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Half of Agents Don't Respond to Online Leads

By Mike Lyon

Services for Real Estate Pros

August 28, 2007 08:57 AM

Great video from Trulia interviewing the lead generation division of Weichert Realtors. Michael gives the following stats (don’t know where he got them from but I like it!)

Of the customers that submit their information online:

21% Expect Instantaneous response
44% expect a response within 40 minutes
100% expect a response withing 1 day

The typical agent only responds 48% of the time - and the average response is 2 1/2 days.

For those fast responders - guaranteed job security.

Click Here to View the Video>>

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Greg Willson

The Sign Bandits! - Ormond Beach, FL

I have the internet inquires sent to my Blackberry so I can respond immediatley. No sense wasting time when you know that there are others that are being contacted.

Aug 28, 2007 11:30 PM

Donna Yates

BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA

Blue Ridge Mountains

I know for a fact, responding as quickly as possible is crucial! I always try to respond within one hour of receipt. Is it murder to do, you bet but it's worth it. Even if it's just a quick note to let them know I've received their request and am working on it. If I respond with an email, I usually will say that I will be back in touch within 24 hours or less. Those who expect an immediate response are unrealistic unless you have a system that will respond automatically for you.

Aug 29, 2007 12:05 AM

Debbie Johnson

REMERICA United Realty - Novi, MI

Novi, MI Real Estate Professional

Our society wants immediate gratification. When you respond quickly, you stand above most other Realtors.

Aug 29, 2007 12:29 AM

David Slavin

Keller Williams Premier - Katy, TX

CDPE, ABR, SRES Keller Williams Premier

As with any lead, a quick response is always best! It's best if you want more business that is.

Aug 30, 2007 06:46 AM

Diane Velikis

Coldwell & Banker Busch Real Estate - Luzerne, PA

Luzerne County Real Estate

Jeez, how hard is it to respond to an iquiry? I don't know how those agents stay so busy!

Sep 03, 2007 01:07 AM

Bob Haywood

McGraw Realtors - Owasso, OK

BobHaywood.com

Hey Mike,

Great post! Miss your smile over here in Owasso! How's it going in Edmond?

Mar 21, 2008 02:44 PM

Mary Strang

Viroqua, WI

This has been a problem since email became the main method of contact for all of those anonymous buyers out there in cyberspace. What type of reply do you do first? An automatic auto-responder or do you answer each email on an individual basis?

Mar 22, 2008 01:40 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

Yes and no. Most internet leads are also the flakiest too. They request for information but they do not provide their phone number or email. So go figure....

Mar 22, 2008 01:48 AM

Denise Allen

Resh Realty Group - Chesapeake, VA

Realtor@ Chesapeake, Hampton Roads

Amazing isn't it. You can bet the buyer isn't sitting around waiting for you to call, he is on to the next real estate agent.

Mar 23, 2008 06:22 AM

Anonymous

Mike Lyon

Bob - Great to hear from you. Missing Owasso but loving the new challenge!

Mar 23, 2008 06:24 AM

#17

Terri Hayley

Legit Agents - Prosper, TX

Where Texas Charm Meets New Home Expertise

Did they reveal how much information was given in the cards? If they were legible? If you could avtually get in touch with people through this vehicle? I know many of the builder cards I used to get were not of a nature that we could actually extrapolate helpful data from them. Those people sort of make up their own group and I think would be difficult to be added into the normal mix.

Hands down, though, when I respond to online leads immediately, they are very appreciative and start bonding quickly.

Mar 24, 2008 05:37 PM

John and Lisa Marker

RE/MAX Dream Properties - Northville, MI

It amazes me when I hear this statistic...agents pay for all these leads but never followup on them!

Mar 25, 2008 02:48 PM

Shaun Greer

Motivated Real Estate Leads.com - Boise, ID

Real Estate Marketing & Real Estate Lead Expert

As a the owner of a lead broker these numbers make me cringe...Responding quick to a real estate leads means creating a professional relationship with the client. I urge all my receivers of leads to contact within 24hrs.

Mar 26, 2008 10:13 AM

Rob Muller

ReMax Town & Country - Canton, GA

Cherokee County Real Estate

I have to admit that at times I have been more focused on generating the leads than following up on them immediately

Mar 26, 2008 02:41 PM

Elizabeth Cooper-Golden

Huntsville Alabama Real Estate, (@ Homes Realty Group) - Huntsville, AL

Huntsville AL MLS

Yes, people "want it now"! If I am too busy, I send them on to other agents that need the business and get a referral fee...beets losing them all together!

Mar 26, 2008 02:45 PM

Carol Judd

New Star Real Estate - Vernal, UT

Vernal Utah Real Estate

Thanks for the info. I will be sure to respond quickly to inquiries.

Mar 26, 2008 04:44 PM

Debra Drummond

RE/MAX Gallery - Plymouth, MI

MichiganMoves Real Estate in SE Michigan

People are usually pleasantly surprised at how quickly I phone them. It's all about service.

Mar 26, 2008 04:56 PM

John and Lisa Marker

RE/MAX Dream Properties - Northville, MI

Hey Debra...people are truly pleasantly surprised with a fast response and impressed as well.

Mar 27, 2008 02:24 PM

Bart Whitmore

Keller Williams- Louisville - Louisville, KY

Real Estate Agent

Why even bother to have a web site if your not going to respond to any leads? I cant answer for them---Bart

Mar 27, 2008 02:49 PM

Larry DeCoursey

DeCoursey Real Estate Group - North Las Vegas, NV

Broker Salesperson

I am one of those agents that responds within minutes to any request that comes in as a lead from the Internet. However, yesterday I received one that said.

Name: Person's Name

Phone: gave me the phone number but also added DO NOT CALL

Email: gave me the email address but also added DO NOT EMAIL

Obviously not a good lead. Many don't fill in the right name or email or phone number. So when people complain they may just want to make sure that what they are giving as their contact information is correct.

I have closed a couple of deals from internet leads, however, I get more bogus leads than good.

Mar 27, 2008 03:32 PM