If people don't value your time they certainly won't value your relationship.

Home : Blogs : Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc : Broker Bryant's Real Estate Ramblings

If people don't value your time they certainly won't value your relationship.

Get off me!! Time. Mine is valuable. Is yours? One thing that agents struggle with is being in control of their time. How often have you popped out to show property at the last minute? Or had to cancel a personal event because one of your customer/clients needed to see you? What about the Buyer who can only look at properties every other Saturday from 4-7 pm? Do you work with them? I don't.

Here's a fact. There are NO real estate emergencies.

Here's another fact. You will NEVER be caught up. There will always be another call to make. Another website to update.

If you want to have lasting success in this business and avoid burn out you MUST get control of your time. Work by appointment only.

Don't let others dictate your schedule. Don't do same day appointments. Just let them go. It will save you a lot of aggravation in the long run. If people don't respect your time they will never respect the relationship. That's a fact.

Let folks know at first contact how you work and when you work. People will appreciate knowing these things up front. If your schedule doesn't fit with theirs then just let them go. We can't work with everybody.

Once you set boundaries with your time a funny thing will happen.....you'll start attracting people that will work within your time frames. And because of this you will be less stressed and you will become better at what you do.

Do you believe that? Well even if you don't it's still true. You just need to trust me on this one. Can you do that?

Do you need a new Broker?

Want to find out more? www.TTRealtyNet.com

Customer Testimonials

Tutas Towne Realty has already successfully negotiated Short Sales with the following Lenders and Investors.

Chase Short Sale,Sun Trust Short Sale, GMAC Short Sale, Wells Fargo Short Sale,Bank of America Short Sale,USA Bank Short Sale,PNC Bank Short Sale,Citi Short Sale,HomeEq Short Sale,Fifth Third Bank Short Sale,ING Direct Short Sale,GreenTree Short Sale,Capital One Short Sale,ASC Short Sale,First Horizon Short Sale,E-Trade Short Sale,Transland Financial Short Sale,US Bank Short Sale,IBM LBPS Short Sale,
Nationstar Short Sale,BAC Florida Short Sale,Real Time Solutions Short Sale,Fannie Mae Short Sale
FHA Short Sale,Selene Finance Short Sale,DTA Solutions LLC Short sale,Flagstar Short Sale,IndyMac Short Sale

******************************************************************
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc handles Florida real estate sales, Florida short sales, Florida strategic short sales, Florida pre-foreclosure sales, Florida foreclosures in Kissimmee Florida Short Sales, Davenport Florida Short Sales, Haines City Florida Short Sales, Poinciana Florida Short Sales, Solivita Florida Short Sales, Orlando Florida Short Sales, Celebration Florida Short Sales, Winderemere Florida Short Sales. Serving all of Polk, Osceola and Orange Counties Florida. Florida Short Sale Broker. Short Sale Florida.

Posted by Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc on 02/09/2010 10:54 AM

Comments (104)

Time Management in the Training Channel

motivational, time management

Originally posted at: BrokerBryant.com: If people don't value your time they certainly won't value your relationship.

Generate short URL

Post is included in group: Real Estate Rookie

104 Comments on If people don't value your time they certainly won't value your relationship.

FEB

2010

Yes we always haveappointments scheduled though out the day, so to schedule a listing appointment will have to be scheduled into the weeks events. I like my 1:30 nap appointment:)

funny I just had the conversation with another agent. he got a call from someone that wanted to see a condo this afternoon and he could not accodate it. he felt bad. caller got ticked off. I said honestly you don't want clients like that. No respect and then if we won't accomdate them they say something like "isn't it your job?" to which I say bite me. Unprofessional I know but I do have appointments and can not accomdate everyone.

Oops!! This was just an idea a thought I had placed in draft.

FEB

2010

Around here if the customer can only look at homes every other Saturday from 4-7 pm they'll never own a home. I had a buyer call last night asking to see 2 homes on Saturday. My reponse was basically "Sure, if they're still aviailable".

I also make the most of my time by having all paperwork organized and ready in order to move forward. Great point with this post BB!

It reminds me of a phrase I heard somewhere once that has really stuck with me - "We teach people how to treat us." Also, what kind of impression does it leave when an agent is available anytime??? Hmmm... smacks of desperation.

Broker Bryant.....after 32 years, I do have a "more in control" attitude about making appointments.....but all of my appointments are with builder/developers and I have to admit, I do try to accommmodate them because they are always stretched further than they should be....when I was in my infancy in this profession, I will admit, I wanted the listing appointments and when they called, I did not waste any time getting there.....32 years later, they're still calling, and my team members do not waste any time getting there!!! that's my rule.

Bryant,

Very Good!

No one will respect your time if you don't! That doesn't mean you can't provide service at times convenient to the client, but not on call 24/7!

When I started as a true banker our doors were open to the public from 10 to 3 week days, on one ever lost a deal because they couldn't get to us.

I do have a problem with: "Here's a fact. There are NO real estate emergencies." I though like that when I was a one man shop! But, when dependent on other people there are emergencies!

Bill

I don't show homes for same day calls and don't expect other agents to either.

First, I preview. I study comps. I research the property/area/etc. There's a lot more to showing a house than merely opening the front door.

I'm not a walking keypad.

Which is probably one of the reasons I have a fantasticly high close rate. When I show a buyer a home, they do more than just look. They learn about the house, the neighborhood and the market for the price of that house.

Is the buyer qualified?? That's surely something I will want to know before showing a home. We owe that to the sellers.

I'm not an agent that has to send buyers to a lender before showing them homes, but I do want to satisfy myself that they are qualified before I commit the time.

We are with you and do not do same day showings -- unless it is with an already established client who we are working with and a new listing happens to pop up and we have the time -- declining when people ask makes some angry -- but so be it, they were not realy clients anyway.

The people who don't care about your time....well, they waste it because they don't care about it. Choosing clients that respect your time, will work with your schedule, and listen to your advice - is good business.

Time is a crucial variable. We never get it back. Most of my forms and paperwork are done very early or when time allows. The day is for prospecting, writing offers, and taking listings, and of course follow up for lead conversion. Took along time to get a system that worked fluidly but when i stepped back and kept it somewhat simple it paid off. Qualifying and time management are always one needs to take a step back often and examine. Great read.

Depending on the circumstances I will schedule a showing on the same day if I am in the area and have time between the appointments. Otherwise they have to wait till next day.

BB - While on perpetual HOLD with BOA and playing on FB....I saw this post via your Facebook Note. I clicked over to AR to make my comment. This post is a kick in the pants for me. It's a well needed TOPIC for me and my business. Your post needs to become my standard operating procedure. Your hint about burn-out is true for me....I just get so frazzled. There is not enough time to do what is on my "list" each day. I will make an effort to NOT LET others dictate my schedule anymore. Thanks for this post....it's a real eye opener for me.

Recently had this really come up for me. I had one of those time-wasters, and I had the time and decided to humor her. Turned out that everytime I wasn't available, she was calling another agent. Found out because we finally got tired of the same day things. We had a talk with her about needing at least a few hours and it' not being fair to sellers, etc. She called the next day wanting to see one in 30 minutes. We said no. As we finished up what we were doing and headed out to go somewhere, I decided to pop by the house to see if she did indeed get someone. yup. Another agent FROM MY OFFICE was there with her. Chatted briefly and turns out we'd both been showing this chick homes for a few weeks. Awesome. Customer pulled in as I was leaving, I just waved and smiled and let her go. Learned my lesson and totally taking your post to heart!

BB, Since I make the rules, I can also break them. I show on the same day if my schedule permits. I like being flexable and even spur of the moment...but on my time. You have impressed on all of us to have a life and be in control. One of your earlier blogs stated that you make no out of the office/house appointments before 11AM...such a smart statement.

I just had a conversation very close to this with your son on Facebook last night. I had a potential customer drop in while I was on floor time last Thursday and wanted to see homes right then, in the 40K range. I explained prequal and that I had appts that afternoon and my first time available was Monday. Her pushy daughter was with her and said Tuesday was better. Fine, I get a list of homes together and email to her. Hear nothing. Call her yesterday to confirm today and suddenly she has to go back home early (out of stater). I figure she found someone else to be her tour guide as she balked at prequal and never looked at the list I sent. So be it. NEXT!!!

Great advice! Some clients get so angry that you are not available 24/7. Seems a little strange and/or disrespectful.

Time=Money

Setting boundaries is hard to do at first;after a while you learn to do it or burn out.

We want to be treated like professionals then we they say jump we say "how high".

Bryant.....well said and you were reading my mind. We are professionals and our time is money. I respect my time, family and business and expect to work with clients who do the same.

Bryant, You are so right. I am a professional and I expect to be treated as such. Therefore, I act appropriately. I've had agents in my firm who ran around like chickens every time they had a call, hurrying to meet a caller whom they knew nothing about. Those were the same agents who complained that people didn't treat them like professionals. Duh...

Just yesterday I had a negative encounter with a buyer. I had a dental appointment during my appointment my client calls wanting to see a home. When I was done I told the client that I would have to schedule a showing for today.

She hung up on me.

Well said!! I'm sitting here frazzled and wondering when I will "get everything done". Obviously, it will NEVER all be done. ;)

Deal to the no more "same day showings".

I so appreciate Lenn's comment. Showing a home is MORE than just showing up with a keybox key and opening a door. When done well, a showing is an educational opportunity & a unique experience to understand the particular dynamics of a community & it's real estate market as well as touring a particular home. Boy, I'm feeling a blog come upon me. :)

Lenn-you're awesome, great post Bryant. The clients and customers you want to work with will generally respect your time as well as we respect theirs. Takes time to learn how to catigorize/prioritize? each opportunity. But there's always tomorrow.

Amen, sister!

Ah Bryant, if we act like we are professionals we will most often be treated as such! Love the buyer who wants me to say "How High?" when they say "Jump" but can't be bothered to show up for appointments they make or spend 30 minutes hearing how the real estate process works. I give my clients my all, I just don't give it to ALL who ask.

We are professionals and we do need to make appointments. Sometimes there are those buyers that do want to go out a look every Plug in the time and daybut you never know. I had one client who my focus group [non-realtor business group] had suggested I move on from since she was wasting my time. They suggested she was perhaps looking for hubby not house. Well months of looking periodically we found a place which is now firm and she will be moving into the end of this month. The thing is she is my best referrer and advocate. Patience was what was needed, sometimes we should not throw the baby out with the bathwater. By the way she gets along famously with my wife who went for a nice long walk with her last Saturday.

RESPECT....we are professionals. I only jump if its my A-LIST clients. Funny they never ever...push me. Kinda like that.

Those 24/7 CALLS - Give the call to a NEWBIE agent...and get a referral.... :)

Ahh Bryant, you do help us keep things in perspective. Well said. I found the hardest thing for meas a REALTOR® was working on Sundays. I'll work late, I'll put in extra hours when needed... but I always felt intruded on when someone wanted me to work on Sundays. So I did just as you said... I started telling my clients I don't work on Sundays. And a funny thing did happen. They respected that. Sweet.

Absolutely. I've got a prospect right now that doesn't respond for several days and when she does wants an appointment for that evening (and it's already afternoon). Sorry - no can do. It's like waving a red flag - you know it will only be downhill from there. Seems like lots of us have learned this lesson judging from all the great comments.

Liz

With age comes knowledge ;) I remember running everywhere for everyone a few years back. I live by appointment now, but am far less rushed because of it!

Bryant - That is key advice to a successful business. I apply this to listings, too. I had a seller ask for appointment at 5:00, but I told him I had other obligations, could he meet me on his lunch break during business hours? It works.

You are so right and I too learned years ago jumping thru all those unnecessary hoops will only make you cranky!
My appointments are booked and that allows me to give them my full attention. I dont chase calls and its quite easy to screen a prospect and determine their timeline, their intent and their availability...

I have a saying, I find out the prospects DNA ( Desire, Needs, Ability/Authority ) *authority meaning they are the qualified buyer-ie, not looking for a out of town relative--which is one I often hear!

AMEN AND AMEN! I just wrote a blog: Boundaries with buyers...check it out!

Wish I had read this a year ago as I dropped making dinner and ran my kids to a sitter to accommodate my clients- "serious" homebuyers who expected me to show them a property as soon as it went on the market. As homes were going under contract asap and there was little to choose from, I reluctantly did it over and over again. Nothing was ever good enough, and after 6 months of putting them over my own family and schedule, I told them the truth and they rented a FSBO. I will never make this mistake again! Thanks for the post!

I actually feel I have decent control over my time but I have been known to make same day appts.

I used to be a "pop tart" Jumping straight up to show a property when ever anyone called. This was detrimental to my health well being and business. Not to mention the gas I was wasting on people who ultimately wasted my time.

Bryant - I couldn't agree more. Incidentally, I like the tagline at the end of your post - nice idea.

Easier said than done though establishing boundaries is a great thing to do. It's sticking to those boudaries that's the issue.

Bryant, this is so true and it takes a long time for many agents to realize it and believe it, especially new agents. Jumping through hoops, missing my kids' swim meets, baseball games, etc. before I realized that I either need to set it straight or continue to be dumped on. I sometimes still find myself on the fine line in between jumping and dumping but I have learned that the buyer who must see it today will not be today or tomorrow or probably ever.....

Excellent post!

This is a brilliant post and much good advise and reminder to all of us. I love the "there are no emergencies in real estate." I adapted that early on and it's true. If you have an emergency theirs 911, the police or the fire department. Not me!

Thanks for a good post reminding us what many of us have found out the hard way - trying to be forever available is just a certain recipe for not only burning out fast but wondering why you have such inconsiderate clients! Set expectations early on - and it is totally OK to have a life!!

Here's another fact. You will NEVER be caught up. There will always be another call to make. Another website to update.

Oy crap. My husband just got off a plane (has been gone for four days) and guess what I am doing. Yea he is unpacking. This statement is so true. There are no real estate emergencies ESPECIALLY NOW with negotiators, asset managers and corporate bankers getting weekends and holidays off. Life always slows for a minute then!

Wonderful post... thanks! I spoke those words yesterday ~ several times.... there are no real estate emergencies. I said we are not in OR performing heart surgery. Relax, slow down & take a moment to think then respond to your client. After many years of allowing people to wlak all over my life ~ I set boundaries and it is amazing how they catch on so quickly.

Great post, Bryant. Thanks for reminding us to slow down. I stopped canceling appointments for clients who eventually canceled on me. Learned the hard way so I don't do it any more. I have to admit that I will show the same day if I know my client. Otherwise, they can make an appointment after I've qualified them. Time equals money and it's too precious to waste.

Broker Bryant is BRILLIANT again!

Great point. One of the first post licensing classes I took 7-8 years ago was a CRS class, Building a Referral Business. The fabulous instrustor Gee said, if they are referred to you, they want to work with you and they will wait for you.

This is really true. If they already have respect and trust you (because their friend or co-worker had a good experience) they will work with you when you are available to work. Obviously this is within reason. But, many times we are able to find a mutually agreeable time to work together, than me having to skip every family event.

If they don't respect your time or you, why do you want to work for them?

Great food for thought.

All the best, Michelle

I have been largely in survival mode since I started in the real estate industry 2.5 years ago (good timing, eh?) so I tend to take any customer that comes my way. Since December, I have been trying to re-claim my life and my schedule so I appreciate your experienced thoughts.

Maybe you should place more thoughts into a draft post . . . :)

I think there wlll be exceptions to this, but overall I agree with you 100% A lot has to do with who is going to have control, but also about giving yourself enough time to be prepared with all one's ducks in a row for the appointment.

HA funny how drafts/afterthoughts/quick jots become gold stars.

The points about being prepared are well taken. I need to rethink some of the things I do. My problem is I am new to the industry and I came from an industry that is very time sensitive. I have been hardwired to go anytime I get a call. Thanks for the post and all the comments.

Draft or post, it's a good topic! One of the easiest things to say and hardest to do - especially in this market. However, it goes back to having a business plan and sticking to it. I think it would be easier for all of us to deal with the "pop-tart" syndrome if we established rules and boundaries for our personal business before one of these calls comes in. It makes it a lot easier to deal with and real buyers almost always appreciate and understand.

Like Lenn, I think there are issues that need to be discussed before we, as professionals, rush out and chase someone around. If they're not willing to participate in their own success, let 'em go.

BB - On the whole I agree with you. We need to set boundaries....when we work, when we don't. Setting boundaries garners respect.

Being a house ho doesn't.

That being said, sometimes there are exceptions to the rule (IMHO anyway). For example, a few months back I received a lead. I sent them info on the property they requested. Never heard back. Just figured that was that.

Then I added them to my Constant Contact newsletter list, and discovered they open my newsletters regularly.

Which is why, when I got an email last Saturday saying "hello I am in town and I will be at your office in 3 hours and I would like for you to show me this property <my listing>), I called him and said I'd be happy to meet him but I had another afternoon appointment (which I did)...SO glad I took his last-minute request!

Turns out he and his wife live out of the country....they started looking in the $200K range and now they're up to $400K. Pretty exciting stuff! And it wouldn't have happened if I didn't follow my instincts and meet him at the office.

So yeah....I'm all about boundaries....but sometimes.....rarely....I make exceptions.

Hi BB -- Well said. I totally agree. Real estate is NOT life or death. Important and serious yes. But so is planning.

There is an old saying that applies to most fields:

A lack of planning on your part does NOT constitute a crisis on my part!

BB - Congratulations on a featured thought :)

Just today I had another Realtor ask me why I didn't simply run out the door to show a home. Here were my reasons.

I was on floor duty for 2 more hours
He didn't want to give me his contact information
He didn't want to get approved
He didn't want to complete a Buyers Agency Agreement
He expected me to go right them, because others had done this before.

Great post. I myself always make sure to pre-qual all potential buyers prior to showing property. Saves me alot of time and potential problems.

Yes. I control my time and my clients respect me for that. I wish you would have told me 30 years ago that I was never going to get caught up! I'm like that hamster on the wheel!

BB - LOL. Well I thought it was a pretty good draft idea anyhow! It's something I could definitely be better at.

Jeff

FEB

2010

From the desk of David Dee,

BB, there is much wisdom in this advice. We can't allow our time to be elastic like a rubber band.

Bryant, thanks for sharing. I get rid-of-em fast if I don't like how they answer my questions or the way they talk to me. Are we not the professionals? If people think they know more or can time the market, they should be real estate agents and the richest people in the world. The fact is nobody knows the real estate market than we do. We are in the trenches every freakin-day.

Bryant - I love Lenn's answer. I, too, like to offer much more than a key to unlock the door. Yesterday I showed houses in three difference neighborhoods. The buyer received not only information about the property and neighborhood but a mini market analysis on each property.

You will only be treated like a professional if you act like a professional.... Great post as always!!!

I understand about boundaries but flexibility must be built in. With so much on the net (including competition) you walk a fine line of professionalism and becoming a dinosaur

Broker Bryant, this is my favorite post of yours so far. I just reblogged it. Amen.

BB, we have to establish how we want to be treated. Same day showings in retrospect have invariably been a waste of my time. Thank God, now I know better.

You are so on point. I am all for providing great customer service and make a point of being a broker who is "available" within reason. But I don't buy in to the beck and call syndrome. I cannot count the times that I've expressed the same sentiment that "in actuality, most things really CAN wait" and that "one of the most difficult thing that we have to do, is manage our time wisely.

USE TIME WISELY.

Bryant:

Buying a home is not an overnight process and involves planning. This includes the times and appointments for looking at homes. One my part, it also involves some investigation into the property prior to an actual visit from my client.

I work with buyers who are qualified and ready to buy. Serious buyers give more thought to the process than to demand an emergency showing.

Agreed...though Margaret makes a good point...we make the rules and we are allowed to break them as well...a short sale seller or potential seller that is sooo distressed knows our number anytime and knows that if nothing else, they get willing ears. Other folks who are interested in "being the boss and calling the shots"....as opposed to playing on the same team....oh not.

That is my pet peeve.. .I hate interruptions and my time is guarded by me so much that is bordering in the insane. . example..I have a goatee because I save 45 seconds everyday I shave. .

Bryant, great post. This is something that I really need to work on in my business.

Bryant, Wonderful post! I couldn't agree more.... Building a business around your life is very important - not the other way around....

Sometimes we bend over too much - at least I do . Maybe I should learn from these points and stay up a bit more for my life!

You are so correct, set boundries..Had one person call at 9pm saying he was sitting infront of a house they wanted to see..I asked him how he would respond to his boss calling him at that same hour to come into the office..he said he would hang up on his boss..and that is what i did...

Your absolutely right, but it is hard to do or scary to do. I would love to have enough business to turn down business, but right now, that's not the case. It just tells me I have to keep that prospecting part of my day more consistent and do it every day, no matter what.

Thanks, I will work on that.

I agree with you. Stating up front your expectation on your time is key to being successful. Who wants to work with a stress out agent. Other practitioners in other field don't offer 24hr service. Remember, you can never get time back.

LOL for years I have said there is no such thing as a real estate emergency and I tell my clients the same. To take it one step further I know some hyper busy agents who are not making any money becasue they spend much of their time on those extra services they call "customer service" by extra service I mean painting basements and cleaning pools. Then when they wake up one day flat broke they wonder why they don't have any money or any firends.

Mutual respect is key. If clients cannot respect your time, you can forget about them respecting your money.

Case in point: the most TIME consuming client I ever worked with asked me to pay $5000 of my commission toward HER closing costs. Uh, right! Didn't happen, she closed anyway. I cashed the check and NEVER LOOKED BACK!

This is a really important thought, draft, blog post, whatever. I know I still need to be reminded of this from time to time. I really enjoyed Lenn's comment about not being a walking keypad. Thanks as usual for your insight and advice.

That sounds so familiar. I am guilty of that. Great article.

Thanks broker Bryant! I often get myself worked up over little things like this. It is a great reminder that if I don't respectmy time, who will? Setting boundaries and making appointments is not only professional it is a smart way to run your business.

This really brings back (BAD) memories of my first years in real estate where I would bend over backwards and never get rewarded for it! I would not accommodate a request for a 'drop everything' showing today...everything I do is by appointment and by criteria. Got a preapproval? Who else are you working with? Have you ever worked with an agent? I prefer to get an appointment IN MY OFFICE first to go over procedures too. If they balk at that, then they're not serious. Loved all the comments here!

Dear BB... first, love the "there are no real estate emergencies" point of view. What? You mean the fact you cannot make up your mind to take/leave the refrigerator at midnight is NOT an emergency in my eyes? Ha!

Second, can I come down and stay with you? Please. 10 inches of snow Saturday, 24 inches today. Puhleeze.

I agree with you 100% ..I you don't respect yourself who will???

HELPFULHANNAH

Lots of great advice. This is all so true and if all agents could stick to repsecting their time, buyers would eventually get the point. Everyone, especially in today's economic crisis, is worried about where their next meal will come from. But I can't even say that this is why we have agents so eager to jump. I've been in the business 13 yrs and only now am I comfortable enough to not worry about those types of clients. They will always be there and I've found, from past experience, that they make you crazy, aren't the serious buyers, and aren't loyal. Maybe they fit well with the agents that are willing to jump?

Holy mackerel!!! Bombarded with comments. I wonder if this qualifies as a real estate emergency?

Maybe not :)

I want to add that there is absolutely nothing wrong with working 24/7 if that's what you want to do. I just want to be sure you know that you don't have to. Most buyers and sellers will respect your boundaries IF they know what they are. It's our job to make sure they know what they are.

I am flexible - I call people while in the car, late at night, or even when out of town. However I do not sacrifice family time ever. I squeeze things in, but never at a sacrifice.

BB- Let us not forget that you have the uncanny charm necessary to say " I surely can't" with a smile and make it work. How you handle the last minute request makes all the difference. Most agents willadmit potential I want it now buyers are acting on impulse which is something NO ONE should ever do, when it comes to something as important as the purchase of a property. So say it with a smile folks!

Agreed you need to set a schedule to work. That is the only way to develop a work and home life balance. Real estate is not a 9-5 job. When creating your schedule, you need to take into consideration when your clients are available. There may be no real estate emergencies for you; however, your clients may feel differently.

Amen!

If they don't value your time, they don't value your opinion either, and if they don't value your opinion, it's tough to help them.

FEB

2010

Bryant- A lot of comments this post garnered. This is one of the biggest obstacles i have with agents i coach. When they start getting coached they are so defensive about 24/7. They are SO afraid of losing that one deal. i had one agent that I knew was religious but she worked on Sundays. I told her that I never work on a Sunday ( except commenting on AR:) ) and that she needed to take that one day off to feed herself spiritually and to spend time with her husband. I promised her that she would attract clients into her life that would appreciate that. In fact, recharging your batteries makes you much more productive. If you don't ever stop to smell the roses, you will burn out. Her husband thanked me for getting her to do what he had been trying to get her to do for years. It really helped their marriage also. Sometimes we have to think about what is really important in life.

Today I had a listing up north Florida for an agent that I work with, sharing the short sale listings. She did not call me back for a day and that is when I knew something was wrong. She just called me not to long ago. Her husband is in the hospital. He just had a heart attack. She did the right thing and declined the listing. She decided to go and be with him. That was her right move.

Excellent point Bryant. I've had my fair share of interruptions throughout the day. It makes a difference in your production when you actually stick to your plan.

Bryant,

Excellent article!!! Time is money and Realtors need to treat their business AS a business. If people want to work with me, an appointment needs to be made. Try calling your doctor or lawyer and say, "I need to see you, I'll be there in 20 minutes" and see how far that gets you.

I learned early in my real estate career to set boundries and not to be everyone's "Beck and Call" boy. Make it a great day!!

FEB

2010

Yes, BB, I do believe that, and I can do that....though at times it really is a leap of faith. But then again, I like leaping : ) -- Tanya in Montreal

Hi Broker Bryant,
This is SO hard for newer agents to deal with. Once when I was brand new, we had an ice storm. A lot of roads were blocked. EVerything was a treacherous mess. I desperately needed business, but figured I was getting a day off. Wouldn't you know that a couple called me and wanted to see homes because the trains weren't running - so they had a day off! Unbelievable.....For those who don't know my area - and most don't - Metro-North rarely shuts down. It only shuts down when there is truly an weather emergency. I can count on one hand the number of times Metro-North has shut down over th past 10 years.

FEB

2010

Excellent! Making the most of your time is all about systems and delegation. The books the E-Myth and the Cashflow Quadrant really transformed how I looked at my business and my time. Regarding the potential customers who demand unreasonable things, it is best just to screen them out and either refer the lead to someone else or let them go.

Hi BB! You're SO right--like others, same day appointments work for me only IF they work for ME! I don't always have the time and if they just can't WAIT for me, then chances are they won't be good candidates to WORK for me either!

When I call the physician's office for an appointment, many times I have to wait for weeks to be seen--now if I'm sick, time is allotted for a certain number of same-day sick patients but, otherwise, I WAIT. Why should we be held to a stricter criteria than physicians?

FEB

2010

I agree with Lenn 100%. I'd rather be prepared and know that I am meeting with a qualified buyer.

In this multi-tasking, on/off binary world, you went right to the heart of the matter. We are the ones with the editing function that takes control and "informs", rather than allows us to drown in the sea of boundaryless data. Well done!

FEB

2010

Hi, Bryant. I live in Big South Fork, Tennessee, an area that is a destination for trail riders. Most of the properties that I list and sell are horse properties.

I just told my husband yesterday that if I have plans to ride and it will not affect the group if an unexpected real estate opportunity occurs, I might cancel but if I have agreed to trailer a friend and my cancelling would leave her in the lurch, I will NOT cancel. I told him not to carry the phone across the yard when I have a horse in crossties, getting ready to leave, because I am usually blindsided by someone who wants immediate attention. The time has come to establish some boundaries, and the caller will have to make arrangements for an appointment.

Your post was very timely and I'm glad you hit "send" instead of "save." Congratulations on the feature!

FEB

2010

Great post. Its really hard nowadays to make real estate decisions. We should not jump into conclusions that in the latter, we realize we are just invested instead of aiming for investments.

Ontario Mortgage Rates

This blog does not allow anonymous comments

Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

Poinciana, FL

More about me…

Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

Address: 628 Grand Canal Dr, Poinciana, Fl, 34759

Office Phone: (407) 870-9003

Cell Phone: (407) 873-2747

Email Me

Bryant Tutas

Create Your Badge

Delivered by FeedBurner

Visit Short Sale Superstars

All original, all the time. Broker Bryant's ramblings on Real Estate in Poinciana, Fl

Florida Foreclosures and Short Sales

Buy A Florida Retirement Home
Visit TTRealty Network

Listings

Links

Archives

Find FL real estate agents and Poinciana real estate on ActiveRain.

Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.