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"But You Realtors® Are So Scary To Talk To"

By Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

July 09, 2011 06:51 AM

Oh my goodness! I actually heard this yesterday.

"Realtors® are scary"

I had recieved an email from someone who had found me online. They had asked some questions in a public forum and their questions had really gotten pretty detailed. I offered that they could contact me and we could chat more specifically.

I did get an email.....but not a phone number. So we did some back and forth by email, which is fine...I like email. It allows me to clearly write what I want to convey and hopefully understand the questions as well. But at some point, we need to "touch" humanly....we had gotten to that point.

Then it came.....in an email:"But You Realtors® Are So Scary To Talk To"

Ok....what does that mean? Do people think that we can force them to sell their home....or buy a home? Are they afraid we might put their desires into action? Think about that....

Would calling a Realtor® cause a consumer to put their desires into action!!

Obviously we can't force anyone to do anything...nor should we. But we can help create a plan of action if someone is READY to make a move. I also spend quite a bit of time working on my pipeline....deferred income! That pipeline is the reason that I've been successful in this business. Who do you think is in a pipeline? Someone who isn't quite ready to take action...we need those clients also.

So if you are thinking about buying or selling in Orange County....stop guessing about prices, and values, and costs, and loans....call a Realtor®. CALL ME!!! Get the information you really need to make decisions...even (especially) if it's not something you want/need/can do right now..my pipeline needs attention also.

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Dagmar Mouritsen-Maricopa

Solutions Real Estate - Maricopa, AZ

R.E. Neighborhood Specialist

I agree, we need to start our work where the clients start. That's only natural.

Jul 09, 2011 06:55 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Karen- Haven't met a scary one yet! And... email just can't convey feelings, etc that you pick up over the phone.

Jul 09, 2011 07:00 AM

Kathy Sheehan

Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA

Senior Loan Officer

Karen, I run into this same type of attitude when it comes to pre-qualifying for a mortgage. I guess if you don't have your finances and credit in order, it can be scary. However, as a professional, I am here to help overcome those obstacles, but I need clear communication regarding their situation.

Jul 09, 2011 07:01 AM

Terri Poehler

Realtor - Coral Springs, FL

Coral Springs Real Estate Agent

Karen, they're afraid of theirselves. They know we can make it happen.

Jul 09, 2011 07:09 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

You know Karen I have met a few very scary type agents this past few years!! But that's another post!

And I agree - the general public sometimes gets scared to call - or just don't know who to trust - or they're 1st timers and are really scared to make a move because it's overwhelming. All they need to do is make the call and get comfortable.....the first step is always the hardest for this type of person.

Jul 09, 2011 08:20 AM

Pam Miller

Realty Associates - Conroe, TX

Broker Associate - Water Crest on Lake Conroe

Karen - I have met a few agents that were a little on the scary side....maybe they needed a vacation. That is such a cute picture!

Jul 09, 2011 10:05 AM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

Karen - LOL at Pam's comment. Gotta say, I've met some pretty scary ones too. Anyway, for what it's worth, people are scared to talk to MLO's too. Getting a loan and buying a home is really scary for a lot of people not only first timers but so many others too because so many people have heard way too many horror stories from their family and friends. When you think about it - can you blame people for being scared?

Jul 09, 2011 01:44 PM

Christine Smith

Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA

Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

I can relate to that consumer. Not that I think REALTORS are scary (well....not all of them...I have met some like Pam mentioned!) but that in dealing with things outside of work, I prefer to email or go on a website, rather than have to talk to someone on the phone. I can't explain it really but just that for getting certain things done, I prefer not to have to talk to someone directly.

Jul 09, 2011 03:45 PM

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Greg: Are you sure? I've seen a couple. But the bigger point is to talk with us and stop guessing

Dagmar: Great point

Kathy: at some point, we need to talk in person

Kathy: Exactly...it's embarrassment and fear of failure, I think.

Terri: That's what I think...but they almost think that we can force them to do something? really?

Anna: That's it exactly...and these same people then try to find info online and through public forums, but that's only going to take them so far

Pam: Yeah, me too...vacation sounds good

Donne: No...I do understand, but they also need to be strong enough to move on if the person they are talking to doesn't satisfy their needs.

Christine: I relate also....I hate talking to a car salesman too. :/ even if I want the car. But we are so much better than that.

Jul 10, 2011 04:49 AM

Lina Robertson

AMAX Real Estate - Springfield, MO

REALTOR® Serving Springfield, Nixa and Ozark, MO

I got tired of the anonymous signups on my website, so I finally posted a video on there that says, "If you want to speak with Lina, just leave her your phone number. If you don't want to talk to her, DON'T leave her your phone number. She won't stalk you. Why? She doesn't want to. She finds that as creepy as you do."

I wasn't sure what kind of reaction I would have to that video, but amazingly enough, more people are leaving their phone numbers now than before. So....I've left it up there. I need to go back and revise it......you know, when I have some free time. :)

Jul 10, 2011 05:53 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Scary? Maybe we talk and move too fast at times, and need to slow down a bit.

Jul 10, 2011 05:54 AM

Alan May

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL

Home is where the hearth is.

I've heard this before, too. Because some Realtors, when they're contacted via phone... latch on with all their might... they're like leeches, that you can't get rid of, without taking a match to them.

Jul 10, 2011 06:31 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Never heard that before, although I think some listing agents I've had the pleasure would fall into the scary to talk to category. Love Lina's #11 solution.

Jul 10, 2011 10:14 AM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Karen: It's that they think we are going to twist their arm into buying a home. You know, "High Pressure Sales".

Jul 10, 2011 12:05 PM

Kasey & John Boles

Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID

Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I've met some scary ones too. It's interesting that they were willing to have a conversation vea email and they truly wanted help it sounds like, but still thought Realtors are scary. I think people just don't want to get the hard well or be called constantly. Email is more in their control. I completely understand that. - Kasey

Jul 10, 2011 04:44 PM

Jerry Newman

Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX

Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Karen, I didn't know we were scary. But, I can image that there will always be a some customers who are very hesitate about contacting Real Estate agents. Perhaps, the email approach is better than those phone calls.

Jul 10, 2011 06:09 PM

Tni LeBlanc, Realtor®, J.D.

Mint Properties, Lic. #01871795 - Santa Maria, CA

Tenacious Tni (805) 878-9879

Yes, I know people sometimes are afraid to talk to us or give us their phone number I don't get it.

Email is great up to a point and then it becomes completely useless. I hope she conquers her fear.

Jul 11, 2011 01:53 AM

Pamela Seley

West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA

Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Email is ok, but until someone calls me I don't think they're ready yet. Buying (especially for first-time buyers) is definitely more scary than selling, so I can see how REALTORS® might be seen as scary to talk to.

Jul 11, 2011 05:09 AM

Sheila Goulart Siegel

Synergy Financial Group, Inc. - Mission Viejo, CA

I love the picture. I think you are scary too. (Just kidding...) :) I 100% agree with you that a client who needs help becomes part of our "pipeline" or a raving fan to refer others. It is important for a potential client to call to get the information they need to decide what they want to do based on market conditions etc.

Jul 12, 2011 05:48 AM

Maya Swamy

Funds Available - Long Beach, CA

Ph.D. Long Beach, CA - fundsavailable.com

When I was 23 and trying to buy my first home I was so scared of the realtor I put off the purchase. It was 3 months before I dared to approach another. So I know exactly how your would be clients felt. Fortunately when they get over it they will have you.

Jul 15, 2011 07:34 PM