We all like to receive referrals. Referrals from past clients, business contacts as well as other agents. That is one of the strengths of belonging to professional networking sites and groups.
Over the weekend I referred a seller lead to a real estate agent who is a member of ActiveRain (although not very active). Still, this agent was in the right location. We all know how important local knowledge is for real estate success.
I explained that the contact requested the initial contact be by email rather than phone calls. I did not go into the details as I thought it was not necessary.
One day later I received an email from the referral agent. It said to have your contact call me if they want to talk to me about their house.
I advised the prospective seller of the response.
The reason for the contact request by email was simple. Seller works 12 hour shifts over night. Seller commutes one hour each way to work. Seller has already moved. Seller did not want to be inundated with phone calls.
This listing is practically gift wrapped green! 
I passed along the response from the agent. My response was I would forget about this agent. I suggested I would look for another real estate agent.
Still, they will wait and see the response received from the other agent. I sent them an email explaining why the seller preferred email contact initially.
I do not do business this way.
If a prospective or current client has a preferred contact method or time I will accomodate if possible.
Referrals are the least costly form of business one can generate.
From my position as a referrer, your response to my referral is an indicator of your service to clients. I think I made a mistake in this case.
By the way, if you are looking for a referral agent in central Florida including Melboure and Viera, I am available!
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