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Answer Me, Please!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with CastNet Realty TREC#263257

Real estate agents are some of the busiest people in the world! 

Realtor logo We study regularly, take classes, go to meetings, make prospective phone calls, meet people, network, write letters and advertising, attend community functions, promote ourselves, and show listings and write and negotiate contracts.  The list of daily duties for any agent can be overwhelming.

Yes, we are a busy group of people.  Have you ever heard the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?

It is true and today I want to share this thought with you.  How many times do you send a text to another agent and it is never acknowledged?  Most of the time when this happens, it is no big deal.  We assume the other agent received the text.  However, there are those times when that assumption is wrong.

A missed communication can be detrimental in this business.  It can mean losing a contract in a matter of minutes.  When you work so hard, you want those showings to count.  The home your client is considering is available one minute and not the next.

How many times have I texted again to make sure my text was received.  Numerous times is not right.  Courtesy is replying always.  Even when it seems unimportant to reply, at least, send an emoticon.  It just lets the other person know the text was received and there is nothing left to say. :) 

It takes very little time to text.  Courteous agents are the ones everyone wants to work with.  You are building your reputation, so make it a good one!

 

Ricki McCallum                                    CastNet Realty                     361-944-2051

 

Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

With technology always at our fingertips, it seems absurd that someone can't answer the call or reply with a few words via text. It's really not a matter of being too busy. It's lack of common courtesy in most cases.

Jun 27, 2018 02:38 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Mott Marvin Kornicki, you are right.  It is a lack of courtesy but sometimes, that backfires on them when they lose a deal.:(

Jun 27, 2018 04:22 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Ricki Eichler McCallum,

You are so right..courteous agents are who you want to work with. Those that can respond and actually communicate!!

Jun 27, 2018 05:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ricki- it just takes a thumbs up or received it, will get back with you to let someone know. 

Jun 27, 2018 06:00 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Dorie Dillard,  Isn't it nice to work with an agent that communicates well?  It makes everything so much better.

Jun 27, 2018 06:05 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Yes Kathy Streib, it is not that hard to let someone know you received a communication. :)

Jun 27, 2018 06:07 PM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Hi Ricki, it really takes such little time in our day to text, reply, answer, be respectful.  And it is highly recognized when an agent shows responsibility in this manner.  I love working with agents who understand the importance of replying and replying quickly...in a flash!  Doesn't have to be a long reply either....

Jun 27, 2018 10:55 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and your advice.

Personally, I prefer email rather than text messages.

Jun 28, 2018 05:13 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Jane Chaulklin-Schott,  I love working with agents that answer quickly and I try hard to accomodate them and do multiple deals with them.

Jun 28, 2018 10:17 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Roy,  I also prefer email to texts but in Corpus Christi texts is how we communicate most of the time until we get into contracts.

Jun 28, 2018 10:19 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Ricki,

 Nothing wrong with a follow up text there are times I do not see the text because I was gone or the phone rang etc. Good to follow up if there is no response.

Jun 28, 2018 02:33 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Hi Yolanda,  Always good to follow up

Jun 29, 2018 07:20 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

I know what you mean!   Sometimes you have to be really persisitent, and it shouldn't have to be that way.

Jun 29, 2018 08:54 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Right Georgie, It should not be that way!

Jun 30, 2018 11:11 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Ricki, this is such a sad situation and it is getting worse every since technology has gotten better... it is not just our profession it is becoming a national problem including in other fields as well.....Endre

Jul 15, 2018 08:48 PM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Yes, Endre, you are right.  It is happening in lots of other professions as well.  Sad!

Jul 16, 2018 02:44 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

 

A phone call, a text or an email can be the difference in getting a property under contract or missing out. Recentlly in the middle of competing contracts...asked one of the BAs  to contact me. He didn't. His buyer lost the opportunity. 

Aug 16, 2018 07:01 PM