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Texting is Now, Older Real Estate Agents Get on Board or Get Left Behind

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 TN Broker: 208698

Texting is Now, Older Real Estate Agents Get on Board or Get Left Behind.

Testing is nowWhen I got started in real estate in 1980, there was no voicemail. There were very few cell phones and because the expense was so high not many people could afford them. So instead we used regular telephones, public pay phones and dialed and dialed until someone answered.

We also used something called the United States Postal Service. There was no email. We didn't know what the internet was except something that major universities used for their research projects. We mailed letters and postcards and sent contracts through the mail to be signed. If we were in a big hurry we would use FedEx. Business moved at a much slower pace. Life moved at a slower pace.

Today we are in the 21st Century with the Millennial buyers. They are forcing all of us to move faster and do things their way. They are all about technology. They don't like using the telephone. They are not fans of email. As my son said, nobody emails anymore. They communicate via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other ways. They text even if they are in the same room and could easily speak it. Do I get it? Not really.

Text is the way they want to communicate. It's fast and limits those lengthy conversations. They want the facts and want to move on. If you need to say more, send a photo. Ever heard a picture is worth a thousand words? I even have younger agents texting me offers. 

So for those older real estate agents like me, we are being forced to be current and text. How's it going? Not too bad. I ask each and everyone of my clients how they would like to be communicated with. If they are under 60 the majority are saying text first. This says to me that they are being brought current by the young people in our society, their kids, their grandchildren. Even some of their voicemails say if you want to get a quick response, text. Email and phone calls are only last ditch efforts for many.

Bottom line it doesn't matter how I want to do business. I have to do it the way the consumer wants to do business. Even at open houses I ask buyers if I may text them. They readily say yes without any hesitation. Refusing to do it will only hurt my business. Texting is here and whether it will be replaced with something else in the future, I don't know for sure but can guess something faster will come along. At that time I need to be ready to adapt and change.

Texting is Now. Older Real Estate Agents Get on Board or Get Left Behind. 

Posted by

 Centruy 21 Platinum Properties2130 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.

Clarksville, TN 37040

When you need Real Estate services in Clarksville TN

                  it would be my pleasure to assist you!                             

Debbie Reynolds
"The Real Debbie Reynolds"

Check out all Clarksville TN Real Estate on My Website

                   
                   
931-771-9070 Office | 931-320-6730 Cell

Clarksville TN Homes 

                 

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Comments (152)

Roshan Quigley
Weichert Realtors - Manalapan/Marlboro, NJ - Manalapan, NJ

Its important to understand what mode of communication works best for our clients - I certaininly feel the speed of texting helps especially with scheduling appointments.  I do however prefer to keep that paper trail with regards to negotations and sales contracts.

Mar 11, 2015 12:46 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

The key is to get the client's requests and deliver what they are expecting. I offer to text and they jump all over it and say yes of course.

Mar 11, 2015 01:12 AM
Mark Artesani
Keller Williams Realty - Fountain Valley, CA
Huntington & Newport Beach, Fountain Valley Homes

I get a lot more responses from texting than e mail.

 

Thanks for the post

Mar 11, 2015 01:15 AM
Mark Artesani
Keller Williams Realty - Fountain Valley, CA
Huntington & Newport Beach, Fountain Valley Homes

I get more responses from texting than from e mail.

Thanks for the post.

Mar 11, 2015 01:16 AM
Art Welch
Superstars Realty - Buckeye, AZ
Broker

The thing I find is that so many people, and ususally those under 35 think texting is a form of communication.  It's not.  It's a good way to say you are on the way, running late, pass a lock box code, acknowledge something.  It is those that think they need to write more than 25 word in a text that are so lame.  If you have that much to say put it in an email so I can document it, or call me so I can respond.  Then theres the ones that need the last word, I might say Goodbye to a Goodbye but then the other party needs to add an OMGEE, and 5 seconds later add something else.  What is the fear of actually calling someone, nothing more irritating then texting with a 12 year old, OMG, STFD, GOYA~!

Mar 11, 2015 07:40 AM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

I was skeptical about texting a few years ago.  My kids using standard key 10 key key pads on old flip phones.  I didn't want to hassel with all that thinking and clicking.  Then, smart phones, full keyboards and most importantly Speech to Text became reality and I use it all the time.  

I'd use smoke signals if that was my clients preferred method of communications, so it all comes down to what they are comfortable with. 

Mar 11, 2015 04:51 PM
Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

Texting is efficient and can be done without fear of calling at inconvenient time.

Mar 12, 2015 01:04 AM
Valerie McNeal, CRS, GRI, CDPE
Keller Williams Integrity Bob Lucido Team - Ellicott City, MD
Integrity, Knowledge, Results

I am in complete agreement. We HAVE to be able to text. With younger clients, that IS the main way to communicate. I love the fact that we can be direct and to the point without additional long conversations....

Mar 12, 2015 03:36 AM
Cat Zwicker, CRS
Desert Sky Real Estate, LLC - Redmond, OR
Down to Earth Service; Out of this World Results!

I agree that communicating with the client in the form they prefer is key to maintaining your footing with any client.  I text, FB/IM, skype and of course email. I have ceased to put a fax number on correspondence as I scan; text or email most docs and work in the cloud almost exclusively.  However, I do still call my clients who prefer a voice to a data stream and recognize they want that extra contact. 

Mar 12, 2015 04:27 AM
Andrea Curtis United Country Premier Properties Certified Military Relocation Professional
United CountryPremier Properties - Harker Heights, TX
U C INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MILITARY PROPERTIES

The majority of my clients are young and in the military.  They don't have time to talk while they are on post but they will text and respond to a text almost immediatly.   Roshan Quigley you can back up your text to your email account.  There are a number of good aps out there.   

Mar 12, 2015 09:59 AM
Odaly Victorio
Team Victorious at Keller Williams Realty - Jupiter, FL
Marketing Expert

I love my 'texters' and lose my mind with those that call and leave a voicemail asking me to call them back (usually other agents).  If you MUST leave me an evil voicemail, make it count!  While I rant...why if the property is vacant on SUPRA do you make us call your listing office?  Ahhh...feel better now

Mar 12, 2015 01:29 PM
Robin Carter
Rockin' Robin Virtual Assistance LLC - Torrington, WY
Making you look good matters!

Debbie Reynolds, am I "old"? I don't want to get left behind! I text, but only when my clients want to communicate with texting and initiate it. I get a lot of texting practice with my millenial kids. I also get a lot of sighs, shaking of heads and laughing from them, too.

Mar 13, 2015 03:12 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

I totally get folks not liking technology but I do see it as more of them being stubborn.  Why would anyone not want to take advantage of technology that saves time, your clients use it, why would you put your needs ahead of theirs?  Is there a time and place? Of course there is. Just like anything. 

Mar 15, 2015 01:28 PM
Anonymous
Nancy Hilburn

I find your note interesting, because I just read a note posted by a Millenial on Trulia complaining about all the marketing regarding Millenials. Saying, "I don't text, "I don't email", etc. Of course we all know she's not the norm. I was working with three different clients simultaniously late last summer that texting was all we did unless we had to sign something, then I sent it by email and used Digisign. Occasionally calling. My problem was being sure I was responding with the correct message to the correct client! I also ask "How do you want to be contacted?" You have to "go with the flow". Thanks!

Mar 16, 2015 02:53 AM
#146
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Debbie - prefer texting to voice mail, and then it is in writing. Especially when I am setting up showings.

Mar 19, 2015 12:51 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I am fine with texting since younger clients prefer this way of communications. I find it often more convenient and useful than a conversation.

Apr 08, 2015 06:24 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

Hi, I can't believe I missed this post, great read on todays hot topic. Thanks for sharing.

Apr 15, 2015 12:27 PM
Jessica Cates
Jessica Cates Creative - Gilbert, AZ
Real Estate Marketing Expert + Blogger

Debbie - Thanks for sharing! On a similar note, you're invited to join Ryan Owen, CEO at Zurple, for an interactive webinar on "How to Get More Deals from Your Online Leads". Register now to reserve your spot: http://go.zurple.com/rsvp

Let me know if you need anything else!

Apr 23, 2015 03:17 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I really like this post and am glad it made it to the top 5 since I missed it the first time around. While I have yet to text an offer, I'm on board with the rest of it and find it very convenient and quick. I guess it wouldn't be so prevalent if it didn't work so yeah for new technology and all the options it offers!

Jan 07, 2016 09:52 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I love texting with clients. For quick information, it's so much easier. 

Jan 08, 2016 07:48 AM