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Playing hard to get as a business model?

By
Real Estate Agent with Divine Realty 757788

      My former broker is a good guy, very successful. His pholosophy was never to be available the day a new customer called.  Even if his schedule was free, he made a point of scheduling a first meeting a couple of days out.  The message - "My time is valuable, and I am busy, and I will fit you in." 

      I have a much different take on the situation.  I will clear my schedule at a moment's notice for someone that comes with a time-sensitve need.  And, by the way, almost all real estate needs are time sensitive.  By that I mean:  Since all real estate is by definition unique, the opportunity for that one buyer to connect with one particular property cannot be recreated if it is lost.  So if we jet out that day to see homes, we might have success that may not be possible the next day.  Even in a sluggish market, properties sell. Opportunities knock.  Doors open, doors close.

      And by the way, that resposiveness give the client and I the opportunity to begin a bonafide relationship.  I would like to hope that by dint of positve energy, I have become more than one of a string of anonymous email inquiries or voicemail messages.

      So I believe that picking up the phone at 6:30 AM or 11:30 PM is a good thing.  New Years Day, no problem, if you want to see some homes.  Someone called at 4 AM yesterday for a rental.  Now that was a bit much, but I took the call. 

        In this age when folks are used to instant gratification, I will do my best to hop to the finger snap.  Truth be told, these days I am quite grateful for the finger snaps to hop to!  So call me if you need me.  Anytime!

 

Christine McDaniel
Christine McDaniel Realty, LLC - Avon, IN
Broker Associate

Joel,  I'm alot like you in that respect, someone calls and I hop.  I've been told in order to grow my business successfully and to protect my time, I can't be a "poptart".  I think a happy medium needs to be reached.  I am working on that ;)

Jan 15, 2012 03:19 PM
Jamie R. Bell
Bell Realty Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NEP - Glastonbury, CT
Your Central CT Realtor

Joel~I commend you for snapping to attention when your clients call. Too many times agents set 'work hours' that are like a banker and it is very hard to work with them. But I do believe that I need some unplugged me time so I will jump when necessary for a client but I do draw the line at answering my phone before 8AM and after 9PM unless I am in the midst of negotiating a deal. Good luck to you!

Make it a great year!

Jan 15, 2012 03:28 PM
Mary Macy
Top Agents Atlanta Metro - Roswell, GA
Top Agents Atlanta Metro

I cannot imagine having a message that says, If you call me after 6:00 PM I won't return your call until tomorrow, always sounds like "I am so much more important than anything you could want, you need to wait on me"  It is amazing that agents have this message, at least to me.

Jan 15, 2012 03:29 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Joel - real estate used to be a 24/7 kind of business for me but as I get older I get wiser ..... those who call with some urgency in their call rarely ended up doing business especially those who called on a Sunday ..... so now I am more like your former broker

Jan 15, 2012 03:32 PM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

I am getting more like your brokers as 8 years of being a "POPTART" has not made any sales. Serious people respect regular time frames.

Jan 15, 2012 03:37 PM
Joel Matson
Divine Realty - New Haven, CT

Hello, Christine,

    Poptart! I like that.  OK, so to those people who want you to protect our time...OK, there is plenty of time for crossword puzzles in line at the soup kitchen!  A happy medium is good.  I am going for hectic medium, if the market will only cooperate!  Let's all just keep it moving!

 

Hey Jamie,

    I must say, I got a call at midnight from a client once about the pix on their listing, and I rolled my eyes a bit.  For sure, a burned out shell is not much help to anyone!  8AM to 9 PM is some pretty hefty "on" time. So kudos for being there for the folks!  I am putting on my Swami turban and predicting a fine year for you!

 

Hello Mary,

I share your jaw-drop/eye-roll!  Real estate just ain't that neat, people. It happens after work, when people have the time.  Did you not read that in the fine print when you became a realtor?  If y'all wanted banker's hours, you should have become bankers!  Best wishes for an year where that good energy comes back to you!

Jan 15, 2012 03:45 PM
Joel Matson
Divine Realty - New Haven, CT

Hello Kathy,

     I am still on that 24/7/365 carousel (one of the "older kids" on the flying horses).   Sounds like you have struck a balance that works!

Hey there Rob,

      I do find that enough of my clients have voiced appreciation of my being reachable that for me the power of Poptartism (ala Christine) is a real factor in demonstrating value to clients.  I do believe that the most productive relationships are based on mutual respect. But modern life is just a tad crazy for most everyone! 

Jan 15, 2012 04:04 PM