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Are you a Secret Agent? How transparent are you?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty Simi Valley 01224852

I am not sure how many times this has happened to others, but I was trying to work with an agent today on one of my listings and I could not get a hold of the agent.  The phone number the agent left me, just rang and rang and rang.  So I looked up the agent's contact information through the Supra Lockbox database and sent an email.  The email bounced.  I called the office and they had no alternative number or email for the agent.  I went through the agent's contact page on the company website only to have a call returned by some other person in the office.  I even looked up the Agents contact information on the MLS roster and had no better luck there.

I know we all need to have lives, but this business requires some level of transparency.  I believe that my information needs to be available and easy to find.

1. Google your name and see what comes up.  Can a prospect or former client Google you and find your contact information with ease?

2.  Make sure to update your contact information on the MLS, The lockbox system and your office, so other agents with potential buyers for your listings can send you an offer.

3. Be a little less paranoid, sales is a contact sport.

4. If you are new to Active Rain, completely fill out your profile page as it will show up under a google search for your name.  This si a great way to make sure your contact information is easy to find on the internet.

My goal is to keep my cell number, efax number and email ubiquitous, I see no purpose in being a secret agent.

 

Mark Hall
Realty One Group Cascadia - Vancouver, WA
Homes for Sale Vancouver Washington

I couldn't agree more! I sold a home over a year ago and a previous listing agent left 2 lock boxes (we have two MLS service here in Vancouver, Washington) attached to the gas meter. I have been trying to contact her for over a year! Go figure!

Jul 03, 2008 11:28 AM
Bryan King
Ascent Home Loans - Simpsonville, SC

This works for loan officers as well.  Or any sales type person.  If you don't want to be contacted easily, then you are in the wrong business!!  Good point to make.

Jul 03, 2008 11:30 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy Ted

I agree with you a 100%! This also works for home inspector's.

If you do not have your information available and easy for them to fine. Then you are really sayen, you just don't give a hoot about them.

You also always want to call the folk's back, if you use a answering machine.

God Bless The U.S.A.

Jul 03, 2008 12:33 PM
Nancy Larson
I am a licensed referral agent in NJ - Hutchinson Island, FL

I leave four phone numbers all with answering machine to those I work with. Work, cell, home and home office. I have picked up phone calls at 1:00 am for my clients. If I can't be there for my clients, I shouldn't be in this business.

Jul 03, 2008 12:40 PM
Debbie Hughes
Keller Williams Realty - Pleasant View, TN

I absolutely agree 100%! I had a client that was very interested in a home that stated to contact listing agent for showing. NO lockbox, a combo code, we were unable to reach that agent or show the home. Who knows, they could have missed a potential offer.

Take care,

Debbie

Jul 06, 2008 04:11 PM
Stephen Adams
Keller Williams Realty - Leesburg, VA

It is important today with so many properties, for agents to be sensible and responsible enough to answer incoming calls and make them readily accessible.  I get swamped with things "to do", but I very rarely don't answer the phone.  If busy, just ask for a more convenient time for both.  Bryan was right, this is a contact sport.  But 1:00 Am in the morning?  My child gets me up sometimes then, and I'll deal with it.  But respect is a 2 way street.   If I have to wake up for a call that late (early?), how affective will I be at 8:30 to deal with an issue that really, more than likely couldn't be resolved until the morning at the earliest anyway <unless, of course, number of bedrooms needs to be changed in the MLS :)>

Jul 07, 2008 03:33 PM
Anne Hensel
South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL
Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

I am not sure if you can cal them "secret agents" to me they are just in hiding.

How can you sell something if you do not answer your phone?

It happens to me all the time, I so hate it.

Anne

Jul 07, 2008 03:39 PM
Pete Jalbert
The Maui Real Estate Team, Inc. - Paia, HI
R(S)

Ted-That is my ultimate pet peeve. I had a scenario this year where I was trying to get the primary listing agent and I tried all available contact avenues for the agent to no luck so I called the co-listor. He was a challenge to reach as well. When I did reach him, he let me know that he had been working for another company and hadn't been co-listor for over 4 months. Talk about being a disservice to your seller.

Jul 07, 2008 06:58 PM
Rob Gerhart
Long and Foster - Lansdale, PA

"I couldn't agree more! I sold a home over a year ago and a previous listing agent left 2 lock boxes (we have two MLS service here in Vancouver, Washington) attached to the gas meter. I have been trying to contact her for over a year! Go figure!"

 

Time to get out the bolt cutters :)

Jul 08, 2008 08:47 AM