Michael Fanning - Windermere Ask a Coach Podcast Host
David Rush
- Experience: 35 years in real estate (since 1990)
- Market Area: Green Lake and surrounding Central North Seattle neighborhoods
- Business Focus: Sphere-based business serving longtime clients
- Contact:
Jill Sjolin
- Experience: 25 years in real estate
- Market Area: Woodinville office, serves 405/I-5 corridor from Seattle to Skagit and San Juan counties
- Specialties: Second homes, island properties, boating clients
- Background: Former Nordstrom employee
- Contact:
Rebecca Espinoza
- Role: Windermere Relocation Referral Services Coordinator
- Experience: Since late 2015
- Service Area: Manages referral placements across Windermere's footprint and beyond
- Contact:
- Host introduction and guest backgrounds
- Market areas each agent serves
- Overview of Windermere's geographic footprint
- David's early experience trying to manage referrals independently
- The importance of not working outside your expertise area
- Jill's confidence in Windermere's network quality
- Comparison to "Nordstrom of real estate companies"
- Flexible communication options with referring agents
- Same-day referral placement examples
- Rebecca's quick response times and problem-solving
- Case study: Last-minute weekend referral success
- International referral capabilities and challenges
- David's story about Vashon Island referral replacement
- Jill's experience with client preference mismatches
- Rebecca's immediate response to issues
- Importance of follow-up and tracking
- Average referral fee: $3,200
- Potential annual income from 4-5 referrals
- "Surprise check" factor - passive income benefit
- Importance of detailed client information gathering
- 2-business-day turnaround standard (often within hours)
- Geographic scope: Domestic US coverage, some international
- Leading Real Estate Companies of the World partnership
- 30-day follow-up protocol
- Administrative handling and payment guarantee
- Cost structure: 30% referral fee (20% to referring agent, 6% to network, 4% to department)
- Conversion rate: 89% vs. 25% industry standard for self-placed referrals
- Advice for agents considering DIY approach
- Comparison to FSBO seller mentality
- Integration into listing presentations
- Sphere of influence opportunities
- Retirement relocation trends
- Multiple-destination shopping support
- Janet Weldon for Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana
- Encouragement for both agents and potential relocating clients
- Final advice and contact details for all guests
- Call to action for ratings and topic suggestions
- Host contact: fanning@windermere.com
- Professional referral services provide higher conversion rates (89% vs 25% self-placed)
- Average referral fee of $3,200 creates significant passive income opportunity
- Quick turnaround times (often same-day placement in populated areas)
- Comprehensive geographic coverage across domestic US with international capabilities
- Built-in quality control with problem resolution and agent replacement when needed
- Administrative burden removed from referring agents with full tracking and payment handling
- Leading Real Estate Companies of the World network
- Windermere's franchise footprint
- International referral partnerships
- "Getting Referrals Without Asking" by Stacy Brown Randall
For more episodes and coaching resources, visit the Windermere Ask a Coach podcast series.
