Agents lose their clients: #1 reason, because they simply do not stay in touch. They treat the closing gift like a parting gift. I keep (so far) 91% of mine for life because I call, send notes, e-reports, mailers & even pop-by for a quick hi. I also host client appreciation parties to build community among my "sold" clients and team members. I've lost 9% due to disloyalty that was going to happen regardless, due to their character, not the lack of mine.

My clients who remain in the area remain loyal.  Most of my Sellers move out of area though but they do provide me with local referrals

Losing touch = losing past clients

If one keeps in contact with their clients it should be a lot higher.

The disconnect is that the agent lets those clients become orphans.

The disconnect is time and opportunity

The "disconnect" is in the question... not staying "connected".  

Relationships change and agents are not good about staying in touch. I would say about half of the disconnect is on the part of the agent and in his control. Other circumstances will make a buyer use another agent such as a new friendship, a dominate agent in a neighborhood, a double deal or somebody else was there at the right time to ask and they said yes.

A high percentage of agents do not maintain contact for a continuing relationship. 

Yes, some past clients have used other agents. People develop new relationships all of the time.

I find...that stuff happens.  In real estate and in life.   Things change.  New people enter while others leave.   I try to do the best I can with the task at hand.   

Timing.

When did the home buyer resond to this question....a few months after moving into their wonderful new home?

My observation is....last touch, next touch is all that matters when most sellers, those not on an agents "A-List",  need to make a decision.

The reason they go to other agents is because their initial agent did not keep in touch with value added information and services. 75% of my business is repeat and referral, but I work my past client base like mad all year long.

Out of sight, out of mind! That is the disconnect!

Val, I keep most of them for life, but I don't always do as well as I could about staying in touch.

I have had a few that sold without using me, and not sure why.  Thankfully not many.

The big disconnect is staying in touch.  Many do the old drip email campaign, without checking what is actually being dripped.  And some just forget.  A

I'm guessing that one part is that agents don't stay in touch well enough with past clients.  And, the other is that many of these folks may buy impulsively with something they see at an open house or on line by going to the featured agent.

I'm in agreement with Thomas.  Most agents don't keep in touch with past clients.  I've developed tools to remedy that for my agency.

I have found that if I let Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor answer first, I don't have to write a long answer, because I can just say, "what he said" as he usually nails it for me.  I have lost very few over the years, but in each case, there was a valid rationale behind the change.  Stay in touch and it will not happen. 

I think I retain at least 65-85% of my clients. Some fall away for various reasons and I tend to blame myself for that.

A good followup system is essential.

I keep mine for life and do everything possible to accomplish this