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“Yo this is Jo”. Could this be your voicemail?

By
Real Estate Agent with Realty Executives in The Villages 595380

I have heard some silly voicemails, but this?  Come on! Sometimes we struggle for respect in our business. There are agents that bring it on themselves.

We took extensive licensing courses where we learned that this is a serious profession. I pride myself on a high level of professionalism. After all we are advising people on investing in their most valuable investment.  Since we are all mobile now, our answering machine or voicemail message should be professional and please identify yourself. 

When I call an agent, Please don’t just say Hello. Answer all your calls with your name.

I have been a “professional “ realtor for 30 years and I answer the phone,” Hi, This is Linda”. The person calling knows they have the right person if they are calling off an advertisement or from the web.  My voicemail says the same thing “This is Linda, Please leave your name, number and anything else I might need to have before I call you back. I will call you back as soon as possible.”

Another issue is the voicemail that doesn’t stop. Less is more.  No one wants to listen for 5 minutes to blah, blah, blah until you can leave a message. “Just saying”.

It comes down to thinking about what you as a consumer want and expect. If you want respect act accordingly.

Scott Petersen
Client First, Realtors - Canton, MI - Canton, MI

You are exactly right Linda. Would you want someone representing you that answers their phone "YO". Oh well... they won't be around long.

Mar 20, 2011 02:32 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Could points on the short professional voicemail.  Mine could be a little shorter I think.

Mar 20, 2011 02:33 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Agents, Brokers, folks wearing the "R" are a competitive bunch. Friendly in public, but pretty doggged behind the scenes to grab way more local real estate market share than the rest of those in it wished you did. Everyone has a different style and you can look at it two ways. If they do it wrong, it helps you. Or after 30 years, your approach can ease up, loosen a tad to show the rear person listing, marketing, selling real estate. I think everyone tries as hard as they can and pretty much roll with their style, approach.

Mar 20, 2011 02:34 AM
Cherie L. Gottshall
Ramus Realty Group - Frackville, PA
Realtor

I agree......there are times I have to contact another agent and think "Did I get the wrong number?"

I always answer calls with my name.

Mar 20, 2011 02:40 AM
Nor Yeretsian
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc. - Toronto, ON
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc., Brokerage Toronto

Howvever you answer your phone or present yourself in public, be that professional !

Good post Linda.

cheers

Nor

Mar 20, 2011 02:50 AM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

Good point - I have always answered my phone (or strived to!) with "Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening, this is Carol".   It is so important how we answer the phone this could be your first impression.

Mar 20, 2011 03:30 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Linda

You make an excellent point, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Mar 20, 2011 03:42 PM
Torgie Madison
Quicksilver Real Estate Solutions, LLC - Portland, OR
Websites and Contact Management

One of my biggest phone pet peeves are the voicemails where the person pretends like they're on the line and then says "gotcha! this is just my voicemail!" Ugh, what a waste of my time and sooo unprofessional.

Mar 21, 2011 06:51 AM