Why Real Estate Agents Don't Answer Their Phones

I get the feeling that some agents just do not want to be bothered. I called 5 agents last week to set up a showing appointment for their listing. 2 answered and were very pleasant and helpful. 3 answered and did not give me anything more than the lock box combo. 

I was calling about selling their listing. You would think they might put themselves out for a minute or two to encourage me

At least they answered the phone.

Thanks for the post.

Carla~ I'm just not a big fan of the phone. I prefer "in person". I know some folks prefer the phone, so I do my best to be accomodating. Typically, however, if I don't recognize the number, I don't answer.

Carla - I never answer my phone when I'm in the middle of doing something and I can't recall the last time I wasn't in the middle of doing something. Have I lost business by not answering my phone every time it rings? Yep, but I'm more productive and able to accomplish things that are making me money.

There are times when I don't answer the phone.  Especially if I don't know the number.  If I am with another client, I do not answer the phone.  I don't even take my phone in with me for a listing appointment.  But you are right, there are too many spammers trying to sell me a zip code or first page placement on Google.  It has become very frustrating to answer the phone for numbers I don't know.

Too funny Carla.  Unfortunately we can't answer our phones ALL the time and because of the many, many, MANY solicitors we get calls from, many of my out state calls go unanswered.

I braved one today and sure enough it was someone trying to sell me top ranking on Google.  They started off telling me, we can't find you anywhere on Google and I told them BS (not in those words), but in that tone and let her know I know exactly what SEO is..and promptly said goodbye and hung up lol :)!

Carla--so true!  The solitors call daily, and yes it can be really distracting! But I still answer the phone and if it is "one of those calls" I tell them I am transfering them to our  "rapid response marketing department" and then hang up. 

Good morning Carla. I have heard so many opinions on this topic. I answer the phone when I am not with clients, I just think it is the right thing to do.

Make it a great weekend!

Yep, now let's spread the word. I don't think that people realize how many nonsense calls that we actually get per day trying to sell us the newest shiny object. Yesterday, 2 calls from Z offering me my zip codes which will give me the opportunity of a lifetime - I'll take a pass.

I don't answer the phone all the time. If they want to get in touch with me, they can leave a message and I will return it promptly. When I was a buyer, I'd leave a message and the realtor called me back....and we worked together on the deal.

Hi Carla - If I am not in an important meeting or more importantly if I am not with a client, I will almost always answer my phone. Cold callers are easily dismissed and sometimes fun depending on the mood. Lookie loos are just another challenge. Qualifying questions allow me to determine next steps pretty quickly. I do respect your experience and choise as you obviously treat your clients very well.

Hello Carla,

You just can't answer the phone 24/7 and be productive - great post!

I like #52's response as well.  That's a keeper!  I do answer my phone unless I'm with a client.  It's something my clients and other agents appreciate.  It's also a reason I get so many leads. Very few potential clients leave a message, they just dial another agent.

When a real estate buyer says I have been looking for that property I can not find for years and every one of your agents, brokers never call me back I see a red flag. Like the client you take on as a lawyer, a patient you get a medical chart to fill out for a doctor, some calls get that initial pick up, like the emails, but if you can not help them because of too high expectations, back away.

Answer the phone, but don't return all the calls for certain buyers or sellers you wish would head down the street but you like and work with those people and later learn they know all about the round robin caller dissing all agents, brokers. There is a reason for the avoidance. Can not help them. It happens. Some are abusive and surprised you don't like to hear how rotten ABC Realty was. No time, not professional and not true.

I work hard to answer the phone.  If I do not I get back to people fast.

Hi Carla, the part of the agent that does not answer their phone does not bother me as long as they return my call within a reasonable time; a lot of times they can't even do that....that's a real turn off!

I still want to answer my phone calls all the time. It is courtesy to really care aboout people. I am 31 years doing this and I try to get back to everyone before I go to bed.

Yeah it is important to answer every call if you are a true agent or seller.