Does anyone have good advice for a painter looking to create referral relationships with a realtor?

Start talking to the homeowners with whom you are working or have recently worked.  Are they painting their home because they may want to sell soon?  Did they just move in? Who was their realtor? Do they have a business card? Would your agent mind if I called them? Not moving--great, who was your agent?

And Scott is right, if you do good work, use good products, are reliable, responsible and trustworthy and you get in with one agent, the whole office will hear about you. And if you manage to snag one agent, perhaps they can help arrange for you to bring a pizza lunch for the office after one of their sales meetings so you can pass out cards, brochures and/or photos of your work. 

Finally, and this is important...once the ball is rolling, and you ask your next client if they are painting because they want to sell and they say yes but they haven't talked to an agent yet--refer that agent who got you started as a thank you.

ps. send me your info, maybe I can get you started...guess what I do for a living? ;)

When I first moved to Colorado, I found a local real estate association that met monthly and started making some contacts that way for my handyman/remodeling business, which has the same customer base as painters.  Then I found and joined a local Business Networking International group (BNI) which is referral oriented and now get 80% of my work through my numerous referral partners.

Having come from the Napa Valley and now established in Texas for 11 years ($1,000,00.00 in sales last year) ... Realtor relationships are best seen as "passive".  In other words, I wouldn't spend much time trying to establish a relationship with them as it will naturally develop over time.  I WOULD try to get connected with interior decorators ... if your quality and customer service are established they are the next step once a foundation has been laid.

A quick note on paint (since the previous post mentioned the "good stuff").  With over 20 years of experience using SW, KM, BM, Lowes, and Home Depot there certainly are differences in paint lines.  We've found excellent paints in all lines (i.e. we only use Sherwin Williams Exterior SuperPaint and found their LIFE TIME warranty to be true).  Benjamin Moore has some excellent paints and awesome colors but overall too pricey.

I would agree with Chad Gilchrist to some degree.  Often realtors just want what is needed to make the house passable which can not only be frustrating in terms of your own standards of quality but can mean piecemeal work.  Also they are not looking to spend a lot of money because they can't be guaranteed to get the money back out of it from the sale of the house.  I think you would need a lot of volume from a number of realtors to make it worthwhile.  On the flip side of it if you can be the painter the realtor is recommending to new homeowners who want to get a makeover before they move in, that work can be okay.  It usually comes along with a tight and specific timeline which if you are already really busy may be a challenge to meet.  I have found those types of referrals more often come from friends or relatives of the new homeowner than the realtor.

Nice Post Scott!

I too just use Benjamin Moore paints.

I work for several Real Estate Agents.

When you run an estimate for their clients, remember if they are selling their home and it’s a stressful time for them.

Get to know your real estate market, talk to the agent and ask what needs to be done. If it’s a sellers market not much.

Dressing up the front door neutralize some deep colors etc.

Do I think you have to wine and dine them no.

If it’s a big job send them a gift certificate to a restaurant.

The best way to connect is to ask your present clients who their Realtor is and ask them for their referral.

Get on the phone and get an email with your work so you can send out once they want to see your work. Spend a 1/2 hour a day after 10:00 am. Most realtors call for there leads from 9 - 10 am. They will be impressed that you called them for leads. Luc

I would join your local Board of Realtors, we have had a lot of success with this.

Hi. I work for a lot of real estate firms. You might find it frustrating as they seem to always want to get their client a cheap Painter.
My best success is with the commercial realators. Office space etc. Those guys want a reliable painting co that gets it done on time. Price less of an isssue.

Realtors are an excellent resource for obtaining quality referrals. Always remember your representing them also when you get a job from them. Quality, courtesy,  neatness, and fair pricing is critical.  Never use inexpensive paints, when trying to achieve an excellent job. Always follow up, and take pictures for future realtors. Hope this helps you.

Try joining a networking group. I belong to LeTip. Our chapter in Lake Forest (the number one chapter in Orange County for 7 years running) has a dynamic team of real estate professionals and have an opening for a painter. Contact me for further details.