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I Promise, I Won't Call You... Not until you ask me to.

By
Real Estate Agent with Charles Rutenberg Realty

I Promise, I Won't Call You... I hadn't said, well actually typed that to anyone before.  His email to me was clear, "I've signed up on your website to search for Lake Mary homes and I'm giving you my phone number, but you must promise not to call me."  Okay, I wrote back, I Promise.

I've kept my promise for over three months, we exchange emails on almost a  weekly basis... He often has questions about a home or wants to know the taxes, but he doesn't want me to "sell" him.  I never push or sell, I provide information, advice, opinions and guidance but I've never used a sales "technique" on someone to pursuade them to purchase a home. 

Instead of taking on the role of "sales person", I prefer to think of myself as a guide... Informing buyers and sellers about the process and facilitating their purchase or sale, that's truly what I do.  Because, as we all know... when you walk into the house and it's the one that you want, you're already sold.  How do I know, because that's how I bought my home.  I knew it from the moment I opened the door.

 Move To Lake Mary

Move To Lake Mary.com with The Summers Team

Lake Mary Florida Real Estate

Debbie Summers, Lake Mary REALTOR, Blogger, ALHS, ePRO 

407-758-1020 or  Debbie@MoveToLakeMary.com

Search for Homes For Sale in Lake Mary & Seminole County, Florida

Comments (19)

Robert Havana
Park and Protect- Alberta Real Estate License Parking - Calgary, AB
Alberta Real Estate License Parking

wow thats restraint.  I would call the guy the first day and ask him why he didnt want me to call him.  I don't like to not be in control of what is going on i guess. 

Jan 03, 2009 07:04 AM
Kristin Moran
Owner - RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio,TX - Real Estate - 210-313-7397

I like that Debbie and agree wholeheartedly.  You have to make them comfortable.  If they don't like to talk on the phone, they don't like it and when we respect them that way we build rapport with them.  KM

Jan 03, 2009 07:09 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Robert - I find with "online" buyers that you have to accept their boundaries...  They are afraid of REALTORS being pushy with them, I respect that.

Jan 03, 2009 07:10 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Kristin - It's true...  A buyer that came to me online in July, who never reached out for me until October just closed on their home.  Building a relationship is so much more important to me than gaining "control".

Jan 03, 2009 07:12 AM
Kristin Moran
Owner - RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio,TX - Real Estate - 210-313-7397

I personally love the ones that LOVE to text and email our way through the transaction.  My favorite buyers & sellers! 

Jan 03, 2009 07:17 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Kristin - I prefer to communicate with all parties via email... it holds people accountable (including myself)...  I always ask what a buyer or sellers preferred method of communication is, it really is all about them.

Jan 03, 2009 07:21 AM
Larry Brinkley
KELLER WILLIAMS Realty - Conway, AR
Arkansas Real Estate Broker in Conway, Arkansas

Remember, if it is worth doing, its worth doing for free.  When I was a new agent, I was just one who helped others sell theirs, I think.  Have gotten a little better since then.  Many want to buy from listing agent, starting to here the chior crank up.  One of my biggest buyers had me take him out looking at others' properties, I guess just to check me out, then he bought one of my listings for 945k cash.  You just never know.  I liked your blog!  So many are just looking.  The last client that put their phone number on my website has a mobile in a mobile home park that they rent.  Talk about a 180 on that lead.  Internet?  I hope my grandchildren become computer geeks, could use a blackhole type lead capturing tools.  

You are the Best Agent in your Market! 

Jan 03, 2009 08:04 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Larry - Well said... I'm here to help people and I'll never forget it.  The internet really empowers buyers and sellers and I'm all for it. 

Thank you for your kind words.

Jan 03, 2009 08:09 AM
Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

Debbie I agree that is the best stance to take. I have had buyers that it took a year of talking back and forth online before we meet and moved forward. We are educators not sales people.

Jan 03, 2009 09:57 AM
Elayna Fernandez
the Positive MOM - Fort Worth, TX
BE Positive and You'll BE Powerful!

Marketing Naples  Thank you for posting, Debbie. I agree that you should deliver on your promises, no matter what. The fact that he is "testing you" and corresponding back and forth says a lot about his expectations of your business relationship. You may have a client for life and that is priceless.

Happy New Year and thank you for everything!

Jan 03, 2009 11:15 AM
Richard Stabile
Re/Max Real Estate Limited - Oradell, NJ
Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor

Debbie:

Someone said you must win their hearts and minds first, then you can make a sale. I don't really know if anyone really said that, I just thought it sounded good.:)

People need to feel comfortable to buy from you. Give service and build a respectful relationship. If he is going to buy then so be it.

I think your doing the right thing. Buyers in this market have to get themselves ready, this my be his way.

Happy New Year!

Richard

Jan 03, 2009 12:11 PM
Donna Harris
RE/MAX - Dallas, TX

I very rarely call my internet leads, unless they ask me to.  They are on the internet for a reason. They want to search at their leisure and gather information.  I email quite often, mostly through a drip campaign, but calls are very rare, and many contact me when they're ready because they appreciated that I left them alone.

Jan 03, 2009 01:18 PM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Heather - It's all about working within their comfort zone...  I agree, we aren't sales people - we are guides.

Elayna - I agree with you, it's all about the relationship.

Richard - I'm going to quote you on that... I can't tell you that one of the best compliments I've ever received is from a first time buyer's parents who thanked me for being so patient with their daughter and son in law.  I built a relationship that will last.

Jan 03, 2009 01:41 PM
Amy Salisbury
Leading Edge Properties - Charles Town, WV
West Virginia Realtor/Jefferson/Berkeley

Debbie,

Its all about comfort level, isn't it?  By allowing this buyer to remain comfortable, you're showing him respect.  What goes around, comes around.  Good for you!

Jan 03, 2009 10:40 PM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Debbie~ I say give the buyers what they want.  He certainly made it clear he didn't want any calls.  He will probably call you when he is ready.  I love it when we all know our boundaries.  It is much easier on everyone!  No one likes pushy people.  I know I don't. 

Jan 04, 2009 03:18 AM
Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH

I've closed deals where I have never talked to the buyer.  It has been all through email, fax, and Fedex.   My clients actually prefer a hands pff approach. 

Jan 04, 2009 04:26 AM
Lisa Spalding
Casa Latino Four Corners, REALTOR, CDPE - Longwood, FL
REALTOR, CDPE

:)  Giving consumers what they want (or not giving them what they DON'T want) is what makes good salespeople GOOD salespeople.  Way to go!  :)

Jan 04, 2009 07:06 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Amy - I agree it is all about respect.

Vickie - I know why folks are shopping online, they want the information at an arm's length...  I'm happy to give it to them and let them know that I'm always here if they need me.

Chad - We also have sold property and never met the homeowners in person...  Good communication regardless of it's means is the key.

Lisa - Thanks for the kind words...  I try to give people exactly what they are looking for, it's that simple.

Jan 04, 2009 10:56 AM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

If someone makes such a request you're smart enough to honor it. I have a few clients who've made such requests and it's easy enough to use the other technologies to still manage to get things done. Also... I like buyer representation for the same reason you mention. I prefer that people not see me as a sales person but, rather as a person who helps you find the house you want to buy.

Jan 04, 2009 04:34 PM