Would you help this person? Seems 12 other agents wouldn’t!

Just playing the devil's advocate a bit, but did she leave the other agent's messages?  I have had buyers call me and say they've tried to call the listing agent in our office and couldn't get in touch with them.  Many times when I go back to the agent, they say they hadn't received any messages about the property.  While I'm sure it's not the case with all 10, some may have never received the message.

We has a similar situation in my office.  Caller calling about one of our bank owned listings.  Sounded very uneducated and ethnic.  Even my Boss who was a person with his own ethnicity would not return this guys call.

Now me, I said what the heck, let's give the guy a call.  He wanted to see a house and I was going to be in the area.  Now, I know we should not go meet a stranger at a house, but I was not too bright.

Met the guy at the house and he wanted to buy it.  So we went over to the area Mickey Dees to write an offer and I scrounged up the courage to ask. . . so how are you going to pay for this?  Do you have a lender?  He didn't look like he would have the funds in person either.

His preferred way to buy  . . . cash.  He closed about a week later.  And he bought another house about 6 months later.

So you can't judge a buyer by where they want to buy, what they ask or how they sound on the phone.  I could have ignored the guy too and lost out on two commissions in 1 year!

Hi Todd, Great service and good reward. I know some of the REO agents are not returning calls. As soon as market turns to normal, they will loose out. We are a service business and should serve our clients and at the least return their calls. If one does not work in that area you can refer out the business. Congratulations for the new client Todd.

Of course!  I would've done the exact same thing you did, and I don't understand anyone not returning a call!  Especially in the market we've all been experiencing for so long now.  Can they possibly not need the business?  I don't THINK so!!People are just so lazy and rude, I think, and that serves absolutely no-one!

Good for you!  I've done this, and it really isn't a big deal!  Congrats on the new client!

I to would have & have done the same thing. It has ceated a few sales but more than that it keeps me up on what is out there for sale in my market.

Kudos!  Professional and Helpful, those two words could have summed up your post and who you are!

Nice work!  I have an investor client that I shoot videos for and post on youtube for him to see to save him a trip.  He's my #1 client, so I don't mind doing it.  I'd really have to think about doing it for someone that I just met, though.  I think if they were nice and not demanding I would do it.  I had someone when I first started about eight years ask me to drive all the streets with listing on them and give them a report about the neighborhoods because they were too busy to drive by themselves.  I did not do it because they were very bossy and demeaning.

David in Boston

You are to be congratulated!  You do what you say and say what you do.  Shows strong commitment to our industry.  I do not know what to say about those that did not respond.

I work with a lot of out of town buyers and do this all the time for them.  Most have great loyalty.

I send more than I should have  just this week in response to an email with no contact  information except the brief email - no phone.   I did have the will power, however, to mention that I had a detailed current market analysis and floor plans of that neighborhood, which I used with my buyer clients.   I haven't heard back yet.   

The other frustrating thing about out-of-area callers, which others have probably mentioned, is that they're often looking in several other good retirement/second home areas and no matter how hard we work, they may choose the other area.   At least most are open about that, and they do have friends or some contact that made them consider the Johnson City area, so there may be something in the future from these relationships.   

I have quit mailing relocation packages to people I don't have a commitment from.   I just tell them what will be in the package later, and that's usually enough.

I send more than I should have  just this week in response to an email with no contact  information except the brief email - no phone.   I did have the will power, however, to mention that I had a detailed current market analysis and floor plans of that neighborhood, which I used with my buyer clients.   I haven't heard back yet.   

The other frustrating thing about out-of-area callers, which others have probably mentioned, is that they're often looking in several other good retirement/second home areas and no matter how hard we work, they may choose the other area.   At least most are open about that, and they do have friends or some contact that made them consider the Johnson City area, so there may be something in the future from these relationships.   

I have quit mailing relocation packages to people I don't have a commitment from.   I just tell them what will be in the package later, and that's usually enough.

I send more than I should have  just this week in response to an email with no contact  information except the brief email - no phone.   I did have the will power, however, to mention that I had a detailed current market analysis and floor plans of that neighborhood, which I used with my buyer clients.   I haven't heard back yet.   

The other frustrating thing about out-of-area callers, which others have probably mentioned, is that they're often looking in several other good retirement/second home areas and no matter how hard we work, they may choose the other area.   At least most are open about that, and they do have friends or some contact that made them consider the Johnson City area, so there may be something in the future from these relationships.   

I have quit mailing relocation packages to people I don't have a commitment from.   I just tell them what will be in the package later, and that's usually enough.

Yes yes yes I would!!!!!!

This is a huge pet peeve of mine as it is unprofessional and reflects poorly on our industry as a whole.  At a time when many agents are whining about "starving", why are so many not willing to do something as simple as return a phone call or drive out to take a picture??

I guess I should be glad because it makes it easy for the agents who are ready, willing and able to provide great customer service to shine. But, we will never be able to get above 99 on the "most trusted" professionals list this way!

I am shocked at just how many people I am talking with that can't get an agent to return a call, or even send an email.  What is going on with agents these days?  I am more than happy to pick up the phone and make a call, and I would of been more than willing to take pictures as well. 

Great job, it pays to be considerate!!!

10 did not return her calls.  Sounds like a math exercise here....

If 80% of agents don't survive 2 years in our industry, and only 10 out of 12 returned her call or picked up a phone.  What percentage of agents did she not talk to? 

83% 

Sounds awfully close to a statistic I have heard...

I forgot to mention.... I have helped that person.  3 times.  3 Out of State Cash Deals. 

I met them face to face when they flew into town to see the 3 properties I had narrowed down to with photos / video. 

For all 3, the actual showings were less than an hour, then to lunch to eat and fill out the offer. typically by COB, our offers were accepted and they were back home next day.  Closed via courier!

All 3 were cash deals.

I have also accpeted relocation clients the same way.  Taking photos while I'm out and about anyway, if any extras were needed. 

If you simply do what you love, the money will follow.  Place the money first, and you will not be able to do what you love!  I love to help....

Hi Todd,

this is a great read.  You were God sent for her.  10 others wouldn't help?  Not is bad!

Good job.  Here's your sticker.

Todd ~ you are the difference between an agent that cares and an agent that doesn't.  Good for you!  And now you will probably get some referrals from her as well.

It depends on the price range.  I know it's easy to villify agents who say no, but I've decided that my time is valuable, and if I say yes to something, I'm saying no to something else.  So, if it was $150k or under, I probably would have referred her to another agent.  If higher than $150k, I would have taken the pictures and video, and sent her a detailed write-up on the props.  Just time vs. money for me...nothing personal.