Real Estate Is A Relationship Business!

Jared-Some of your points do make doing the business more challenging than it needs to be. Unfortunately, it's not likely many offenders will read your post.

I absolutely agree that real estate is a relationship and service business.  Answering the phone, responding to messages, responding to emails, being pleasant are all extremely important.

I think eventually their reputations will catch up with them. Marketing will only get you so far for so long.

I am also amazed at the way some agents neglect their phone calls.  Trying to reach an agent about an offer you need information on is often impossible. This is so unfair to the seller. I think a lot of agents actually don't answer because they do not choose to deal with problems. Communication with our clients is so necessary.

 

Betty

"Real" estate and "rel"ationships

I agree with you completely.  Those agents who play games with their listings or fail to see the value in connecting with fellow agents often miss out on opportunities.  Besides the ethics, they aren't doing their clients any favors by not engaging with other agents.

In an area where the agents know who is responsive and who isn't those that need to work with that agent will find a way to get through or go onto something else

I think it's always best to keep relationships with my fellow agents amiable. You never know when you might be doing business with them again.

What nonsense...it just amazes me too. Business means what it says literally...

Great points Jared!

It's so important to maintain a professional reputation by returning calls asap.  Unfortunately my cell phone was not notifying me of voice mails recently....I was making calls out just fine, but some calls were never getting to me and no voice mails!  Horror.  I felt so bad when I found out I had missed over a dozen voice mails.  I immediately replaced the phone and sent out an email to all my contacts apologizing for any inconvenience.

Jared, isn't it surprising that most agents treat this a 'transactional' business? And forget their clients within a year or so?

Jared, absolutely and I think another example of when this shows up is when we are working with someone on putting a contract together and they know us from "answering the phone or not".   I think the negotiations don't go quite as well for the "don't answer the phone group".

I try to remind new agents of this every month when I induct them into our local association - you remember the agents that are a joy to deal with, and seek them out, and, the reverse is true as well.

People, sadly, have become so accustomed to poor customer service and lack of human interaction, that many are still willing to subject themselves to this type of experience. I love the surprise in a voice when I answer my phone on the first or second ring, and take the amount of time they need to answer all their questions, then do a follow up email. I may not be closing loans like hotcakes, but I do have a devoted base of satisfied customers who return to me and refer friends and family to me as well. Thanks for the great post!

Jared, regardless of how big the team is, there should always be someone available to promptly answer any questions and give impeccable customer service. Each agent is their own person, and each should be focused on giving clients, potential or otherwise, the attention they require and deserve. Successful relationships can't thrive without it.