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Floor Duty: Opportunity Time or a Waste of Time?

By
Real Estate Agent with RLAH@properties AB95346

When I've worked in offices that had floor duty, I've always volunteered.  It's sort of like an office good citizen thing.  And I've had a lot of really good luck with it.  Or was it luck?

As a new agent, I previewed every upper brackets home in my market area, and one day a guy walked in on my shift.  And he bought a really, really big expensive house - from me!  Then it happened again.  And again.

Next week, Evers is moving to an office on the first floor of our current building, and my guess is that we'll start having floor duty incorporated into the office routine.  And we've started to think about ways to make it work - what made it work when I did it at past brokerages? 

Here are some of the things I came up with, and it all boils down to being prepared:

  • Dress professionally.  In this town, anyone we meet will make a snap first impression based on appearance.
  • Have information packets for both buyers and sellers with you.  I'll also have a few copies of my book (it's a fabulous business card.
  • Be very familiar with the office inventory.  Even if you don't do a lot of previewing, do preview your own office listings.
  • Have your laptop with you, and sign into your local multiple listing service as soon as you sit down.
  • If you get a lot of rental calls and don't do rentals, have listing information and contacts for agents who do handle them in a format that you can hand to someone who walks in or email to anyone who calls.

It is certainly possible to sit through a two hour floor shift with no action.  And just in case, you can always do something productive with the time - you can even blog! 

So which is it?  If you just show up and are clueless about your inventory, it could be a waste of time.  But if you do it right, I really think it's big time Opportunity Time! 

 

Paula Swayne
Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA
Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Pat!
I just wanted, first, to stop by and say hi!  How are you?  I see some things never change...like the 2 posts before mine.   I am a believer in floor time...just for the reasons you say.  It cannot be denied that it is a crap shoot.  However, you can affect the odds by doing all of the things you said.  Even if you don't get a client, it is great time to update a website, write a post, get caught up with your neighborhood, etc.  Thanks for the reminder!
Paula Swayne

Oct 12, 2011 04:36 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant
This is so good to hear! I thought that the Internet killed the walk ins. We recently opened an office in a small neighborhood and have had 2 listings as a result of walk ins -- maybe we need to focus on this a bit more!
Oct 12, 2011 04:43 PM
Kerry Lucasse
eXp Realty - Urban Nest Real Estate Group - Atlanta, GA
Your Urban Nest Atlanta Real Estate Consultant
..... Thanks so much for sharing your successes!
Oct 12, 2011 04:44 PM
Lana Robbins Realtor ® Licensed Real Estate Broker
Aloha Kai Real Estate - Clearwater, FL
Licensed in Florida, Washington, and Hawai'i

Hi Pat. I like floor time. I am prepared for walkins plus I do my Expired Letter Campaign while sitting.

Oct 12, 2011 04:52 PM
Sonsie Conroy
I serve buyers and sellers everywhere in San Luis Obispo County - San Luis Obispo, CA
Energetic, Enthusiastic, Knowledgeable Realtor

In our office, floor time is assigned, even on the weekends. We get few walk-ins, so it consists mainly of being available to take phone calls. I have had some great leads from these calls, even though so far none have actually results in a sale or a listing.I'm working with a couple right now that I have good feelings about.

I am relatively new to real estate, but pther agents have told me that back in the day (pre-2005), the phones rang off the hook and walk-ins were common, and some people made most of their money dealing with floor time leads. Not so now, but there are some good ones out there and I am always happy to participate.

Oct 12, 2011 05:10 PM
Dolores "Dee" Mauriello
Keller Willaims - Wayne, NJ
Realtor, Homes For Sale Wayne NJ

If the phone doesn't ring just work on your activerain blog and when your in the middle of the post you will get a walkin. Well that is what happened to me today!

Oct 12, 2011 05:25 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
Take you iPad with you and you are an office on the go!
Oct 12, 2011 06:57 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have not gone for floor time in a year. Have been thinking of taking floor time. Thanks for the post.

Oct 13, 2011 12:53 AM
Shannon Lefevre
John R. Wood Properties - Naples, FL
Shannon Lefevre, PA Your Naples Smart Girl

Hey Girl! Long time no chat! I got a lot of great customers when I did floor but alas, I determined later that I needed to spend my time going after my goals and that floor ultimately took me away from the markets where I wanted to specialize...but it is a super great way to get the ball rolling if you don't have any way to get leads. :)

Oct 13, 2011 02:29 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

We are not offered floor time in my brokerage since there isn't any! I don't miss it at all!

Oct 13, 2011 03:52 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

I also have not done floor time in a long while. When people started hiding their true names and phone numbers was when I knew it was not worth it for me.

Oct 13, 2011 04:26 AM
Deserie Hirsch
Long & Foster - McLean, VA
Deserie Hirsch

As a newer agent, I love taking floor duty and there's always work to be done when the phones aren't ringing.  I'll also be glad to work with renters; they may be ready to buy when their lease expires!  Just showing up to the office -- dressed for success and ready to go with a positive attitude -- makes all the difference. 

Oct 13, 2011 07:42 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

Patricia, Your thorough preparation makes that 'luck' possible.  Good work, girl.

 

Oct 13, 2011 05:20 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Pat

I think any time in this Industry is AN OPPORTUNITY.  I give all my associates the leads they need to excell

Oct 14, 2011 01:11 PM
Michael Dagner
Brokers Guild Classic - Denver, CO
Your Denver Homes Realty Expert

Pat, just like many other successful prospecting methods in this business, floor time can bring in consistent business.  Personally, I've never had much luck in cultivating that talent, but I've known others who do very good amounts of business with floor time, and they pick up every slot they can get.  Its all in your approach.

Oct 14, 2011 04:36 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Pat, while you can often get "stuff" done when on floor duty, it shouldn't be treated as a "coffee break" during the week.  You absolutely have to know your market and particularly your office listings.  I also take advantage of floor duty when available and it's especially rewarding to me when I'm doing floor duty for an agent that doesn't want to and I get a call or walk-in that goes to contract.  Great tips.

Oct 15, 2011 07:52 AM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Pat ~ I'm a strong advocate for floor duty.  I always conn do my own work and sty available for any call.  I have closed a few transactions from floo this year.

Oct 15, 2011 04:47 PM
Coach KC™
Prosperitor LLC dba Secured Futures - Baldwin, NY
Marketing • Productivity • Revenue • Development

Good information that needs to be looked at again, we tend to not look for the positive in situations because that requires effort. It's unfortunate, but negativity comes much easier. --Coach

Oct 08, 2013 10:10 AM
Guin White
Barker Realty - Santa Fe, NM
Tenacious Problem-Solver, Referral Broker

Today's my first floor duty shift! Thanks for the helpful info. I needed it!!!

Jan 24, 2015 03:22 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Guin, good for you!  I hope you got some great calls.  You just never know what's going to happen.

Jan 24, 2015 07:45 AM