great idea and one I think I'll borrow if you don't mind.
Systems baby...you got great systems!
Hi Missy ! - I love this idea, and what a well written letter to your clients !
... I am flagging this for a feature, as it could help many more people on here...
Great post !
Missy you are awesome, the eternal coach and a true giver. I remember you talking about this before and I thought it was a great idea then too. Thanks for giving the letter as an example.
Missy - It was great talking to you today. I have never done this, but I can see where it's very useful to you clients. I'll start this next year.
Great letter Missy! Thank you for sharing. I am so new this will be a great thing for me to do!
Thank you I am sure they would appreciate your service.
Great letter Missy. One of those "dah" moments - I never thought to copy the HUD statement when the transaction closes - what a time saver. Thanks for the tip!
This is one of those things I've just now heard about and I'm amazed at the number of people that are doing it -- on my list to do this week.
Hi Missy, I've been doing this for years and you're right, people love it. Making a copy of the HUD after the closing saves time and it's a great way to connect. Thanks for example as I'd love to tweak my letter. You're awesome!
This is something that I do every year but I must confess this year got away from me and before I knew it the time to send them out came and went.
Missy - I like that idea. That's a great service to provide your clients! Thanks for sharing... :)
This is something that I can definately incorporate into my business, and something I never had though of. Thanks so much for sharing not only your idea, but for providing a sample letter and discussing your process to make it an easy procedure to incorporate. I just love the people in AR!
Missy, I just love reading your posts. You have some great ideas. Thanks for sharing the letter with AR. Also, congrats on getting your outside blog up...it looks great.
Missy,
We have found this to be an effective way to reach out to our clients we have worked for in the past year. We also attach an application for a Homestead Exemption since we have this in the state of Texas. You cannot make application until after January 1 so it is perfect timing to make contact! Thanks for your post!!
Missy- thank you for sharing your letter. To make a copy of the HUD at the time you close and get it ready for your January mailing is just brilliant organization!!
Missy-How efficient are you! Go girl go! Anything you can do to get them to remember you! Thanks for the info.
I read this re-blog and thought it was a great idea! Wonderful way to stay in touch with clients and help them for tax season! I'm going to re-blog this as well.
Excellent idea, Missy! What a great way to touch past clients. Thanks for sharing!
I know this one is an old one Missy, but it looks like a few people found it while researching something or other on ActiveRain and suggested it for feature. It seems as appropriate today as it was two years ago when it was originally written.
Great stuff!
This is an interesting way to keep in touch and helpful so I've bookmarked it for future reference.
Patricia/Seacoast NH & ME
Absolutely appropriate, every year! Great letter, too, Missy. What I have done to be "green" (and to save money on stamps!), is to scan the HUD after each closing and put them in a folder on my computer. Now, I will send them an email, and attach the HUD. A nice "touch"!
Missy: I've been doing this very thing for years ... and you're right .. it's a great idea and one that your clients will find extremely helpful. Even if they receive multiple copies (from their agent and lender), all's good .. as many times they need multiple copies to file/for their records anyway. It's just a very positive action to make on many levels. Kudos to you for your great service.
Gene
On my to-do list every year along with the Texas Homestead Exemption that saves more in property taxes!
Hey Missy,
I do this too! But I really like your letter better! Thanks for sharing - I get a kick out of my "January file!" It's a great reason to re-connect with your clients. Best wishes for a great New Year, and I LOVE the new glasses!
Thank you! I've never done that but think I will. I got a stack the other day from my company. I think it's a sign!
Missy, what a great way to stay in front of your clients. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of this simple yet effective service.
Excellent ! So excited this got featured ! I didnt know if it was too old to 'suggest' but I'm glad I did !
Loved this post 2 years ago, and love it now - great stuff Missy :o)
Cheers !
Great reminder... I'm behind in a lot of these good things, now that my assistant and daughter-in-law decided to go to nursing school.
We make this a common practice, nice idea and always appreciated by our clients.
Hi Missy...I did this last year when you told us to. I will take your advice again this year. You know what you're talking about.
Kate
This is a great idea. We sent them out earlier this week. I have accountant clients who are amused but also seem to appreciate it.
Hi Missy -- Very timely and informative, you always come up with such great tips and ideas, thank you! From an efficiency standpoint, have you considered doing this the green way via e-mail and sending the HUD-1 as a PDF? This way you can have links to your website, etc., perhaps get them to subscribe to your blog directly, and it's a win-win.
I used to do this every year...when I was being coached by Brian Buffini...it is a wonderful idea and the clients love it! Thank you for the reminder...I am starting again...great post...
As you can tell this was posted in 09, glad it is helpful. We do change up our letter every year.