Real estate agents move properties constantly—and cleaners are one of their most-needed referrals. Position yourself as their go-to cleaning partner, and you'll unlock a steady stream of move-in/move-out jobs without chasing individual homeowners.
Why Real Estate Agents Are Your Ideal Partners
Real estate agents handle dozens of closings per year. Between staging vacant properties, turnovers between tenants, and final walk-throughs before closing, they need reliable cleaners they can trust. Unlike homeowner referrals, agent partnerships create recurring, predictable revenue. An agent sending you 4–6 jobs monthly at $300–600 per job is $14,400–43,200 in annual revenue from a single relationship.
The best part: agents want to build relationships with service providers. They're actively looking for cleaners who show up on time, communicate clearly, and produce consistent results.
How to Approach Local Real Estate Agents
Start with agents in your service area. Look at recent sales on Zillow, Redfin, or your MLS website to identify brokers and agents who close deals regularly. Target independent agents and small brokerages first—they're more likely to forge direct partnerships than large franchises with existing vendor lists.
Your pitch should be simple: "I specialize in move-in and move-out cleaning. I work fast, photograph the finished property, and can handle rush jobs. Here's a sample of my work." No fluff. Agents care about reliability and speed.
Practical outreach steps:
- Call or email 10–15 agents per week with a one-paragraph intro and a link to your portfolio or Mercoly profile
- Offer a 10–15% discount on the first job to build confidence
- Ask for a brief coffee meeting or phone call—agents appreciate personalized contact
- Follow up after the initial job with photos, a brief note, and your availability for future projects
Setting Terms That Work for Both Parties
Real estate agents expect fast turnarounds. A typical timeline is 24–48 hours after a move-out or before a showing. Agree on deadlines upfront and deliver early when possible.
Price your move-out cleanings at $250–450 for a 2–3 bedroom home, depending on condition and local market rates. Move-in cleanings (cleaning before tenants arrive) might run $200–350 if the property is already mostly clean. Properties in poor condition or requiring post-construction cleanup can justify $500–800.
Discuss how you'll be paid. Some agents pay directly; others reimburse through the closing or expect the cleaning cost to be part of the tenant's move-in expenses. Clarify this before the first job.
Building a Recurring Relationship
After your first few jobs, make it easy for agents to keep hiring you. Send a monthly availability update or a simple text: "Currently available for move-in/move-out jobs. Let me know what you need."
Collect and share before-and-after photos. Real estate agents use these in follow-up emails to buyers and sellers. Quality visuals prove your value.
Ask for referrals. When an agent is satisfied, ask them to mention you to other agents in their office or network. Agent-to-agent referrals are gold.
Listing Your Services Where Agents Will Find You
Getting listed on a service directory like Mercoly helps real estate agents find you when they search for local cleaning services. A complete profile with pricing, service areas, photos, and reviews helps you win more jobs and gives agents confidence to make the referral.
Managing Multiple Agent Relationships
Once you land 3–4 agent partners, you'll have steadier work. A spreadsheet or simple CRM tracking each agent's name, phone, preferred communication method, and job frequency keeps you organized.
Set boundaries on availability. If two agents book you simultaneously, you'll need backup help. At 4–6 jobs per agent monthly, plan to hire part-time help around $16–20/hour or subcontract overflow to another cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I negotiate a standing discount for agents who send me regular work? Yes. Offering 10–15% off for recurring jobs (4+ per month) gives agents incentive to stick with you and helps you lock in steady revenue.
Q: How do I handle cancellations from agents? Set a 48-hour cancellation policy. Agents appreciate clarity upfront, and you avoid last-minute schedule gaps.
Q: What if an agent requests a job I can't fulfill? Refer them to another cleaner and ask to stay on their list for future jobs you can handle. Agents respect professionalism and honesty.
Start reaching out to agents in your area this week—one partnership often leads to three more.