Is 10:00 pm Too Late To Call My Realtor?

I'm game until 9/930ish. After that I tend to get less interested in real estate.

There is a difference between calling and expecting someone to answer. I tell my clients to call me anytime and if my cell is on, I'm working....or I'll call back as soon as I can.

This is by far the most comments I have ever seen for a blog.  I think you broke the record.  Realtors love talking about everything that is wrong in the business and rant every chance they can.  You would have to be an idiot to answer a phone call that late, no offense.  I can't see anything that good coming out of it.

Although I can't imagine anyone rude enough to call I know several agents crazy enough to answer. Ho w sad and desperate

Totally agree that after 10pm, it needs to go to voicemail.  I can decide if it is important and whether to email back, text right then, or call back in the morning.

324 comments, that's impressive!

I am not surprised at the outcome with this client, as I get older I learn to stay away from these problem clients, many of these prospects find a hungry young agent who is happy to have the phone ringing at all hours.

I've only been contacted late at night (between 11 and 12 Midnight) twice. Once was when we were writing a contract (was totally ok with me) and just a few days ago (again when we were working on a contract but not as urgent). I didn't mind in either case. That's it. So I think people are generally respectful as far as I am concerned and I don't put limits on my time.

I am sometimes criticized by others for my over-availability, especially with taking late night calls and being "on" 24/7, but never from my clients. My clients appreciate and need that service. I work with many first-time home buyers and their hours are typically not 8-5 M-F like others who have moved higher up the property ladder. I happen to be single and I do not have children, so I happen to have the luxury of providing service to my clients day and night and on weekends, and even holidays. I have sold several homes on major holidays simply by being the only agent available. In my beginning years that really made a difference when I hadn't yet had the experience to build repeat and referral business. I feel like new agents should have to put in the time and work the long and hard hours, I sure did! As I have gained experience over the years, I now would faster and smarter, but I still remain ultra available. Yes, every now and then it gets abused, but most clients try to be respectful and if I don't jump and run they know there is a good reason, not just that I'm busy watching The Real Housewives.

Congratulations on having the most comments on a post in 2012. My clients know they can call whenever they need me. They do not take advantage.

If someone said to me that they were glad they found and agent hungry and ready to work I would have said find someone else. 

Congrats on having the most comments Jared. You rock!

Jareed, congratulations on being the number one most commented post on ActiveRain in 2012!! Love this post - commented before and will say again - we all need some down time. Do not answer calls after 7 or 8 at night unless it is urgent during the middle of negotiations, etc.

Sharon

Congratulations for writing the blog with the most comments for 2012. I personally draw the line at 10pm and 8am. I had a client call me at 5am once and I answered thinking it was an emergency.

I can't remember if I commented on the original, but now that you made #1 in comments, just wanted to say congrats.  The interesting thing is the follow-up you had with the agent. 

Congratulation on eliciting more comments here than any other 2012 post.  I was #314--late as usual.  I guess everyone has an opinion about calls after 10:00 PM.

Congratulations on writing the most-commented-on AR blog of 2012! I missed it the first time around but enjoyed reading it and many of the comments today. As for me, you can call me at whatever time you think is reasonable but if I don't agree with your idea of reasonable you can expect that your call will go directly to voice mail. 

Congratulations, guys on having the most comments on a post in 2012!

Wow, from one blog to another:) Trulia to AR:)

And about time, I agree with those that tell: it is a matter of respect.

This very morning, I received a text message at .........2am ish, asking if the condo they found on my website is still available. It is not even my condo, I have no idea what condo they ask about. But even If i knew, I think, they could wait till 7am at least!???

(p.s. I even forgot about that text, lol, you reminded me with your post)

Unless they are in a "Different Time Zone" or someone has died or was seriously injured, while we were under contract,  it is just plain rude to call to do business at 10:00 at night.  The acceptable cut off is 8:00 pm.  The customer/client that expects otherwise is probaly someone you don't really want to do business with.  They are usually rude, demading, unreasonalble, disrespectful, unappreciative and  "DIS-LOYAL."  They will chew you up and spit you out at whim.  And, if you do kill yourself trying to meet every single one of their unreasonable demands, they wont even bother to give you a "Thanks"

I have two different schools of thought. I have learned the hard way to not let real estate dictate my life. But I heard a line from a very very wise agent.  She tells her clients that if they are up in the middle of the night with some concern or worry, to please call.  If she (the agent) is up, she will answer. If she is not up, then it will go to voice mail and she will get voice mail first thing in the morning.  Many times the client just needs to get some concern voiced, then they can go to sleep. This agent has said that no one has every called her that late, but they have the peace in knowing they can.  :) Thanks for the post.