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Today and tomorrow, I'll be talking to you about the ways that you should be connecting when it comes to handwritten notes. Today I'm going to go over five handwritten note types, and tomorrow I'll give you another five. Let's get right into this one. I'm Tristan Almada. This is your daily real estate. It's a podcast. It's a show, five to ten minutes every single day for two and a half years so far. Kind of crazy. Handwritten notes are going to become even more important in the coming years because not only is social media changed the way our world works, but AI is creating a more inauthentic world, and people are already wanting to connect more in person and in a more sincere way. And what better way to do it? Here we go. Number one, home anniversary. You may be thinking, Tristan, why would somebody like to get a home anniversary handwritten note? It just. It doesn't make sense. I'm like, wait, it's all about how you make people feel. This whole thing of writing handwritten notes is all about how you make people feel. And this business is a real estate business, any sales business, any business is how you make people feel. And so I've got written down right here, home anniversary. What do you write? Acknowledge the anniversary of someone's home purchase. Right. I like that. Because when you acknowledge the day they moved in, they start thinking about everything else that has happened in that home. And if it's been five years, if it's been 10 years, you start creating this feeling with people that relates to everything that they've built in this home to you. And look, they're the ones who purchased the home. You just facilitated it, you helped them in the process. But all of those good feelings about the home, and hopefully they're good, it all comes back down to you. So in the note, it's going to sound like. And I have an example here, it's going to sound like this. Hey, Joe, can you believe it's been four years since you moved into your home on whatever street? You don't even have to put the street. Time flies. I still remember. And you can put that specific date. Hope the house has been good to you. And if they have family. Family. If they have a dog. Dog, whatever. Here's to many more years of memories. Cheers. That's it. Simple. Number two, sympathy or loss. And you've got to be careful with this one because I've used this one sparingly. But typically it's reaching out to somebody when they've lost a loved one when they've lost a pet or they're going through grief, and in some cases they have a sickness. And it's a simple letter, right? I've got it right here. But remember, there's got to be some empathy to it. Dear Joanne, I'm sorry to hear about whatever it is, Peter, or I'm sorry to hear you're sick or you're going through whatever. There are really words that help in moments like this. But I wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and your family or I'm thinking of you or whatever it is. If you. If you want an ear that can listen or if you. If you need to call a friend, right. Feel free to reach out to me, right? Or maybe it's a situation where they want to have coffee. The one thing I don't want you to do on this one is say something like if there's anything I can do, because it's not specific, right? So when you write it down, get really specific. Welcome to the neighborhood. This one is if you know a specific person or who moved into your neighborhood, neighbor, farm area, this is where I would use it. But this is what you write typically. Hey, Joanne, welcome to the neighborhood. Right? Or congratulations on your new job. I've also sent that one, too, but I like to keep it on the neighborhood. I know transitions can be a lot, so I'm dropping this quick note to say I'm glad you're here. If you'd like to know more about the neighborhood or the hiking trail or the community, let me know. I'm just one quick call away. Or if you'd like to send out for coffee, coffee's on me, right? Let's do a face to face. And don't hesitate to reach out. Here's my number. That one's worked well for us. In fact, we did this exact same one on Next Day door a couple of times right before COVID and then right when Covid was easing out. And I did it just to say, hey, guys, I'm in. I'm in the neighborhood, and we don't want to have coffee just to get to know each other. That was it. And it worked. But that one works very well. Number four, a birthday note. This is probably the easiest one you can do. And if you don't know birthdays, just go on Facebook. Facebook tells you when everybody's birthday is, right? You can pick which person you want to actually write a handwritten note to, and it's pretty easy. Hey, Joe. Hey, Joann. What do we Got here. Happy birthday. I hope this year brings you everything you're working toward and a few good surprises. You weren't right. The world's better with you in it. And I'm grateful our paths crossed. Eat the cake. Take the day. Cheers. Tristan. It's all about making people feel good, recognized, making them feel significant. It's number five. And then we'll have five more tomorrow. What to write. This is for people you've lost touch with. This is re. I call it reconnect. Reconnection is the key to this one. To number five. Don't apologize for the gap. I know. Sometimes when we haven't reached out to past clients for a long time, you start with an apology. I'm so sorry I haven't reached out. Well, guess what. They haven't reached out either. Right? You both haven't made it an effort to connect and reach out, so don't start that way. It's about really just reconnecting. So my letter. If you're going to write a letter to this one. Hey, Joanne. You crossed my mind today, and I realized it's been way too unk. No agenda here. Just want to say I thought of you. I just want to say I miss you. Whatever. This. This is your verbiage? I miss you or I miss our conversations? If you're up for grabbing a coffee or jumping on a quick call to catch up, to see how work is, family is the home is. Whatever that is. Get specific. I'd love that. Let's talk soon. You see, all of these revolve around two and tomorrow will be the same thing. They revolve around specifics. Because I hate vagueness. Vagueness doesn't tell me that you care. Specifics do. And number two is you're making people feel amazing again. The dopamine dealer situation. Right. That's what it's about. Anyway, tune in tomorrow. Thank you again. I'm Tristan, your daily real estate. Share this with somebody who wants to write note cards or is writing out cards and needs more ideas.
Title: 5 Handwritten Notes That Actually Get Listings
Host: Tristan Ahumada
Podcast: Your Daily Real Estate Podcast
Date: May 17, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes
Tristan Ahumada explores the power of handwritten notes in real estate, focusing on five specific types that can help agents authentically connect with clients, spark positive feelings, and, ultimately, generate business opportunities. With the increasingly digital and AI-driven world, Tristan argues that sincere, personal outreach stands out more than ever.
Purpose: Celebrate the client's home purchase anniversary and evoke positive memories.
Strategy: Reference the date, specific details (family, pets), and acknowledge milestones.
Sample Verbiage [01:28]:
“Hey, Joe, can you believe it's been four years since you moved into your home... Time flies... Hope the house has been good to you... Here's to many more years of memories. Cheers.”
Key Insight:
“It's all about how you make people feel... all those good feelings about the home... it all comes back down to you.” [01:05]
Purpose: Offer empathy during times of loss or sickness.
Strategy: Be specific, sincere, avoid vague offers—focus on listening or tangible support.
Sample Verbiage [02:09]:
“Dear Joanne, I'm sorry to hear about... I wanted you to know I’m thinking of you and your family... If you want an ear that can listen, or if you need to call a friend, feel free to reach out.”
Pro Tip:
“The one thing I don't want you to do on this one is say something like ‘if there’s anything I can do,’ because it’s not specific.” [02:54]
Purpose: Greet new neighbors or clients moving in.
Strategy: Offer help with the transition, share community info, or invite for coffee.
Sample Verbiage [03:10]:
“Hey, Joanne, welcome to the neighborhood... If you’d like to know more about the neighborhood... I’m just one quick call away. Or if you’d like to send out for coffee, coffee’s on me.”
Success Story:
“We did this exact same one on Nextdoor... just to say, ‘Hey guys, I’m in the neighborhood, and we want to have coffee just to get to know each other.’ And it worked.” [03:55]
Purpose: Make clients feel remembered and celebrated.
Strategy: Use Facebook to gather birthdays, keep the note warm and personal.
Sample Verbiage [04:21]:
“Happy birthday. I hope this year brings you everything you’re working toward and a few good surprises you weren’t [expecting]... The world’s better with you in it, and I’m grateful our paths crossed. Eat the cake. Take the day. Cheers. Tristan.”
Key Insight:
“It’s all about making people feel good, recognized, making them feel significant.” [04:40]
Purpose: Re-establish contact with past clients or acquaintances in a natural way.
Strategy: Avoid apologizing for the gap; just express sincere interest in reconnecting.
Sample Verbiage [05:02]:
“Hey, Joanne. You crossed my mind today, and I realized it’s been way too long. No agenda here—just wanted to say I thought of you... If you’re up for grabbing a coffee or jumping on a quick call to catch up... I’d love that.”
Pro Tip:
“Don’t apologize for the gap... you both haven’t made the effort to connect and reach out, so don’t start that way. It’s about really just reconnecting.” [05:30]
Tristan’s advice is practical and empathetic, stripped of salesyness in favor of authentic relationship-building. He emphasizes using specifics to show genuine care and avoiding formulaic, vague expressions. Listeners leave with clear, actionable examples and the mindset that meaningful, handwritten notes are invaluable tools for real estate professionals aiming to deepen connections and get more listings.
Share this episode with fellow agents looking to up their personal touch game in real estate. Five more note ideas promised in the next episode.