Answer the phone!
In the last week I have read some blogs about answering the phone. It always frustrates me as a Main Line Realtor when agents don't answer their phone, even more when you cannot leave a message because their voice mail is full. Exactly home many messages do you need to get before your voice mail is full?
Sometimes I understand you can be kicking back and relaxing, enjoying some time off and the phone goes. Do you answer or not?
When our son was in Iraq we always had our phones on, we never knew when he might be able to call and we told him if he ever needed to talk, not to worry about the time. One evening we were both fast asleep and the phone goes, it was approaching midnight, I am more of an early morning person, not a late night person so had been asleep a while. I sat bolt upright, grabbed the phone, and answered. One of my clients was on the end of the phone, and could not believe I had answered, he thought it would go automatically to voice mail. I said no problem, and explained why my phone was on. He sheepishly apologized and said it could wait till the morning. But I was awake now so we discussed what was troubling him, in another room so as not to wake Trudy, and he was thankful as he had been troubled about something.
Last year, one weekend, Trudy had been away and I had been working very hard. It was a Sunday and I had decided to just relax. It was very late morning, almost noon, I was unshaven and not dressed for work. My phone goes. I pick it up and talk with this lady who had seen one of my blog posts and that had lead her to my website where there was some more information about a local development where they wanted to buy a home. Could we meet? Sure I said, when do you want to meet? Thinking they would say later that week. Now, was the answer. I looked down at myself and asked if we could make it for an hour later at my office.
We met, had a wonderful conversation and it resulted in selling them a home in the development they had called about and listing their home which sold in two days with multiple offers. So, it pays to answer your phone.
Our clients always compliment us in testimonials on how we are available or how we get back to them as soon as possible. The consumer today values a quick response. It pays to answer your phone.
Likewise, sometimes when a lead comes in with a phone number or as a call, people seem so surprised when you either answer or call them back. I don't know about you,but I like being busy and just don't understand agents who don't return calls. To me it is unprofessional, likewise acknowledging receipt of a contract by email or when it is dropped off at their office. It doesn't take that long does it? Answer the phone.
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