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If We Could See Body Language Over The Phone....Wouldn't Life Be Simple???

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

Have we become too busy or too focused on time management that we’ve eliminated one of the most important elements in creating a transaction and maintaining good representation?  I’m talking about “face to face” communication.

In this fast pace, overly competitive business that we have all chosen, conserving time is always a priority.  If we can do something faster and still maintain an efficient outcome, we usually choose that path.  We create our habits whether they are good or bad, and we sometimes have to suffer because of those habits.

Face to face communication for a listing agent is a high priority task with a seller who is about to sign a listing agreement.  Before that signature is dry, the listing agent is communicating by email; or by phone; or by text messaging.  Some of the communication works well by using any of those methods, but the most important tasks are achieved best in person.

When an offer is received, do you meet with your client to deliver it, or is that done over the phone?  If a price needs to be adjusted, do you take the time to meet to show new comps, or is this a task that can be handled over the phone or by email? 

There are important elements missing if there is no face to face communication.  You’ll not observe body language, facial expressions, tone of voice if text or email is used and you’re probably not going to be successful in accomplishing your goal. 

Our mentality of reaching for the top is a challenge that promotes cutting some corners.  Pick and choose wisely when making decisions about time management.  Cutting the wrong corner will only result in a loss of income.  Isn’t that counterproductive, considering the goal of good time management is to reap greater rewards? 

 

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Barbara Todaro, Great Grandmother to Caleb, Santino, Aiden and Gianni       

Todaro Team - Retired

508-918-9148

               

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Comments (28)

Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Chris Ann.... that's right....I thought about this topic after reading a post this morning about an agent "calling" to drop a price.... and then threatening to cut the seller loose.... the seller was probably thrilled!!!

Mar 12, 2012 03:03 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

A good reminder for us all.  Nothing replaces face to face communication, particularly for something as important as an offer or asking a seller to drop their price.

 

Mar 12, 2012 03:33 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Kathryn.....  and it's eliminated so often because it's easier to use the phone or text or email.... big mistake.

Mar 12, 2012 03:35 AM
Brenda Mullen
RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX
Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

I like face to face interaction way more than I do e-mails.  Meaning and tone is implied with e-mails and is often misinterpreted. 

Mar 12, 2012 07:34 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Brenda.... that's the only way.... body language is very important...

Mar 12, 2012 08:02 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Barbara: I'm guilty as charged on occasion although communication by phone is sometimes the preferred method my sellers want to take.

Mar 12, 2012 08:06 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Anita....I understand....sellers would rather have the details over the phone and feel they have more control over the situation.....if they're face to face, they lose that POWER..... WHAT I ALWAYS DID WAS CALL AND SAY I HAD AN OFFER BEING DELIVERED AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO COME TO THE OFFICE OR FOR ME TO GO TO THEIR HOME.... MEANWHILE, I ALREADY HAD THE OFFER BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT AND COULDN'T INSIST UPON KNOWING THE NUMBER IMMEDIATELY....

Mar 12, 2012 08:30 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Barbara ...What a great post!  Body language is so hard to control, but so important!  I have to agree with Anita on this one, but also face-to-face is so much better ...Hope you have a great night!

Mar 12, 2012 09:55 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Rob....body language is very important and face to face just can't be replaced with anything more powerful.

Mar 12, 2012 10:22 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Barbara, not only face to face...how about all the texts! Nobody talks live anymore! I have to send a text to say "Call Me". Often things cant be said in text, and like you say we do need that emotional connection, that is reflected in our tones and personalities when we communicate live!

Mar 12, 2012 12:08 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Barbara, face to face is the best way to resolve issues or explain problems. Body language, voice inflections are important in communicating with our clients.

Mar 12, 2012 12:19 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Barbara, for me face2face is slightly different with some of the clients - just using Google tools to see them on my smartphone (and they can see me, too - but just face...lol).

On a serious note, if you are not face2face, you just can't go to next step....listing!

Mar 12, 2012 03:26 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

In a perfect world...we would all love to meet face to face for every meeting....but...reality for us is buyers and sellers in different counties, states and even countries...with time zones and schedules that don't allow for all the personalization you would like to add to the relationship.

Mar 12, 2012 07:47 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Barbara, I agree. It is easier to build rapport and to communicate with others when we are face to face.

Mar 12, 2012 08:42 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Ellen...the element of emotion that's eliminated causes problems at times...

Ed...that's the only way....you're right...

Praful...this is a business that was based on face to face contact and we're losing that element...,.

Sally ..... other countries and time zones are not part of this discussion but local business is.... it's easier to pick up a phone rather than meet face to face and much business is lost that did not have to be....

Gita.... much easier...

Mar 12, 2012 09:23 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Good Morning Barbara, Face to face seems like a thing of tha past in most cases and i sure do miss it. Now while texting is replacing phone calls the one problme i have is you can not tell the tone someone is meaning to convey in a text. Joking sounds like sarcasim which can hurt negotiations. Have a great Tuesday

Mar 13, 2012 12:15 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Scott....you're soooo right about that.... there are many elements missing and that DOES hurt negotiating.... messages are misunderstood....

Mar 13, 2012 12:26 AM
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

Barbara, Looking at a client is ALWAYS the best way to do business! I think this blog has inspired me to write a blog. 

Mar 13, 2012 12:40 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Nothing beats face-to-face time! Emails, Docusign, telephone, text -- all have their place, but meeting in person trumps them all.

Mar 13, 2012 12:45 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Tom.... I'll be watching for it...

Lottie.... it does trump them all....

Mar 13, 2012 12:54 AM