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I Got My Listing Under Contract Because I Answered My Phone

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with RE/MAX Associates 574299

I Got My Listing Under Contract Because I Answered My Phone                            

I was about to go into a class, when low and behold...my cellAnswering the Telephone on Time phone rang and I decided to pick it up!  On the other end was another Realtor asking me about my listing.  First, she said, is your listing still available?  Yes, it is.  It had only been on the market eleven days at this point.  In fact, the New had just turned to Active that very day. 

Great!  I have clients here that were undecided between two homes, yours and another one.  I called the other listing agent's office with no answer.  I then called his cell phone and got a voice mail that says, "I will get back with you in the next 24 hours".  That is just silly.  Who wants to wait 24 hours and my clients don't have 24 hours, so I guess they have now made their decision! 

Now, in my humble opinion, one should have an agent that is willing to answer their telephone.  I understand that we all get busy and at times may have to let the trusted and true voicemail grab the phone.  However, the message on the other end should probably NOT be, I will get back with you in the next 24 hours.  That is just way too long these days.  Not only do clients do not want to wait that long, they don't have to.  There are just too many other choices out there for them.  Once they hear, next 24 hours, they are sure to move on.

Well, Brenda...This is another Realtor and she should understand.  No, Realtors don't necessarily have 24 hours to wait either.  As in the case of this Buyer's Agent, her clients were leaving town the next day and were ready to make a decision and get on to the pending side of things.
Not only that, clients tend to get a little ancy when they have written an offer.  They would generally like to hear something back pretty quickly.  It makes it hard on the Realtor when their clients are asking them, "have you heard anything yet?"  and the answer is no. 

So, in short, answer your phone or risk losing a client or a SALE! 

Get it Sold with Brenda Mullen From Home Team of America

Photo Credit by herval

 

Posted by

Brenda Mullen – San Antonio Texas Real Estate Professional

Brenda Mullen Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent
 
Selling a San Antonio Texas area home involves many steps and having an experienced  San Antonio  Texas Real Estate Agent by your side will make the transaction run a lot smoother. I would love to be your San Antonio Texas Area Real Estate Professional! I assist both buyers and sellers in the San Antonio Texas area with either the purchase and or sale of residential real estate.
 
As an Accredited Buyer’s Agent, I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying process. From start to finish, I listen to your needs and desires in what you would like and take the information you give me to find you home.
 
As your San Antonio Texas listing agent I am well versed on the local San Antonio Texas area Real Estate Market. You can expect personalized service that includes a detailed consultation on how to best position your home to be competitive in today’s market with an in depth comparative market analysis, and advice on staging. I use the latest and most up-to-date marketing methods to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. Being your San Antonio Texas area Realtor® not only involves just finding the home or selling the home, but being your guide, negotiator, advisor and advocate and making sure that your needs and goals are met. Being your San Antonio Texas area Realtor® is one of my truest passions, and “Helping You Find Home” is my number one priority.
 
 
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Brenda Mullen
Broker-Associate/Realtor®, ALHS®, MRP®, ABR®, ePro®

Team Leader The Mullen Group with RE/MAX Access - Helping You Find Home
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Comments(109)

Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Brenda, the dis-service to our clients by not being available is uncalled for with technology today.

Ty

Aug 23, 2010 08:29 AM
Dawnita Griffith
Meadow Lake Real Estate, LLC - Pinedale, WY
It does matter who you hire.

If you can't get the price on something else you are looking to purchase, tires for example, you would call or go to the next tire store immediately.  What is the difference when looking for answers on houses.  We have to be available.  I don't believe that means sitting at my desk all of the time but I am with Ty (above) with to days technology it is easier than ever. 

Aug 23, 2010 09:20 AM
Kathy Opatka
RE/MAX CROSSROADS - Ocean City, MD
Serving Ocean City, MD, & The Delaware Beaches

I fully agree.... 24 hrs!?  That is a bit silly!  If you can't answer right away, say that you will return the call ASAP!  And then return it at the first opportunity!  Sometimes I get the feeling that we overestimate our own importance!

Aug 23, 2010 09:30 AM
Robert Amato
Bob Amato of Empire Home Mortgage Inc - East Meadow, NY

Brenda,

 You were going into your law school class correct? I remember reading your blog when it happened. I answer my phones 7 days a week until 11 PM! I have received many deals on a Sunday night at 6 or 7 PM where the client wanted to make an offer on a property but their mortgage guy does not pick up on the weekend. I truly provide "Mom and Pop" service in a world where bankers keep "Bankers hours".

Aug 23, 2010 09:53 AM
Amy Jones Group
South East Valley - www.AmyJonesGroup.com - Chandler, AZ
4 Time BEST OF OUR VALLEY Winner

You are singing to the choir here!  There are some agents here in the Phoenix area who don't work weekends.  They claim it doesn't hurt their listings.  I think otherwise.  Great post!

Aug 23, 2010 03:12 PM
Pat Haddad, ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI
Keller Williams Indianapolis Metro NE - Carmel, IN
Carmel, Fishers, Westfield IN Real Estate Expert

There have been so many times when I have been sooooo glad I answered my phone.  It is never a bad thing to be quick to pick up, but can be disasterous not to!!

Aug 23, 2010 05:02 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

The worst phone message I've heard is "I'll get back to you at my earliest convenience."

I don't even remember what I was calling about, but I do remember that the person hadn't returned the call after a couple of days. I called back and got the same message - and it made me so cranky that I called her boss and complained. I never did talk to that person - the boss took care of whatever it was I needed.

Aug 23, 2010 07:08 PM
Tony Barker
Premiere Home Realty - Tony Barker 832-867-0835 - Houston, TX

Brenda,

For 7 years, I state on my phone my return call times.  If I miss a call because of a meeting or I am off I get great feedback.   I also return missed calls when no messages were left.

Great post!

I hope this helps!

Tony Barker, Broker, Trainer, Mentor

Premiere Home Realty Inc, Cypress Texas and surrounding Houston METRO area in Texas.

premiere-homes.com

832-867-0835

Aug 24, 2010 02:59 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

I wanted to stop on by to Thank everyone for commenting to this post.  I know I didn't respond to everyone individually, but I read each and every comment!  There were some great imput and great ideas presented here! 

Bottom line is that we need to be available for our clients or business will fizzle :)!  Thank you all so much for stopping by and reading and commenting!

Aug 24, 2010 03:04 AM
Michelle Plumb
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties - Ocean Shores, WA

I answer my phone unless I am busy with another client. I don't want to direct my attention away from one client for another. After I am done I will return their call. Anyone who says it will be 24 hours to return a call sounds to me like they are just way to busy to provide me or my clients with great service.

Aug 24, 2010 06:07 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Congrats on the sale, buy your phone a congratulatory drink!

Aug 24, 2010 08:14 AM
Nicole Donaghy
Re/Max Purpose Driven - Lexington, SC
Helping Families Home in Lexington and Columbia

That's great news for you!  Congrats on the new "pending" status!

Aug 24, 2010 09:58 AM
Valerie Duncan Stewart
(Metro First Realty) - Oklahoma City, OK
Real Estate Agent-Broker, OKC, OK

Good for you on getting your listing sold for just answering your phone! I can't imagine expecting a buyer, seller or anyone else to wait around for me to call them back in 24 hours. Geesh!

Aug 24, 2010 10:37 AM
Anonymous
darlene

I agree that realtors should get back to others before 24 hours but i will never agree that realtors should answer their phones when showing homes, writing offers or any other activity that involves concentration and respect for those we are with. It just plain and simple is not respectful or polite. Those clients who are with me know they have my undivided attention, always, and that means also that sometimes they will have to wait for me to get back to them as I am with others.

Aug 24, 2010 01:11 PM
#106
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Thanks for the continued comments :)! 

 I did want to mention that this post in no way meant to say that you Must answer your phone 24 hours a day or when you are with clients or showing homes.  Understandably one much let the voice mail answer your phone for you at times. 

However, in my opinion, your voice mail should allude to the fact that you will get back with whomever is calling as soon as you possibly can.  I don't believe it impresses anyone to say that you will get back with them sometime in the next 24 hours :o)!

Again, Thank you all.  There are some really great comments up there!

Aug 25, 2010 01:17 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

As I've always said, "Give me 5 minutes on the phone with a prospective home buyer and, They're MINE."

Aug 26, 2010 01:40 AM
Alan Bruzee
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD

Yes, answering your phone or calling back - actually works in closing businesss!

Aug 26, 2010 01:45 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Hi Lenn-I would hate to miss a phone call and then it go to you next :)!  Most definitely I would lose the client :)!  That is why I answer my phone!

Hi Alan-Yep, Yep, it truly helps to keep the business going! 

Thank you both for commenting!

Aug 29, 2010 02:45 AM
Kristin Moran
Owner - RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio,TX - Real Estate - 210-313-7397

Congrats on the feature! I have been on the buyer's side of this scenario, out looking at homes, buyer in town for one day & the seller cancels our showing "come back tomorrow" well, no, sorry, my buyer is only in town TODAY & is making a decision TODAY, if we can 't get into your home to see it TODAY, we won't be writing an offer on it.  Hey, you snooze, you lose.

Aug 31, 2010 06:37 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

Hi Kristin-Too true. The buyer's agent pretty much told me the same thing which is why the buyers chose my listing!  My sellers are very happy I answered the phone :)!

Aug 31, 2010 10:16 AM