The world is in a hurry. We have a lot to do and little time to do it all. Consequently, we have found ways to make ourselves more efficient. Where we would once write letters, we send emails. Where we would once go shopping, we order online. Where we once would call, we send a text. It often makes sense. After all, you can send an email in a matter of minutes. No stamps, no trips to the mailbox, no wasted paper. Today you can be eating dinner and answer a text at the same time.
But there often is a trade-off between efficiency and execution. The other day I was showing homes to a new buyer. I had taken the time to set up appointments. I mapped out the showings in order so that I wouldn’t have to drive back and forth across town. I sandwiched the vacant homes in between the occupied ones so that it would be easier to keep on schedule without inconveniencing the owners of the occupied homes. To make all this wonderful magic occur we used a system called Showingtime. Showingtime makes it easy to contact the listing agent, helps organize your showings in precise increments and updates as you go.
Just when I thought I had everything arranged I received a notice from one agent that the scheduled time for my showing would not work for their seller. She suggested an alternate time. But the alternate time wasn’t going to work for us, so I countered with another option. Unfortunately, that hour was no good as well.
Rather than keeping the game of tag going I called the agent. I think she was genuinely surprised to hear my voice. I informed her that “I just thought I would call, rather than using Showingtime.”
We had a friendly conversation. We were able to adjust our schedules so we could accommodate both the buyer and the seller. In addition, I had a chance to speak one-on-one with a human and get some additional information about the house. My buyer did not choose to offer on this home, but if they had I feel we would have had a good start on a friendly negotiation.
It may not be as efficient, but sometimes it is better to make that human contact. If nothing else, I had a chance to make a new friend.
Joe Domino is a Realtor® serving the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Need more information? Or to Search for your next home, visit www.Scottsdale-AZHomes.com
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