There’s a difference between staying in touch and staying remembered.
At Metropolist, we’ve seen the quiet power of handwritten notes in real estate not just as a charming touchpoint, but as a meaningful, business-building habit. These aren’t about slick marketing or quick wins. They’re about showing up with care, curiosity, and consistency.
Just ask Chad Zinda, co-founder of Metropolist, who once held an open house in West Seattle. A neighborhood renter stopped by—just browsing. They chatted briefly, no high-pressure pitch. But later that week, Chad dropped off a handwritten note at the man’s rental home. It simply said:
“If you ever want to consider buying, one of the first services I offer is a buyer consultation.”
No flashy flyer. No CTA-heavy email. Just a pen, a few words, and a moment of genuine connection. That note started a relationship. And eventually, that relationship turned into a client.
This is what we mean when we say the little things matter. Especially in a people-first business.
Why Handwritten Notes Still Matter
In an era of automations, inbox bloat, and algorithm-chasing, a handwritten note cuts through the noise. It’s tactile, intentional, and deeply human.
When a client gets a notecard in the mail or dropped on their porch, it tells them:
-
You paused for them.
-
You care enough to notice something good, or meaningful, or just worthy of acknowledgement.
-
You’re not trying to sell them something. You’re connecting.
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s neuroscience. Studies show that handwriting engages memory and emotion more deeply than typed or texted communication. A handwritten note is remembered—and in real estate, being remembered is the name of the game.
Unlike bulk mailers or CRM drips, handwritten notes in real estate stay visible, emotional, and, more often than you think, displayed on a fridge, a counter, or a desk. That’s powerful marketing.
A System Built Into the Metropolist Routine
At Metropolist, we don’t just tell brokers to send notecards; we build it into the rhythm of our week.
Every Tuesday, during our company-wide business meeting, brokers are given five free notecards. It’s not a giveaway. It’s a nudge. A way to say:
“Here’s your next five chances to deepen connection.”
Some write their notes right there at the meeting. Others take them home and follow up after pop-bys or client check-ins. Either way, we’ve turned a soft skill into a repeatable system.
We also have notecards available at our front desk all week. Brokers are encouraged to use them after listing appointments, buyer tours, even casual conversations. And in Momentum meetings, we often hear people share the ripple effects of a single card sent in the right moment.
What to Write (Without Overthinking It)
You don’t need a script. You don’t need perfect prose.
Here’s what makes a notecard feel meaningful:
-
It’s specific: “Saw your post about your daughter’s graduation—congrats!”
-
It’s simple: “Thanks again for the coffee. Great to catch up.”
-
It’s sincere: “I’m thinking of you and hope your move went smoothly.”
Here’s what it’s not:
-
A pitch
-
A market update
-
A push for business
The business happens when people trust you. And trust comes from thoughtful, low-pressure connection.
For brokers who lead with empathy, handwritten notes offer a rare opportunity to connect without selling, making them one of the most trusted forms of follow-up.
Track It, But Keep It Light
You don’t need a CRM overhaul to track your notes. Some brokers use Google Sheets. Others create a tag in Follow Up Boss or simply jot it down in a notebook. The amazing thing about the Metropolist brand hanging their license at Compass is that we do have access to an amazing CRM.
What matters most is visibility. You’ll want to avoid sending three notes to the same person in the same week or forgetting who you’ve reached out to recently.
Think of it as a relationship rhythm. Track just enough to keep the music flowing.
What Happens When You Make This a Habit
-
Your warm list stays warm. People don’t forget how you made them feel.
-
You stay top-of-mind without being loud.
-
You build trust in the quiet moments, not just during high-stakes negotiations.
Real estate isn’t just won in listings and closings. It’s won in small, repeated moments of care. The notecard after a casual drop-by. The note congratulating someone on a life milestone. The card that says “I see you,” even when there’s nothing transactional at stake.
One Metropolist broker shared recently that they sent a note to a friend after noticing a celebratory post online. No real estate mentioned. A week later, that friend referred them to a buyer.
That’s not magic. That’s momentum.
What It Signals to Your Sphere
-
That you are attentive, not just active.
-
That you operate with intention, not just hustle.
-
That you value people, not just production.
In a sea of brokers sending bulk emails, handwritten notes say:
“I’m still in your corner. Not because I want something, but because I care.”
Want to Work Somewhere That Builds Systems Like This?
If you’re an agent who’s felt pulled in too many directions, or overwhelmed by shiny marketing trends that don’t resonate—you’re not alone.
At Metropolist, we believe that real estate is still a relationship business. And we give you the tools, time, and training to build that kind of business on purpose.
-
5 free notecards every Tuesday
-
Built-in time to write and reflect
-
A culture that rewards connection over competition
You don’t have to make handwritten notes a “nice idea” that never happens. We’ll help you make it a habit with peer support, accountability, and visible results.
Closing Thought
You don’t need a new ad strategy. You don’t need to run Facebook funnels.
You need to be remembered. And a handwritten note sent with care, from a broker who actually listens, is one of the smartest, most sustainable ways to do that.
“I always ask at the end of a transaction, what made you hire me?” says Chad. “And sometimes people say, you were the only one that sent a thank you note.“
Because when people feel seen, they trust you. And when they trust you, they call you.
