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Ambassador
5,228,997
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I have and I just phoned 3-4 of my last clients and asked if they would. They never mind doing it but, I would never give out names/numbers without asking.

Some will text me sweet details when they get the calls!!  

May 05, 2020 05:25 PM
Rainmaker
628,614
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I usually send someone to my Activerain , Linkedin or Zillow profile for testimonials.

May 05, 2020 04:04 PM
Ambassador
2,435,649
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

No one has ever asked me for references, but if I did I could provide. I don't have any recent ones though since I moved and it's been taking time to get new clients where I now live.

May 05, 2020 06:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

No. Because I have so many online reviews in multiple locations including Yelp, Zillow,Realtor & Google Biz and I'm 100% by referral, I never get asked. I do get interviewed and compared though occasionally (mostly because Google says to interview 3 agents). LOL And I know the 10 questions they will ask too.

My references are current, March 2020 most recent :)

May 05, 2020 03:53 PM
Ambassador
4,691,993
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I don't ever get asked for references either.  My thinking is that my smile gives away the fact that I am an honest, trustworthy, and caring guy!  I could certainly provide references, I would give them the number for Barbara Todaro since I know that I can count on her to speak highly of me!!!

May 06, 2020 04:58 AM
Ambassador
5,048,708
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I have a number of people who are happy to serve as references, but I have only been asked once to supply seller references in the last 10 years or so.

May 05, 2020 08:31 PM
Ambassador
2,061,046
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Yep... I still ask for references in order to keep my testimonials current.

May 05, 2020 04:59 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

These days I think they read reviews, if anything. And it's so easy to check out what we have done. Like you, no one has asked me for names and contact information probably ever in the past 10 years that I've been my own broker.  Sellers are more interested in results. Buyers want to bond and feel like you know your stuff. Having said that, I don't go on "listing appointments", my business just comes to me.

May 05, 2020 03:57 PM
Rainmaker
5,215,388
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

It has been years since anyone asked for references.

May 06, 2020 04:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Neither have I and mostly for the same reason.  I have a few reviews online and I know people have checked them because they'll sometimes mention a particular review when I'm talking to them.

May 05, 2020 09:54 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

No asking for references anymore for me...take it or leave it

May 05, 2020 05:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,588
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

I do ask. Most are ok with it. Some are old

May 06, 2020 08:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

In 26+ years I've never been asked for a reference. Maybe that's because I publish my reviews and testimonials on line and put a paper copy of them in every buyer and seller packet or email them to prospective clients.

May 06, 2020 05:05 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

No one has asked that my brain has retained.

Age of references?  10 years.

Now, there is the situation where I may be asked to refer a contractor, painter, handyman and that compels a qualifying question. That question is, "Are you shopping price?"

May 06, 2020 05:50 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

No, most of my clients are referrals. The others ask a book full of questions and are happy with the answers

May 06, 2020 05:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Some of them are getting pretty old. I was noticing that here on AR I think where they are dated. Seems like I haven't gotten one in 3 yrs which isn't right. They are just now on G my Business, Yelp or 1 other one that I can't ever remember.

May 06, 2020 05:35 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Most people contact me because someone referred me to them... 

May 06, 2020 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

A liie surprising because of online reviews . 

May 06, 2020 03:46 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Like you, I have not been asked for a reference in about 10 years.  I provided the then two most current closed clients who provided an exceptional testimonial of my service and I was hired. 
If I were asked today, I rinse and repeat what I last did.  I respect my clients' privacy and always ask them if they are willing to talk to the person asking for the reference. 

May 06, 2020 09:33 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,945
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I am not asked for references.

May 06, 2020 08:19 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have not been asked in years.   They are on my website, Google, AR, and Zillow, and believe they would check those out before calling/contacting me.

May 06, 2020 07:16 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Yes but mostly for handyman or handy women.  I lie, only handyman.

May 06, 2020 04:37 PM
Rainer
135,724
Jerrill Ewing
N & J Lake Properties, LLC - Eatonton, GA
Builder

Almost every single house bid on come with that request.  But builders are a different business than agents.  I only build contract homes at this point in my long career.  (50 years) 

May 06, 2020 01:42 PM