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10 calls - 10 messages

By
Real Estate Agent with Benchmark Realty

 

As a Realtor here in middle Tn I have run into what seems to be a growing problem among agents. NOT ANSWERING PHONE CALLS OR RETURNING MESSAGES!

Before I get started, let me back up. Signing up for a real estate career means sort of making your life more available than most. It's just the way it is. Anything otherwise would be like saying that you wanted to become a doctor but never have to see blood. It's just not going to happen. In fact, a while ago I was getting at least 2-3 sales calls PER DAY. Sometimes at night. I even have my phone number on the DNC list. When I asked one of the sales callers how they could call me, they told me "your telephone number is public". I thought to myself, "that's exactly right". There isn't much to argue about that. Not only is it public, but in most circumstances I WANT PEOPLE TO CALL! Frustrated Face

It seems however that many other agents didn't get the memo. Just a couple weeks ago I showed a listing in which my buyer was very interested in. In fact, she wanted to go see it again a couple hours later. She was in that moment of excitement that only goes down over time. I called the agent 5x and text her. My messages said something to the effect of, "My buyer is considering making an offer on your listing but wants to do one more walkthrough today". That was 3 weeks ago and my buyer is about to close.... on another house. The agent NEVER called or text me back.

As the title says "10 calls - 10 messages" - I made that many calls this morning to 10 different agents and not one answered and not one has called me back.

Now, like many posts, there are both sides of the argument. I know that "we" as agents cannot let our phone control us. We cannot allow it to interfere with family time etc. BUT this is what we signed up for. If you don't like "being available" then go into another profession. It really makes it difficult for those who love their job!

Stephen Strickhausen
Benchmark Realty 
7127 Crossroads Blvd, Suite 102
Brentwood, Tn 37027
Cell: (615)-480-5770


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Comments (4)

Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Says it all, I think...good post.   We are in the biz of communication and I don't see where it says "sometimes".

Apr 27, 2012 07:32 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

You are SO right. And the silly COE you work under says you can't call that seller and tell them that they lost a sale of their home because their agent couldn't bother to return your call.

In my opinion, the COE is there to protect what was once known as the "good old boys network." It does NOTHING to protect the consumers.

Apr 28, 2012 04:03 AM
Larry Brewer - Benchmark Realty llc
Benchmark Realty LLc - Nashville, TN

You have touched a nerve with me here. I agree one hundred percent, and I think the customers may be part of the problem. It seems that a few agents end up with most of the listings, so they aren't really that motivated to answer the phone when they may be in a listing appointment, or just playing golf. They don't care, they have 30 to 50 listings, and one or two phone calls aren't going to make that big of a difference to them.

As far as people trying to sell something to me (usually google placement or leads), they get one shot, and then they end up on my do not answer contact list. I have 19 at this time in my phone.

Apr 29, 2012 02:37 AM
The 1410 Group of Benchmark Realty, LLC
Benchmark Realty - Franklin, TN

Thanks for the comments. Since this blog I am still waiting (of course trying to call myself) on returned phone calls from these agents! If only we could alert the sellers. I think our business would double!

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May 02, 2012 06:40 AM