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LACK OF COMMUNICATING... FROM EVERYONE... WHY???

By
Real Estate Agent with Johnson Real Estate, Inc. RES.0761759

Real Estate is a business of communicating, plain and simple.  This is how we promote ourselves.  We meet people, who can potentially be our clients, we speak with them as well as to let them know how we can make this process a smooth transaction for them.  We have meetings, schedule appointments, training classes, etc.  All of these require communication.  So, my question is why is there a lack of it?  I did a blog on this back in May "No Call?  What Happend to Realtor's communicating?" Now I am seeing it from the other end with customers and clients.

There is no guarantee with this job. I've know that for years, as a matter of fact on the first day I started in real estate.  Now I am seeing more and more from the customer a lack of common courtesy when it comes to returning phone calls.  I'm not even getting text messages.

When someone calls me about wanting to buy a home or if someone walks into the office, I try to be as helpful as I can. I inform them of the basic steps to buying a home.  It usually starts with me letting them know they need to talk with a mortgage consultant, if they haven't already, so they can see what their buying power is.  I try to find out what they are looking for in a home, and let them know what is available.  Also that a buyer agency agreement will need to be signed by them before I will show them property, and that this agreement is basically them giving me permission to show them property.  Along with all the other steps, but being realtors you already know these.

I've made calls on their behalf (yes this is my job) and have tried to put them in touch with people who can help them.  They by now means have to use anyone I refer them to. It is just a starting ground, which I explain to them.

So what I would like to know is why after hours of working with potential clients, giving them recommendations, calling them and helping them out to get started, they don't have the decency to return my calls?  I return theirs.  Is it too much to ask for the same in return? 

Yes, they can use another realtor.  Yes, they can change their mind and not want to buy at the moment.  You call and leave a message wanting to know where things stand, and how you can assist them further to help them find their next home, they DO NOT CALL YOU BACK.  I think is very rude and unprofessional.  Is this happening with other realtors too, I am wondering, which is why I am blogging about this today.

I will now get down off my soapbox... thank you for listening.

valerie osterhoudt

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

Copyright © 2008 By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR, All Rights Reserved...*LACK OF COMMUNICATING... FROM EVERYONE... WHY???*

Posted by

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR
(Accredited Buyers Representative)

Is a Full Time Realtor® with with Johnson Real Estate, in Cromwell, CT who specializes in Homes and Condos For Sale in the Middlesex and Hartford Counties in CT.

VALERIE OSTERHOUDT REALTOR IN CROMWELL CT

valerie osterhoudt

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR ~Johnson Real Estate, Inc.
cell:  860.883.8889

email: Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR

website: www.CTrealtorMLS.com

 

Comments (9)

Hope Goss
Ventura Property Shoppe - Ventura, CA
Ventura Real Estate

Yes, it's happening to others too.  I don't know what all the reasoning is - maybe just avoiding a sales call.  However, I think all of us have communication overload these days.  We are so wired with texting, email, cell phones, etc that we just want to retreat to our cave, at times.

Jun 06, 2008 01:39 AM
Jerry Santerelli
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Plainfield, IL

Other than get them in touch with a loan officer, I do nothing for a buyer until they sign a buyer agreement to work exclusively with me.  Before I commit, they must commit to me.  Every now and then I'll break from this rule and I always get burned. Never again.

Jun 06, 2008 02:00 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

Yes, I believe it happens to all of us.  I think people just want to avoid telling us "no".  That doesn't make it right, but that might be their reasoning...

Jun 06, 2008 05:13 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie, happens to me more times than I would like with Borrowers.  I get them qualified, and even send out Pre-Approval Letters on their behalf, and then no return phone call until they need something again. 

Valerie I that you and I always return everyone's phone calls as soon as we get them, it would be nice if eveyone else did the same.

Jun 06, 2008 06:05 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Hope.. I don't understand their reasoning either.  If they are sure with their decision (if they are planning on using another realtor) why would they be embarrassed to call?  Guilt?

Jun 06, 2008 06:19 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Jerry, Maybe I should take more of your approach with prospective clients.  I TRULY don't think buyers/sellers know how MUCH WORK we do behind the scenes.

Jun 06, 2008 06:20 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Debi, I'm sure this has happened to anyone that is in sales, but it still doesn't make it right.  How long does a call take... 3 minutes???

Jun 06, 2008 06:23 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

George, this particular client I'm talking about is one you know... the ones from Florida.  Need I say more?

Jun 06, 2008 06:24 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Valerie nope you do not have to say anything else, I get the whole picture :)

Jun 06, 2008 07:40 AM