It was not all that long ago that I purchased my home here in Maricopa, Arizona. I tried working with more than one agent while I was looking for my home and considering what I wanted to purchase. One of the biggest complaints that I had while I was looking for my home is that many agents are too lazy or unwilling to set up a client search so that I could see what was available. Of course this is the reason for my changing agents in the process. If the agents would have taken care of me and set up a client search like I had asked for then I probably would not have changed agents. I was not even looking at the cheaper houses that were out there. I was looking for something nice and I knew that my agent was going to make a decent amount of money on the home that I purchased. Despite this fact and the fact that I repeatedly asked a couple of agents to set up some sort of a client search the agents just would not do that for me. There was very little customer service while working with these agents. Luckily I had a lender that I knew that I could trust here in Maricopa, Arizona and so I went to him and asked him what that he would suggest given my current situation. He finally got me to a realtor that knew how to treat clients that were looking for homes and how to set up a client search so that I would have the ability to see what was out there. Guess who got the sale and the commission that went with it? Now that I am a realtor I am looking forward to someday conducting a transaction with the realtor that took care of me. This just shows that it pays to deliver great customer service.
Now that I am a realtor I try to remember what that I did not like about other realtors so that I make sure that I do not become like they are. I also try to model those good qualities that I see in other realtors. As you can probably guess, one of the first things that I do any time I get a new client is to set up a client search. I know some realtors are extremely busy and they think that they don't have time to do some of these things like setting up a client search. However, my stance is that if they are too busy to handle more clients then they should not take other clients. There are plenty of us out there that are willing and able to take care of the clients and strive to deliver excellent service.
As I am sure you can see I strongly believe that one of the first things that should be done any time that you get a new client is to set up a client search. How else other than a client search or website is a client going to know what is out there? There are alternative sources for finding properties but as anyone in the business knows these sources are not always the best sources and are many times not up to date. Do you really want your clients turning to these sources when it is so easy to set up a client search that has accurate information? I know I don't want my clients turning to these sources if I can prevent it.
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117 Comments on Why are some real estate agents too lazy to set up client searches?
I wouldn't call them lazy but rather ignorant!
It only takes a few minutes to set up a client search with automated updates from the MLS. Once set up, the system notifies the prospect of any new or changed listing and it looks like we are constantly looking for the prospect! The prospect contacts us if he/she sees something of interest because the client's view of the listing on the MLS doesn't give the listing agent's contact information.
I find that I can search for different criteria and in more depth than they can find on their own. I also have areas memorized that they don't understand. Setting up a search is the least that I can do. I copy myself on the searches and it gives me a reason to call if something interesting comes up.
Rocky,
I set up searches for clients and am happy to set up these searches. It is really not that hard to do and they don't have to look each day but can trust new things that match their criteria will show up for them. I set them up for my sellers too so they know what their competition looks like.
I don't understand why an agent wouldn't set it up. Pretty easy. Lots of positive things can happen if you do.
Hi, Rocky. I agree, some agents, and it always seems to be the ones who moan the most, are just too lazy to service their clients. In addition to offering to set up automatic searches for my clients, I also afford them two of my web sites that they can do their own search with my IDX feed.
Great Blog !! One of the first things I do is to set up a client search.
Thanks for all the great responses. I knew that this post was going to get a few responses but I would have never expected it to be featured and to get as many responses as it has. I think I definitely touched on a very hot topic. This is only my 6th or 7th blog that I have ever done and I am still in my trial period on Active Rain. What an accomplishment. I know agents that have been using this system for a very long time and have produced over 100 blogs without ever being featured. Thanks a bunch to Active Rain and to everyone that has commented on this blog. I truly appreciate it.
If a buyer's criteria make a search possible, I'm all for it. I love setting up a client search but it isn't always feasible. Depends on the situation.
You need IDX AND Searches. I can't imagine not having both. I have IDX on my website and while I direct people to that, I always set up client searches along with a web portal. They have my face in front of them every day when the listings are sent and they can save their favorites for me to see and to refine the search. I also make sure that I get an email when they look at their portal or when they are looking at my searches. When I see these alerts, I will often email or call them. They are surprised when I "coincidentally" got ahold of them when they were looking at my emails!
Rocky: We use this as a tool at open houses. We'll ask for their home criteria and set up a personalized search. The MLS sends new listings the next day so they have the info timely. We've had people call a year or two later when they're finally ready to buy. It's a fantastic tool and we'll always use it. Carrie
Wild Guess, but you wouldn't happen to be trying to rank for the term CLIENT SEARCH by any chance?! Seriously, I have to wonder what's going on with alot of agents. I get buyers searching on my site and when I contact them, I find they already have an agent. Why the heck are the searching on my site, and everywhere else? You'd think their agent would set them up to get the appropriate listings...
I set up client searches as long as the client wants me to show him or her what is available in the MLS. Many clients now have already searched the MLS. What they want from me are listings that have not hit the MLS yet or pocket listings. The problem with this is that there may be a period of time before I have a listing that suits their criteria that they don't know about. I am losing face time with them. Any suggestions?
I am not certain how the MLS works in your area. What I would suggest in my area is that unless you have access to a large pool of properties before they have been released is that you set up a portal for them that meets their criteria. What this does is to email those properties that meet their criteria to them as soon as they hit the MLS. This will give them the information on those homes before they see it anywhere else. It is the fastest method to get new properties in front of your clients.
Setting up a search is such a simple thing. I like how you remember what you didn't like prior to being an agent and it makes you a better agent. I never purchased a home before I became an agent, so had never worked with anyone before. -Kasey
Dear Rocky,
Just always remember the bad experiences that the agents gave you and then you can focus on the really good experiences you can and will pass on to your clients. Good Luck !
I know what you mean! The reason I am an agent today is I had 2 really yucky agents and 1 really good agent. I thought I can do that.
Why are some agents even agents period? 80% of them are lazy or ineffective in their business. The barrier to entry into our profession continues to be far too low, so that it's almost as easy to get your license as it is to work at McDonalds. This explains why the average agent only sells 8 homes per year, for less than 1 million in volume, and after broker splits makes less than a full time work at the previously mentioned fast food franchise.
Matt, you are so right. There are far too many lazy agents in this business. It is very hard to become a great agent and requires many hours. I know what it takes to be effective and it is simply something that most people are not dedicated enough to do. I have been working many 15 to 16 hour days during my first year as an agent. In fact this month is my one year anniversary since becoming licensed. I have now completed a sale on my own which is something that most agents (90+%) fail to do in their first year and on top of that I have 2 listings that are both under contract and 1 on the buyer side under contract. Even with all that I am still not satisfied and I keep striving for more. You have to be a hard and dedicated worker to make it in this business but it is possible if you are that type of person. I feel that it is important to never lose focus.