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Text Etiquette?

By
Real Estate Agent with Diamond Partners, Inc

Is there a book somewhere on text etiquette?  There are a lot things that I just don't get and was wondering about.  For some reason, people think that I should recognize their phone number or know what they are talking about when they text message me. When I send a letter or an email, I sign my name; when I make a phone call, I start by identifying myself.

I don't have EVERY ONE of the people I speak to or have ever spoken to recorded in my phone.  And even if someone is recorded in my contacts, if their number comes across with a +1 in front of it, it won't register who that person is.  And so, half the time, I don't know who is text messaging me.

Now sometimes I can figure it out from the text itself.  But a lot of times -- most of the time -- I can't.  Got this one the other day, "What did your buyer think?"  I had shown 15 homes to 3 different buyers that day.  I didn't have a clue which house, which buyer, or which agent.  Turns out it was a house from the day before; a house that I had already left feedback for the agent.

Then I got this one, "how flexible is your seller on that asking price?"  What? That might be an ok text if I only had one listing and if I knew if the text was coming from a buyer or an agent. My answer would be the same basic idea. If it was a buyer, I would suggest that I write an offer to see how flexible the seller was. If it was an agent, I would suggest they write the offer.

I know it takes up characters, but is it so hard to use the same etiquette that we use in email, or phone calls, or snail mail, or any other form of communication?  We identify ourselves! We put our name at the end of an email.  We start a phone conversation with, "Hi, this is Suzie." We sign our name to a letter or postcard.  Why can't we do that with a text?

 

 

Comments (186)

Linda Bowermaster
Bedford, MA
Buyers Agent, Rentals

I would tell people that if they are going to text me to put their name and address of the listing 1st, then what it is they want to text.  ONLY if it is a short question.  Anything that would have a DETAILED answer should either be a call or Email.

I also would tell them that I do not mind "text speak" but only the simple things.

It isn't that hard to figure out a few things... r for Are, u for You.  It is to save space. You HAVE to understand that part opr texting is not for you and you need to tell them that up front.

Maybe I like it because I text myself and sometimes like it better then having to stop what I am doing and answer the phone.

Also know that a text needs an answer fast (unless otherwise stated) that is why people use Text.  It's kinda for the Immediate type of person.

Ie:  Dave, 12 main st. I have meetings all day, if the offer is accepted plz txt me and I will call you..... My Answer --- k

If you get a text and someone says...  Can I get a showing?   My Answer ...  Sure, what property and when. If you ahve questions either call me at 2pm or email the questions to Blob@in.com

BUT, know that I would tell someone that if they want to put in an offer that they have to meet me in person and SIGN PAPERS  :)

 

I hope thsi was helpful

 

Feb 07, 2014 11:44 PM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Linda - good information

Feb 08, 2014 12:19 AM
Deleted Account
Fort Myers, FL

Great post Suzie!  I don't like using test as a regular way to communicate for the same reasons in the blog.

Feb 09, 2014 04:06 AM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

William, thanks for the affirmation.

Feb 09, 2014 08:14 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I hear you.  Seems that the energy to complete more information in a text has been lost.  This could be the topic of a book that might be a best seller!

Feb 10, 2014 01:46 AM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Jan:

Feb 10, 2014 01:56 AM
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

If it is a text related to another agent or a clients I always put "-Stefan Winter" as a seperate line on the bottom of the text. My phone does it automacticlly so I don't even have to type it. What drives me crazy is people that can use acronym for every combination of words, half the time I have to look up what they mean

Feb 10, 2014 06:23 AM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Stefan -- I just ask my really hip assistant -- since I don't have kids to ask!

 

Feb 10, 2014 07:29 AM
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Suzie, it took me less than five minutes to activate my text signature.  On a Droid, I opened my Text app, opened the menu, scrolled down to Multimedia (MMS) Messages, selected Message signature check box, then opened "Edit signature".  Limited number of characters--so I typed my name and phone number. Closed app.

When I clicked the app, and selected a new message--there it was at the bottom.

So easy that a 67 year old, left-handed, bald-headed granddad can do it.  I didn't even have to go to Verizon Help or Kim Komando.

Now, if I send a message, I won't get a "Who r u?" response.  Now, if I could figure out how to spend money that does not exist, I could run for president!

Feb 10, 2014 07:52 AM
Steven Pahl
Keller Williams Tampa Properties - Tampa, FL
Real Estate Consultant Tampa, FL 813-319-6423

What I hate is the agents who won't answer their phone. but will text forever.  Sorry, I can talk faster than I can text and wait for your reply.  Your seller probably just lost offer or your buyer is going to be very disappoined because I won't carry on an hours long "text party" with you because you refuse to return or make a phone call.

Feb 10, 2014 12:35 PM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Fred -- great instructions!  I agree -- if I can do it, anyone can.

Steven -- I know that there are agents who can text faster than they can talk -- I am not one of them either! And this is a relationship business. I don't want to have an interpersonal relationship with my phone.

Feb 10, 2014 10:01 PM
Yvette Chisholm
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD
Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

It is definitely a different way to communicate.   I wish that it would automatically sign the texts.   People don't realize the group texts can be very confusing.

Feb 11, 2014 06:02 AM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Yvette - You can set up your signature if you have any smart phone. Go to your settings and play and it will automatically sign your name.

Feb 11, 2014 06:35 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

Text is good for some things, but I will take a phone call much more seriously than a text. I will see if I can set up a signature on my phone. Thanks.

Feb 23, 2014 11:40 PM
Morris Massre
Pembroke Pines, FL
Real Estate Instructor Broward County Florida

Of course there is text etiquette, but there is also text stupidity!  Most people who text do so because they do not want to carry on a conversation, not because they are busy.  The stupidity comes forth when they make comments based on their thoughts that you cannot read.

Feb 24, 2014 02:06 AM
Cindy Graesser
Keller Williams - Temecula, CA
CG Premier Realty Group. "We'll Get you Moving!"

I found this humorous... a little like a 'venting' blog!  I know how you feel!! lol

Feb 24, 2014 08:42 AM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Cindy - that is exactly what it was!  The interesting part is, a lot of my clients have added signature lines to their text messages; they are not the folks I was referring to!

Morris - Some of the potential buyers are wanting to remain anonymous still, and I get that.  Most individuals don't text to people they don't know.  It is the agents who are conducting business on their phone that are the real culprits. And how can you be an agent without wanting to carry on a conversation?

Wayne - there are several people who have put instructions in their comments.  I can't remember right now how I changed mine. The good news is that once you have it in there, you don't have to change it!

Feb 24, 2014 10:57 PM
George Fanucci
CoreFact.com - Los Altos, CA
Internet - Technology - Business - Solutions
When you want to Google a phone number, use this format to search: 
 
 
{{ Capital OR is required to search Google using a logical OR operator, and the quotes will try to find your three groups of numbers in that exact sequence, the separator does not matter, use - or [space] or .  those should all work the same. }} 
 
Often, frequently used numbers appear on websites, such as: 
 
 
 
 
. . . or on an agent's personal web page —— with any luck, Google may find 80% of your phone number searches. {{ Hint: Google your own number, and see what you find? }}
 
Here is a useful service which can lookup the callerid info for any number: 
 
http://whocalld.com    which is free, or
 
http://www.cnam.info    whicn costs $25 per year. 
 
However, many mobile phone numbers do not have callerid names, just cities. 
Jul 29, 2014 12:58 AM
George Fanucci
CoreFact.com - Los Altos, CA
Internet - Technology - Business - Solutions

OOPS.. due to an ActiveRain bug, posting from an iPad will cause multiple posts. Sorry for all the dups (now deleted) that had been caused when trying to edit the comment I tried to post from an iPad. That USED TO work okay, a few months ago, but not anymore. 

Jul 29, 2014 01:00 AM
Suzie Townley
Diamond Partners, Inc - Gardner, KS
Relaxed Professionalism

Thanks, George!  Great instructions.

Jul 29, 2014 01:13 AM