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If You Text Message us to Schedule a Showing, Identify Yourself

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Madeline Island Realty 50317-90

If You Text Message us to Schedule a Showing, Please Identify Yourself

 

I realize that we have more than one MLS in the Apostle Islands area (a few real estate brokerages belong to NorthstarMLS, others to SAAR and still others to Northwest Wisconsin MLS).  Online services like ShowingTime or Book-a-Showing are rarely (if ever) used by real estate agents in this part of Wisconsin.  Cellular phone reception is poor to nonexistent around here and signal coverage is spotty at best. Most agents in this area appear to use pushbutton lockboxes or dial combination lockboxes, instead of electronic lockboxes.  Showings in our area are most often booked and confirmed by phone and email.  

At Madeline Island Realty in LaPointe, Wisconsin, we prefer email showing requests, as they are easily documented and a paper trail is easy to print and add to the file for each listing.  

It is a bit annoying to receive a text message that reads, "I would like to show your listing at xxx Main Street today at Noon".  I want to know who  is requesting the showing, their company/office name and a phone number so I can easily confirm that the showing request is legitimate.  Real estate listing brokers are charged with the responsibility of protecting our listing clients and their property.  

Once in awhile, I use this blog to subtly communicate with real estate colleagues, as well as clients and consumers.  It is a good way to send a reminder to area real estate agents without scolding or embarrassing someone.  All real estate agents need to be reminded now and then about best practices in our industry.

So I'm asking that fellow agents with other companies respect our listing clients and clearly identify themselves as real estate licensees. If you must schedule a showing by text message, please identify yourself and your company, and please also provide a phone number so we may confirm the showing easily.

 

 

If You Text Message us to Schedule a Showing, Please Identify Yourself

 

Comments (9)

Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Eric, I find it when clients text me from a different phone number that I have not seen it is equally frustrating...we are loosing manners not just in email, text and in general...how hard is it to identify one self? Endre

Sep 12, 2015 04:29 AM
Eric Kodner
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

Endre, I couldn't agree more. It would be considerate of a showing agent to take a few seconds and add their name/company or office/phone number to a text message.

Sep 12, 2015 04:31 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Eric, email showing requests makes perfect sense, and it is actually a very quick way to communicate. I noticed that I get a resposne within minutes when I send a showing request to another agent. It's just a matter of habit.

Sep 12, 2015 08:03 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Eric - I think it is necessary to identify yourself in a text. It is common to use our agent id, as well as our name, name of brokerage, and contact info, when texting a showing request.

It is funny, but when you call and leave a message, you may not even get a response anymore, but texting will usually get you a response within minutes.

Sep 13, 2015 12:19 PM
Maureen Fukumoto
Help-U-Sell Realty Pro - Mililani, HI
Maureen

In prefer text for showings because it is short and to the point. I can easily answer it when not in the office.

I have an App on my Samsung that backs up my tests automatically to my gmail so I always have a written record.  I use  "SMS Backup" but I am sure there are others.

I think clients assume we have their number programmed but there is no excuse for an agent to not identify themselves.

Oct 10, 2015 10:01 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

I like the one where it is a phone number I don't know and they identify themselves as Bill.

Oct 16, 2015 10:52 PM
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

Randy Prothero - Exactly. No last name and no brokerage name either.

Oct 17, 2015 08:27 AM
Anthony Saunchez
Campa Properties - San Bernardino, CA
How can we be of service

This happens to me often enough. I had to ask myself if I was guilty of the same transgression. I simply added a signature to my text to include my name , company and license number.

Oct 28, 2015 10:41 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Eric - I find that texts can be used but the problem is they are misused and in your example I would agree that an email paper trail is best.

Dec 04, 2015 11:38 PM