A good article in the NY Times about local Realtors going the extra mile for their listings.

A Little Alfredo With That Listing?

A mention of Winkler Real Estate

In the interest of keeping his clients happy, after a ranch house he listed was inspected, Ed Schmid, an agent with Winkler Real Estate in West Islip, climbed a tree and cut off a limb that was hanging over the house. He put a fresh seal coat on the driveway, after asking the homeowner to buy the supplies. He often shovels snow for his clients.

“Instead of telling somebody to hire someone,” Mr. Schmid said, “I take care of it for them. It keeps them loyal to me.”

And one for Century 21 American Homes in Babylon Village.

Mary Adams, a managing partner at Century 21 American Homes in Babylon Village, said her agents had been doing garage sales at no cost to clients; getting furnaces fixed; mowing lawns; or picking up the cost of a lawn-care service.

While parents shop for real estate, one agent serves as a baby sitter and another shows homes. Once a home sells, agents take elderly homeowners shopping for boxes and moving supplies and help them pack.

“There is the psychological end of all of this, pretty much holding their hand through everything,” Ms. Adams said. “Years ago, it was more about the real estate, about, ‘Here are the homes, choose one.’ ”