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The case of the disappearing prospects...

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential

It happened again today...

It has been happening a lot lately.  My prospects keep disappearing...

Where do they keep going?

I have been generating a solid amount of new leads recently.  Most from my advertising on Facebook.  Others from my blogging efforts...

It seems every day or so, someone pops up, raises their virtual hand, and asks for information/inquires about a property I am advertising...

I follow up as quickly as I can.  "Sounds great!" 

If given a phone number I call.  Answering machine.  I leave a friendly message. 

I follow up with a friendly email.  Or a message on Facebook...

But nothing.

Where do they keep going?

Perhaps it is a sign of the times.  It is cold outside right now.  January 2014...

Perhaps life is just getting in the way.  Kids going to school.  Challenges at home.  Challenges at work...

Many are probably just making due.  Maybe just waiting for spring?

Who knows?

But I sure wish somebody would return my phone calls...

Ken

 

 

Comments (76)

Richard Arnold
Keller Williams Realty East Valley - Tempe, AZ
Realtor - Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Phoenix

They go under the radar.  If you've got the email - start a drip campaign.  If they don't want your emails, they will unsubscribe.

Best to be top of mind when they decide to appear again.

Jan 20, 2014 11:59 PM
Karen Deis
ApartmentToolKit.com - Minneapolis, MN
When In-house training is not enough!

Don't know if you do this, but might want to try giving them a link to a free report or white paper, or home buying checklist to download.  Create a pop up so they have to give you their name and email address so you can build your email database and then email them home buying articles every two weeks. Just a suggestion.

Jan 21, 2014 12:16 AM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
Your persistence will pay off. Keep plugging away. Your day will come.
Jan 21, 2014 03:38 AM
John Anello, Stamford Area Electrician
Safe and Sound Electric LLC - Greenwich, CT
Call Safe and Sound Electric at 203-536-0021

It happens all the time. They might brush you off for a few months, but then call you and all of a sudden they need to sell their home ASAP.  

Jan 21, 2014 03:59 AM
Gina Tufano
Ask Gina & Company with Pearson Smith Realty - Sterling, VA
Ask Gina & Company, Northern Virginia Real Estate

I love how encouraging and helpful this community is. Everybody wants to help everyone and, whether it was just time to post a blog or you really are super concerned, you've got this! 

Jan 21, 2014 04:26 AM
Jill Saddler
Draper, UT
Draper Utah Real Estate Professional - 25 years+!

I agree with Cheryl - keep plugging away!! You just never know...

Jan 21, 2014 04:35 AM
Aaron Hofmann
Atlanta Communities - Smyrna, GA
aka Mr. Smyrna Vinings

Just be diligent about reaching out to them and even if you don't hear back from them, continue to market to them. I've closed transactions with buyers from 3, 4, 5 years ago who may have just been looking at the time, but they know who to call once they're ready.

Jan 21, 2014 05:24 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I think a lot of people just assume we all make a ton of money and we are for them a free information service. They also may be a bit shocked that you called back so quickly, most agents don't do that.

Jan 21, 2014 06:58 AM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Ken -- I think we have all had this happen. For me it was about a month ago. Then the buyer came back. Unfortunately, a family member had passed away and the buyer understandably took a step back.  Some come back; some don't. Keep at it!

Jan 21, 2014 09:49 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Ken:  Don't get frustrated or down about this.  I swear, it's the weather in Chicagoland creeping into your business.  There's lot of people putting "feelers" out there.  Playing with the idea of buying.  That's good news and shows good potential for the coming good weather and spring.  Hang in there .. and think positively ...

Gene 

Jan 21, 2014 10:12 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Ken, I think you have minutes, not hours, to respond to these types of inquiries. If they don't get an answer instantly, they move on. Congrats on the move to Charles Rutenberberg. Our Benchmark office is modeled after Charles Rutenberg Realty. Being able to keep more of my commission has made a big difference in my business.

Jan 21, 2014 10:27 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

HA . . . they seem to be the same folks that contact me for information then leave. It's still early in the year Ken. 

Jan 21, 2014 10:39 AM
Cathy Wolters
Wolters Realty & Property Management Company - Cocoa, FL
Your Brevard County Property Management Expert

Yeah , I think this happens to all of us at times.  Hopefuly they remember you actually responded, when they are actually ready to do something.  

Jan 21, 2014 12:13 PM
Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Maybe give them a reason to call you.  The internet unfortunately gives them a lot of information that we have access to.

But if you give them some "inside scoop" exclusive information that they do not have access to, they will call.  Such as a pocket listing that you or an associate has coming up?  A new listing that you just saw on open house?

Jan 21, 2014 12:38 PM
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

We refer to them as "lurkers". They sneak in and out of our lives, scheming and dreaming about a house or investment property.  And sometimes when you least expect it, they resurface and make an offer.

Jan 21, 2014 01:14 PM
Alex Popovic
602 CRE - Phoenix, AZ
Alex Popovic Developer, Real Estate Broker

Ken,

Sometimes it seems as though anything you're doing for lead generation isn't working, remember, stay the course my friend, it will pass and I'd agree it's part of the New Year coma wake up 

Jan 21, 2014 06:32 PM
Ken Tracy
Coldwell Banker Residential - Naperville, IL
Helping clients buy and sell since 2005

Hi Alex! Eric, Ralph, Cathy, Carla, Tammid, Gene, Barbara, Joe, Aaron, Jill, Gina, John, Cheryl, Jesse, Erica, Karen, Rich, Mike, Geoff, Jason, Drick, Rob, Susan, Randy, A and C, Than, Michael, Andrew, Dan, and Richie.  Wow!!!

So many are experi ending the same thing!  Makes me feel better...

Thanks again everyone for all the supportive comments!!!

Ken

Jan 21, 2014 09:54 PM
Suzanne De Vita
RISMedia
Online Associate Editor

Ken,

Agreed! The Internet can be tricky – while it’s a great tool for marketing, it may yield some not-so-great prospects. If a virtual lead doesn’t reach out over the phone, chances are they may not be particularly motivated. (Do Internet Consumers Buy the Property They Called On?
)

Best of luck!

Jan 29, 2014 11:05 PM
Heather Fitzgerald
REALTY WORLD-Harbert Company, Inc. - Greenwood, IN
REALTOR Greenwood Indiana Real Estate

Ken, is it picking back up yet or still the same?

Feb 18, 2014 10:18 AM
Kaye Swain
Keller Williams Real Estate Roseville CA - Roseville, CA
Your Roseville Real Estate Agent

Very interesting and encouraging reading the article AND the comments. Thanks 

Nov 15, 2015 09:52 PM