"I Only Work Evenings and Weekends By Appointment." Are You Sure?
Let me explain...I recently went on a listing consultation for a potential listing in a very desirable area. They greeted me at the door and wasted no time asking me their most important question.
"Do you work evenings and weekends?"
It seemed like a reasonable question. After all, much of my job happens when other people are NOT working, because well, that is when they are available.
I replied that I often do work evenings and weekends when buyers are looking for a home or a listing receives an offer or showing calls.
I could see the feeling of relief pass over them. You see, they had met with three other top agents in the Cedar Rapids area. All of them stated: "I Only Work Evenings and Weekends By Appointment." And I know many agents that have that on their website and their voicemail as well.
And I get it. It sends the message that you are a professional and you have a life outside of the office. I really do get it.
BUT, the problem is that many potential clients will pass you by.
Why? Because an offer presented or written is not usually between 8 am to 5 pm. Since many buyers and sellers are not available during the working hours, they need to know that they can reach you. What if your listing receives an offer at 5:30 pm and the response time is 10:00 am the next morning? Are you really going to wait until 8:00 am to try to reach your seller? Probably not. Any agent would probably make an "exception" to their work hours statement.
But how does a potential client know that? They don't.
Just food for thought. I had this discussion with some brand new agents this week about whether they should define their "working" hours. Many top agents do, after all. I think it depends on the message you want to send and if you are okay with how it may be perceived by someone that doesn't know you make exceptions.
There are many ways to approach this business. You determine whether you can be accessible or not in the way that you present your expectations to your clients and let them give you theirs. It is a partnership. And it needs to fit on both sides of the table!
Keep smiling!
Karen
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