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Windows of Opportunity: Realizing They Exist Before They Close

By
Real Estate Agent with One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate

 

 Kevin Tomlinson is so good looking

 

Today I had a client who asked me to refer him to a mortgage broker.  Most of my clients purchase cash, so I don't have someone I refer regularly.  When I was on the phone with the client, I used my home phone to dial my "mortgage guy" in.  Of course, my call went to voice mail.  So I sent the mortgage guy my client's info and asked him to call my buyer client ASAP.

During the call with my client, he was searching online for a mortgage calculator.  He Googled "mortgage calculator" and happened upon Quicken Loans.  He immediately began an instant message chat with someone at Quicken.  I rarely get involved in my clients and their "money", so we finished our call and I subsequently e-mailed my mortgage guy, at 11:44 am, not to forget to call my client TODAY.

 

I returned home to check my e-mail and here is the response from the mortgage guy at 5:30 pm : "I just called him and he said he is working with an online mtg company ( not a good idea )  but he said if he needs me he will call me back."

A Lesson Learned

All I have to say is that I am glad that I was not the "mortgage guy."  This scenario represents the speed at which "windows of opportunity" open AND close.

So I ask myself, is five hours too long?  On "paper" it is not, BUT in "REALITY" it is.  The pace at which things happen is changing so rapidly that I believe windows of opportunity open and close before most people know that they EVEN EXISTED.

 

Oh, and PLEASE RATE MY POST!

Comments (109)

Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Randi

Hey girl.  Yup--SAD AND TRUE.

Sep 05, 2007 03:00 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Hey Jo

I think for the "quick responders," there is a ton of opportunity out there.  For example: Quicken.

I guess the name says it all, huh?

Sep 05, 2007 03:02 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Ryan--

Open and shut case!

Sep 05, 2007 03:03 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Ginger--

Off topic response:  I was just in SF for the Inman thingy.  Wow.  I'm jealous.  You live in such a spectacular place.  Loved it all.

Sep 05, 2007 03:05 PM
Ginger Wilcox
Sindeo - San Francisco, CA
Off topic response to your response- I am SO bummed I missed all the fun at Inman.  I do live in one of the best areas.  Gorgeous, fun, lots of stuff to do.  I am SO spoiled.  My house is about 8 minutes to the GG bridge.  I have never been to Miami- not even Florida and I consider myself relatively well traveled, at least for an Arizona girl.
Sep 05, 2007 03:22 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Ginger

Miami's got lot of sex appeal...but pretty thin on everything else (including clothes, integrity, politeness, need I go on?).

SoBe for a 4 day trip will be all you need.

 

Sep 05, 2007 03:25 PM
Ginger Wilcox
Sindeo - San Francisco, CA
Sounds like naked vegas. 
Sep 05, 2007 04:33 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Yes, but minus the trailer trash....and I can say that because I'm a trailer-trash-dorito eating, ain't saying......no just kidding.  Just minus the trailer-trash.

 

tee hee.

Sep 05, 2007 04:36 PM
Ginger Wilcox
Sindeo - San Francisco, CA
you mean no fanny packs in sobe? soo off topic now!
Sep 05, 2007 05:03 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

It's so funny you say that....because I am the only DORK who wears one.  DORK!  DORK!

Sep 05, 2007 05:05 PM
Ginger Wilcox
Sindeo - San Francisco, CA
LOL.  I actually have tears streaming down my face because I am laughing so hard.  Please tell me you did not wear a fanny pack in SF? Please Kevin, Please.  I might need a picture of that.  Perhaps you could start a group for fellow fanny pack lovers here on AR- Fanny-Packs Rock Group.  Or how about Fanny Pack Self Help group?  I just know I am going to get fanny pack hate email now.
Sep 05, 2007 05:30 PM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA
I did see his fanny is SF...but no fanny pack :)  He must have forgetten it back in Florida.
Sep 05, 2007 06:00 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Ginger

NO I did not wear it in SF. NEVAH!  I had it stuffed in my suitcase for safe-keeping. 

Sep 05, 2007 08:21 PM
Beth Butler
Beth Butler - Big Mouth Consulting - Miami, FL
hmmmm... and I am thinking of the person who not only doesn't answer the phone, but doesn't listen to his voicemail....we have no say on our time - thee is no vacation, day off without a potential loss of business.
Sep 05, 2007 11:03 PM
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com
In the internet age- five minutes can kill a deal. Advantage to the early bird almost every time. Great post.
Sep 06, 2007 04:17 AM
BLR Guy
BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc) - Saint Pete Beach, FL

I always tell me associates.....if you snooze you lose!

It still amazes me,it takes some people a day or 2 to return a phone call and then expect you to still need their services.

Sep 06, 2007 08:42 AM
Gary Bolen
McCall Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA
CRS - Lake Tahoe Real Estate Information

Kevin,

We rated it, just like you asked. Another 5 deal. Time after time we get biz because we respond so quickly. With that famed 80% of our buyers shopping online first, we're pretty much dealing with the speed of light all the time. We've got 2 new deals starting right now because we responded to online inquiries instantly, and because others didn't respond in hours or a day. It's reality. And one we all must be prepared to provide excellence in...

Good post, right on the money, so to speak, lightening quick!

And thanks for commenting on some of our recent stuff too. Yea!

Cheers... 

Sep 06, 2007 03:58 PM
Juan Leal
Douglas Elliman - Miami Beach, FL
Miami South Beach Real Estate

I think you need to have a mortgage guy you can trust and know that will go to bat for you. Once you do you up sell his abilities and value, this will hopefully give him a bigger window (since your clients trust you and will take your word) and you knowing that that the transaction will be handled correctly.

Sep 26, 2007 08:35 AM
Joe Hayden Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Properties East - Louisville, KY
Your Louisville Real Estate Experts!

I agree with Juan.  I have three people I consistently use that each bring a talent to the table to fit most client needs.  I've had clients delay for days to work with one of these people because of scheduling conflicts, but no doubt they get the best service, I get enough volume to get them to drop fees and points, and I absolutely always know were we stand.  It's worth it in spades...

It did take a bit of time, frustration, and experimentation to find my people, but now we are running smooth.

Feb 20, 2008 11:49 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Joe

Very good!

Feb 20, 2008 11:55 AM