Why is it that some agents are so bad at communication? I know agents are busy listing and selling property, but you must include time in your daily plan to return phone calls and e-mails. The most common complaint i get from clients who have dumped their last agent is that the agent never returned calls or messages and was never available. I make it a habit to return calls and emails within 24 hours. If i am not able I set an away message to cover me when it may take an extra day. Everybody likes to know that they are important to you. If I buyer is looking to buy a home in Palmdale or Lancaster and they call an agent and the agent does not respond, they keep calling agents until they get a response.
Almost as bad are the agents who are too busy doing something more important than participating in the transaction at hand. I had a listing agent tell me (as she was too busy to come to the home inspection on her own listing), that she couldn't address an issue with a swimming pool because she was out shopping. I actually would rather not ever talk to her again!
I love those agents in my area. I can't tell you how many clients I have picked up due to "just answering the phone".
Rude, uncaring or message may have slipped under the radar. Those are the only reasons I can think of why agents don't return phone calls. As for slipping under the radar, that reason only flies once. After that,it can just be classifed as rude and uncaring.
I was constantly snubbed by a high profile agent just earlier this year. I don't care what form of communication, 3 days was the earliest which is just ridiculous.
Many times though, sellers are unrealistic. I've had one seller say that an hour was too long & we ended up parting ways because I just couldn't stand her 'do it now' attitude on the most mundane of details.
This is one reason why realtors are generalized as bad agents in some movies. Communication is a very crucial device of gaining your clients' trust. Otherwise, this also means loss of a hot lead and income.
An excellent post that every agent should apply to their business. I'm starting to text who I call and left a voice mail to check their voice mail messages if it's urgent and very important.
While it is possible that some agents just become too busy, it is not an excuse. In this business communication is imperative.
Johnny, communication is at the top of the list when it comes to a real estate transaction. When a call is not returned, I call the other party as many times as necessary.
I hate that as well. Been waiting on two "Top" Agents to return calls/emails regarding possible Buyers for their properties for a week now.
Johnny, it is frustrating to me when I call an agent about property and they do not call back; so I know how people feel when agents do not call them back....frustrating for sure!!
I got a client because I was the only one to pick up the phone and provide timely information.
Brother Johhny you are preaching to the choir. There are some amongst us who just don't care.
Hi Jonny, we assume there are good and bad in every profession. We look to exceed expectations and win those clients dissatisfied with their last agent.
I am willing to bet my bottom dollar that all of the agents on AR do not have a communication problem. You guys are the cream of the crop, able to use smartphone, email, text, web and telephone to keep everyone involved abreast of what is going on.
Johnny: A very important post that should be heeded by all of us. I am eccentric about getting back to the customer right away and I have all the devices at my disposal to be accomodating to everyone. It is a fast moving world and we as realtors have to be up for the challange.
Great post Johnny! I tell my clients to use the 4-3-2-1 system with me. I can be with a client for as long as 4 hours. If you call or e-mail me and I don't respond within 4 hours, call or e-mail me again. If I don't respond in 3 hours, call or e-mail me again, then 2 hours and then 1 hour. If I haven't responded in those 10 hours, feel free to chew me out, because I deserve it. I also tell them, I won't call them after 9:00, but I want them to call me after 9:00 until I answer, even if it is after midnight. I am supposed to be there for them, not them for me. By the way, my average response time is about 2 hours.
I have days when I cringe when the phone rings. Just don't feel like I can put my best face forward. I let it go to voice mail, check the message immediately and regroup before calling back. The only thing worse than not answering the phone is answering it when you are just not ready to be on your best footing.
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