Special offer

Did you hear the story how Texting killed a Home Sale?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

The phone rings and there is a person on the line who is distraught. They eventually slowed down so i could make out what they were saying. They were distraught over the sale of their Manchester NH area Home.

 

Were they listed with me? No. Ok, good. So, I then had to get to the bottom of this call. After listening to the seller I was in shock. They cried that Selling their house should not be this hard.

 

Just then someone else gets on the phone. I know that voice. It is a local school teacher, i just sold her home and sold her a new one. Now her parents need help. Without telling his daughter, the father wanted to list with the biggest company he saw on TV. He called in, they sent a young agent and he soon had his house listed.

 

Until today, he had not heard anything from the agent. People would show up at the door without notice, knock and say they were their to see the house. They let them in not knowing. Today, a lady stopped by yelling how they were breaking the contract and she was filing suit against everyone. The sellers had no clue what or why.

 

Fast forward the teacher asked me to get involved. She had written to the company and got a full release of the listing today. It was time her parents had someone who could take care of her parents the "right way" with the sale of her home. Of course I could help.

 

I headed over to their home. It was an immaculate home built in the 1970's. They have lived there for 50 years. It was updated and super clean. I got some beautiful pictures and let them know how the selling process would gostep by step. They were very happy I would be there through each step of the selling process.

 

Soon the home was on the market and in the MLS. That is when the texts started fast but furious. It was the old agent. Cutting to the short story, she said the seller never answered any of her texts and then blamed them for not signing an offer she texted. It was a strange set of texts and a call to the teacher daughter soon got me some answers. Her parents do not even have cell phones. How would they get a text? Good question. I answered the former agent with 1 question what number did she try to reach the seller at? She promptly texted me their home number, a land line. Well there you go, you cannot text a land line.

 

I pondered texting this, but then did. "Why did you text their home phone? They cannot get texts?" I was not sure if i would get a reply, but I did. The former agent proceeded with another volley of texts that "she only texts her clients, who has time for calling?"

 

That is when my texts to her ended. I had my answer. The answer to ger question was also easy. I DO.

 

 

THE MORAL OF THE STORY is that the FIRST thing a Great agent needs to do is ask the client how they want to be reached. Especially older clients who may not email or text. Old fashioned calling is still part of real estate. Just as actually driving there to have them sign a sales contract on real paper with a real pen.

 

In the end, the most important thing in Real Estate for me is provide GREAT SERVICE. I want to stand out from the crowd. My philosophy is simple. To provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the selling and buying process.

 

All agents are not created equal and every consumer should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest agent. Let me show you there is a difference. Please Support locally owned and operated business.

 

Locally owned and operated since 1985.

 

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 35 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

 

 

Comments (16)

Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Scott - methods of communication seems like such a "basic" detail that must be discussed in establishing a relationship.  Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case in this situation.  

Jan 29, 2021 07:47 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Scott Godzyk that's a story that I just have a difficult time believing....can anyone be that dumb????

Jan 29, 2021 08:15 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

Apparently so Barbara Todaro 

Jan 29, 2021 09:05 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello Scott Godzyk ... this part is confusing to me "They let them in not knowing. Today, a lady stopped by yelling how they were breaking the contract and she was filing suit against everyone. The sellers had no clue what or why."

In the end, it does not matter because the issue regarding the text explains how the text killed the home sale. 

People frequently text to my landline ... and yes, I do have a cell phone. 

Jan 29, 2021 09:04 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I have dealt with agents who only text. It is their preferred way of communicating. They don't always answer.

The second question I ask my seller is how do you want notifications and to communicate . It is their choice, not mine Scott Godzyk  

Jan 29, 2021 09:32 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

That is quite the story, Scott. I can't imagine that in this day and age an agent does not review with clients how they wish to be communicated with.

Jan 29, 2021 09:38 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Scott that question is as old as the hills for Pete's sake!  I remenber learing way back when to make sure to ask clients 'how do they prefer I contact them'.

Jan 29, 2021 11:08 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Scott, It sounds like you need to contact that agent's broker and have them get some training.

Jan 29, 2021 11:23 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Oh good grief.  This agent needs to get a grip on basic contact information and contact  preferences.  

Jan 29, 2021 03:16 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Scott,  Thank you for sharing this story.  The agent should be able to "read" the seller.  Obviously, they were more old school and needed a little more TLC.

Jan 29, 2021 04:34 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Scott:

Well, that is quite a story. Seems to me there is a far more serious overall issue with the way that agent runs her business, and her attitude about service to her clients. There is none.

Jeff

Jan 29, 2021 05:22 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Scott- I'm laughing at Barbara Todaro comment!!!!!  I love it. 

Jan 29, 2021 06:11 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

This speaks volumes to the dependency some people have on their phones and lack of proper communication skills.

Jan 29, 2021 07:02 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Communication is everything Michael Jacobs 

Jan 30, 2021 05:11 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Oh yes Barbara Todaro. I was amazed at the lack of common sense in basic real estate duty. 

Jan 30, 2021 05:13 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Good Lord, how do these people have a license. I always end this stories thinking we have to make licensing requirements tougher. 

Jan 30, 2021 08:40 AM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Hi Scott, I just came over from a reblog of your post by Paul S. Henderson.  Your story of the agent who did not know Step 1 Communication was almost too unbelievable.  Like really...?!?  I could only imagine that the agent was definitely in the wrong career choice -- how's that expression go:  Dumber than Dumb....  On a more kinder note, I hope the agent is doing better today as it was a great and unforgettable learning experience. Too bad it had to cause worry and emotional pain to senior citizens.

Apr 12, 2021 11:20 PM