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They're coming out of the woodwork

Calling all agents, calling all agents.........Beware of the telemarketers!!!! They have found our numbers and aren't afraid to use them. Just this morning I recieved three seperate calls from people trying to sell me search engine placement, preferred agent status on a HUD website, and the ever present House Values clones. Why is it that they try to solicit business right after the holidays, and right before we prepare to deal with the IRS?

These people need to understand the market conditions all over the country right now. Not all of us are ready to jump ship, but a lack of consumer confidence, tighter credit standards, fewer new jobs, and a decline in the stock market have had a pretty strong impact on the housing market. It's not all doom and gloom, but this time of year, it's tough to compete with the hangover of debt from the holidays.

The telphone used to be my friend. My link to the outside world. Wait a minute, here comes another number I don't recognize. Yep, just as I thought, another solicitor. Please take me off of your list.

Posted by Andrew Culp on 01/11/2008 02:58 PM

Comments (9)

solicitors, telemarketing

9 Comments on They're coming out of the woodwork

Andrew, Can you imagine what it must be like to have one of these jobs. Calling people and getting treated this way ! Got to be a tough way to earn a buck !

01/11/2008 03:05 PM

by Bill Gillhespy Fort Myers Beach Realtor (Century 21 Tripower Realty)

I have been getting an increased number of solicitors on my cell phone lately too! They must be getting desperate for non DNC list phone #'s.

01/11/2008 03:08 PM

by Leisha Clure (Countrywide Home Loans)

I have a block on my phone so I don't receive a lot of these calls. I also notified my banks, credit card companies...not to sell my info to 3rd parties. I don't get a lot of these calls and junk mail as slowed down too.

01/11/2008 03:16 PM

by LaNita Cates (REMAX)

Active Rain is a social network. Probably the best way to get business from others is to provide something of value through your blog. It is irritating to get unsolicited calls and e-mails. I'd rather contact a service provider when I am convinced of the value of the service they are providing. A blogging platform can be an excellent way to convince if it's done correctly and without invading the privacy of others.

01/11/2008 03:19 PM

by Lola Audu~ Audu Real Estate~ Grand Rapids, MI Broker

I had someone from realtybarn call me today, stating they saw my profile on active rain. They had leads they wanted to sell me.

01/11/2008 03:26 PM

by Chris Frantz (Exit Success)

Don't forget about all the spam we get. It's becoming too common for companies trying to sell real estate websites, email flyer services, seminars, and tons of other stuff.

Where do they get our email addresses from? The more I think about it, I'm beginning to feel that every local Board of Realtors must have a secret stream of income in place, by selling the information of their members.

01/11/2008 04:29 PM

by Eugene Watson (LTI Solutions)

Yeah...I know if we are hurting...the leeches are hurting....afterall, if we don't make money, neither do they...

01/11/2008 08:59 PM

by Konnie McKee Northern Virginia Real Estate (Konnie McKee )

This blog and all the comments makes you wonder what people outside our industry think of us? LOL

01/11/2008 11:36 PM

by Jimmy McCall~Clarksville's Mortgage Consultant (Legacy Mortgage Services, Inc. ~ Clarksville, Tennessee)

Andrew,

The volume of spam sure has increased since the beginning of the year... My delete key may start to get tired..... But it works just fine...

The good news is that the actual legitimate business call traffic is increasing by leaps and bounds... Buyers, Sellers, agents calling on my listings... We're coming out of the Winter/Lending Industry Meltdown doldrums.

Houses are selling again! Keep the faith! Washington State has the 5th best real estate market in the country and the Mount Vernon to Anacortes market is the 18th best local market in the country - of the 280 measured.... This is a good place to be... Remind people about it and believe it yourself!

Charge-Onward!!!

-Bill

P.S. Andrew, welcome back to the Rain... Missed your insight around here!

01/24/2008 01:41 AM

by Bill Sauneuf (Preview Properties Skagit LLC)