Just Answer The Phone

Due to the nature of our focus on lake real estate over a wide geographic area, we interact with real estate agents from many parts of the country. It is not uncommon to have an interested buyer for a property where we don't have an agent.

In these cases, we often start out by contacting the listing agent. After all, it would seem logical they would be the most motivated to promptly work with an interested potential buyer.

Let me correct that. We often start by TRYING to contact the listing agent. While we find some super responsive, very professional listing agents, it amazes me how many times the listing agent won't answer the phone, return a voice message, or answer a text. Or maybe they do, but it is three or four days later.

"Hi, This is John Doe, you called last week about a property I have listed on Lake Big Dollar."

It has become so common that I've begun advising all of my friends who have property listed for sale, to have one of their friends call the listing agent every few weeks just to be sure the agent is still properly representing the property.

I realize many former full-time agents are now part-time and have a "day job." But that in no way excuses the failure to remain a true professional. And true professionals communicate in a timely manner.

Why does this happen so often?  Is it because of the economy, the need for additional jobs, or the independent contractor approach used by real estate brokerages?

I submit these are excuses, not reasons.

I believe the reason this happens so often is because our profession permits it and consumers, trusting us, are often unaware of the problem. We may complain (like I am doing today) or be frustrated. But it remains acceptable to the clients and real estate peers, else the guilty would be forced out of business already.

A restaurant that took three hours to serve food wouldn't survive. Gas stations with pumps that took an hour to fill up your car would fail. A barber that took six hours to cut your hair would never make it. None of these situation are acceptable and the market ultimately punishes those who fail to provide proper service.

Home buyers and sellers need to expect, no, demand professional responsiveness from their real estate agents, just as they would from a waiter or a bank teller. And as an industry, we should hold ourselves mutually accountable. To not do so, means through our silence we show our acceptance, along with the tarnish it brings to everyone who works in real estate.