Real Estate Blog - Drive In Real Estate - I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name!!

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Drive In Real Estate - I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name!!

Once in awhile - Ok more than a few times, people rush into the office looking for information on Real Estate in our area. They want to know what's for sale, and do we have maps. Well, of course we do! The problem I'm running into is that the other half of their family is waiting in the car, the dog's in the car, or they have to be somewhere else in the next 2 minutes, and they really don't have the time to sit down with me and visit about the area.

No, they definitely don't want me to get in the car with them either! It's difficult to get them to slow down enough to get their name, what they might be looking for and an email address. I would love to help them, I have the knowledge to help them, but they don't seem to have the time.

The other evening, as I was closing up the office, a nice couple pulled in the parking lot. Apparently they were at the locked front door, at the very same time I was going out the back. I saw their car, and went over to ask if I could help them. No, they didn't have time to come in; they were in a hurry to get back home.

Yes, I had a brochure, and a business card, in the office - so I proceeded to run back into the office and get those items.

We chatted a bit, me outside the driver's open window, with them still in the car - engine running. Did I know where this one house was? I ran back into the office to get a map so that I could show them the way.

If anyone was watching by now, I must have looked pretty funny running back and forth from the office to their car!

We introduced ourselves, but without pen and paper, I can't remember their names, now - and they seemed like such nice people too!

Now I ask you, is this any way to conduct business?!!!

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I appreciate hearing from you!

Posted by Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado on 08/27/2009 01:05 PM

Comments (41)

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41 Comments on Drive In Real Estate - I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name!!

AUG

No, it is not the way to conduct business, but this is not uncommon. Similar situations occur at open houses when the "tire kickers" (sorry potential clients) come by and will not even state their first name and believe that you are only there so they can have a quick free "looksee." They state they do not have time as the cover story for "i'm not giving you any personal info."

Sometimes buyers think we are a public servant. But under those circumstances, I'd probably whip out my BlackBerry and say, "What's your name and cell?" Then I'd put it into my address book. I don't ask people for this information, I tell them to give it to me, and they do. :)

Mary, well your photo grabbed my attention but I see your concept of drive in real estate. Shouldn't she be wearing roller skates??

Hello Janet & Graham, It's frustrating to me, but I guess it happens all the time :-( Thank you for your take on it!

Hi Elizabeth, From the parking lot incident I have learned, regardless of where I am to get their names from this day forward! :-) I don't mind being a public servant, LOL!! I do need to follow up with them, to see if they got off the mountain. Thanks, for your thoughts- I appreciate that.

HAHAHA! Gary, I thought roller skates would have been a great touch, too! Thank you Gary, it's nice to see you today!

Yup, been there and done that. And I'm thinking of removing the magazine rack from my porch, since sometimes people grab and run even when we are open.

Hi Mary, You look really cute in the realtor drive-in uniform. Now all you need are the roller skates!

Hi Mary-I can picture you on roller skates and your hair blowing in the wind. Love it. :-)

Maybe they'll remember how nice you were running all around and call. My fingers are crossed!

Mary,

I have experienced lots of people who seem to be wishing the office was a drive-by. I tend to give them the info they want but no running is involved on my part. I try to see if they wish to come by the office after they are done eating, shopping, driving around or whatever they seem to be in a rush to do so that I get the time to collect and provide them the best info possible. They usually are content to hear that as they get to do their fun business and are happy to not be waiting in a real estate office while others are waiting on them. I usually just get the chance to get their first names on this first quick-in quick-out experience. When they do come back, that is when I am usually successful to get their last name and email address.

Gerry's AR signature

Are the buyers really thinking that us real people are just like the internet?

Mary...

It depends on what kind of mood I'm in, but generally, if I ask for a name and only get a first name I assume that they are not serious buyers.

Mary - I'm looking at the car. It's a 1956 Chevy in my favorite colors. That being said, I think the way clientele "would like" to work is influenced heavily by their access to the internet. Getting them to settle down and get serious is an art form:-)

Mary,

Sometimes people think we are out to get their money when in fact all we want to do is help them find what they are looking for..... Go figure.

Ann

Hey Mary, you took a chance that your kindness would pay off. Unfortunately they didn't even get out of the car or turn their engine off. My thought is that if they were really serious about buying a home, they'd make the time to at least get out of their car.

Tammy, We have a magazine rack out front too, right by the front door...and yes even during business hours many people will take the information and hopefully come back at a later date. :-) Thanks Tammy, I know I'm not the only one this happens to :-(

LOL Thank you Shirley, Would you like fries with that?

Thanks Pat, That paints a funny picture doesn't it? Maybe I'll try it - people would remember that!

Hi Gerry, I think that's a good approach. We often give them passes to get into the Subdivision that requires one, and they need to bring them back to us when they are done --- that is another opportunity to visit a little more and try to help if they would like us to. I like your idea, thanks Gerry.

Hi Jim, In this day and age of quick information, perhaps they do! I never thought of it that way. Thanks for your thoughts on this tonight.

Stacey-Ann, my fingers are crossed too. They said they weren't working with anyone and they have my card, so I hope so ;-) Thanks for that thought!

Richard, I think you're probably right. Contact info and a last name are a good start! Thanks, I appreciate your input tonight.

Myrl, isn't that a fantastic car? I appreciate your idea about the art form - one I have not quite developed, I think! Otherwise there would be no post today LOL

Hi Ann, Maybe that's true, they don't understand we really do want to help. Maybe in my new outfit and roller skates I won't look so threatening HAHAHAHAHA!!

Hi Craig, You might be right about that - they were in a terrible hurry to get home, their home was 2 plus hours away....on this night they just wanted to run in and get quick info, I'm sure. I hop (hope) it will pay off :-) Thanks, Craig!

Hello Mary !

Well this is actually one that I havent come across before. Maybe because my office doesnt do floor time, but any clients I have usually come by way of referral and I get to spend time, but I can see the craziness of the drive by clients that 'stop by' like you mentioned !

... to be honest, like Gary, it took me about 10 seconds to get past the photo before I even knew what your post was about !!!!!!! LOLOLOLOLOL !!!!

... good choice of picture - and how old were you when you were captured in that photo ???????

Cheers !

Sheldon ;o)

Mary, It kind of happens on the Internet also. They leave you only their email address with no name. It is almost like they are afraid you might contact them. Now occasionally one of those does turn in to a real lead so you never know.

Hi Sheldon! When I was little, we would go to A & W for root beer floats, the car hops would come out with the tray of floats, and we'd drink them in the car. I thought that looked like a really cool job, plus all the cute guys hung out there too -- well, I never got to be a car hop - so that's not my picture! LOL!

and yes it is a bit crazy with people walking in and driving by, bless the buyers who call ahead and make appointments, I actually have all the information together by the time they arrive, and we do get to spend time . I appreciate you stopping by, Sheldon - glad you liked the photo :-)

Hi Marchel, You're right about that. I often look up listings that those people might like, and email them along with some brief information about our area - I hate to see those emails returned as undeliverable because they typed their email address incorrectly - then there is no way to contact them at all..... I appreciate you thoughts about it, thanks Marchel!

My husband had the most clever idea... I'm going to print a flyer to drop inside of the magazine box to cover the magazine that says "Available inside" for during business hours. Got to get them in the door to have half a chance. BY the way... I'd love to see you in roller skates.

OK, not a Realtor, many times a buyer, but I have never sat in a running car and talked to a Realtor. I HAVE given only my first name, said "just looking" and all of those other annoying things that Realtors don't like. Here is a little insight: Realtors, you know how you get really irritated with all of those spam e-mails, junk snail mail and advertisements from all manner of people who want to sell you something? Thats what your "looky-loos" are afraid of... as my own house buying habits have changed since the opportunity to shop on the internet, I find myself being even MORE "secretive" about my search. In the old days, I would grab a magazine, and try to figure out where a house was before I asked to see it, I didn't want to waste the Realtors time. It is a catch-22. I like to see all of my available options, Realtors would prefer to narrow it down to show less than I want to see. I try to alleviate the problem, by "previewing" on my own, Realtors want to nail me down. I don't know if this is true for others, but ONCE I am ready to "look to buy", I go to the agent who did not press me too hard for info, and freely gave what I asked for...and that I had a sense that they really wanted to help me, Even here in the Rain, some of those characteristics come through loud and clear, and Miss Mary would be my agent in Red Feather Lakes! Maybe just me, but that's my 2 cents...

Hi Tammy, That's a fantastic idea! When people come in we get to meet them, and we can begin to build a relationship. As for the roller skates, I could probably skate, it's the falling down part that worries me - I don't think I bounce as good as I used to! LOL!

AUG

Hi Mary,

I love the photo and Gary is right about the roller skates! Elizabeth is right pulling out a blackberry or I-Phone and getting the name and number (after introducing myself) is the surest way to go. Unfortunately people today are always in a hurry and want instant gratification! It's good to be back from vacation and back to ActiveRain. Great post!

Hi Cheryl, Thank you so much for your insight! I'm sure you are right about being blasted with email and junk mail- we are all sick of that! I appreciate your thoughts, and Cheryl, if you ever want to look up here, I would be honored! :-) Thanks, friend!

Hi Dorie, I have been wondering where you were! Thank you so much for your input it seems I need skates and next time I meet someone in the parking lot, I will definitely get their name and numbers in my phone so that I can follow up! Thanks Dorie, hope you are all rested up and have a great weekend!

Hi Mary, I'm so LOL@ Tammy's husband's clever idea!

Well as a buyer I thought it was in my best interest to get an RE agent first, then check out homes go figure! Hey I was a serious buyer. Well at least it showed you had patience and were a very personable person. That has to go a long way in my book. Oh and I would love to see you in you skates too, ;)

Okay...this is really funny in a way and I love the picture. We still take phone/desk duty at my office and have walk ins and it's very difficult to establish rapport in a few minutes, I do try an get contact info and most of the time have pen and paper at hand. This business is full of quirks, have a good weekend!

Mary, if not roller skates, maybe a cherry to top the "car side" presentation! lol Well, maybe this was just a fleeting contact but who knows, they may remember you as the helpful agent going out of her way after hours to help them. You may hear from them again when you least expect it!

It is kind of like the Internet. Everyone wants everything right here, right now. Definitely not good for real estate.

It is so frustrating when that happens! So many times it seems like a one way street with SOME buyers - they want all the info but won't give any and if they do it is so vague! Love the idea for the mag rack outside of the office!

Hi Cyn, Just my opinion, but I think that's the fastest way to get what you want - but everyone has their own way of doing things, like Cheryl - she had a different thought process. When I get my skates on, I'll send you a photo LOL but don't hold your breath.... Thanks for coming by today, I appreciate that Cynthia!

Hi Russell, You're right this business is full of quirks, I find many of them humorous and funny - some not so much! Thanks for your input, I hope you have a great weekend, too!

Hi Silvia, I like that idea, here's my card, here's a map, here's the brochure with a cherry on top! LOL!! I'm hoping I will hear from them again! Thank you Silvia, I appreciate that!

Hi Melissa, I think you are right, it seems so anyway. I don't think it's good for real estate at all, there are too many ins and outs of this business - and I don't mean run in and run out! LOL!!! Thanks for your take on it, Melissa! Have a great weekend!

Hi Leesa, Thank you for stopping by today! I like the idea of the magazine rack insert too, or a bungi cord hooked onto the doorknob and each flyer HAHAHAHA!! I think you're right, sometimes it is a one way street, some buyers are just driving down it in the wrong direction?

Hey Mary, Now I am envisioning you wearing that little "cheerleaders" uniform, running back and forth from their car to the office. How cute you must have looked (and smiling the whole time too, I bet)! -LOL.

Hi Sandy, I'm not sure about cute, but I was probably smiling :-) that uniform is just a little too skimpy for this "old lady" that is a vision we don't need, Sandy!! LOL I appreciate you coming by and commenting - I hope you have a great weekend!

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Mary:

Yep, I've done that!

I try to always get their name and phone number first, then I give them all the information they could ever ask for!

Sounds like you and I wear the same brand of roller skates!

Hi Toula, I think you have it down. Their apparent sense of urgency and my lack of the usual desk stuff threw me off - Live & Learn!! I don't have any skates yet, Toula - I'm going to have to get a pair ! LOL! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I appreciate it!

Living in a tourist area has brought us the same type of person as in your part of the world - always in a hurry! AR taught me too to immediately enter their contact details on my phone. Love the photos :)

Hi Susan, Then you know exactly what I'm talking about! Have you considered having a car hop at your establishment? LOL!! Yes, contact details, phone, got it! Thank you Susan, I hope you have a great weekend!

Mary,

I am wondering when you have this photo taken. You had much darker hair then....

Ann

AUG

LOL Ann! I never got to be a car hop - well until the other day! On another note about hair color, I really am supposed to have darker hair but when the color wears off it tends to get a little lighter. :-0 Thanks for coming by, hope you have a great weekend, Ann!

Hi Mary, I got tickled thinking of you in roller skates. I hope you hear from these folks again!

Have a great day,

Ann

Thank you Ann! I really hope I do, too! The roller skate theme has been fun to think about :-) I hope you have a great day, thanks for stopping by Ann!

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