Personally, I don't think we are in a "bad" market.  For the past several years the real estate market has been one where an agent just had to wait on the phone to ring.  After several conversations with several veteran Realtors, I have come to the conclusion that we are in a "perceived" bad market.  That being said...we perceive this market as "bad" because most of us have only known a "gang-buster" market...according to sources, we are now in a "normal" market. 

 Sellers are beginning to take their homes off the market or are reducing their ridiculously over-priced homes to the right price.  Buyers are shopping for a deal (which hasn't changed) and will most likely find one if they are being assited/represented by the right Realtor/Agent. 

In today's market, we Agents/Realtors had better hone our Customer Service skills and learn that NOT answering the phone will be our down-fall.  Not returning calls in a timely manner will mean a deal or no deal.  We need to learn that GOOD Customer Service entails LISTENING to our clients/customers and not just hearing what we want to hear.  We better figure out that the client/customer is ALWAYS right.  Learn to interview your prospective client to find out exactly what they want in a home, commercial property, condo or land purchase; and by doing this we will eliminate the exessive waste of our time and money.

We can farm areas, send out news letters, postcards, etc... all day long, but if we don't get back to the basics of GREAT Customer Service, we will miss the boat.  Customer Service is all we have to offer our clients...we are 1st and foremost salespeople and with that territory comes the necessity of good customer service in all areas of the business.

My 2 cents...Anyone have anything to add?