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When do Cell phones and Real Estate not mix?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Godzyk Real Estate Services NH License 033394

One of the most important tools of a Realtor can be their IPhone 11. However phones and Real Estate do not always mix. How can that be you may be asking? Well, let me tell you a story. 

 

I recently listed a great Manchester NH area home. I had 9 showings scheduled the first 2 days. The home was put under contract quickly. My seller was very happy.

 

Then the problem started. It was not with my seller. It was not with the home. As I was attending the home inspection, the buyer agent accompanied their buyer. However the agent did not raise her eyes from the phone for at least the first hour. She seemingly ignored her buyers questions. But the inspector answered the first 2 and I answered the last 2. 

 

We finished up the inspection. The home was in great condition and the inspector did not have any concerns. The buyer signed the paper work and gave the inspector a check. As we were ready to leave, the buyer agent looked up from her phone and demanded a full accounting of everything she had a concern with. The buyer looked at the agent and looked to the inspector. The inspector looked at the buyer agent and then at the buyer, They all turned and looked at me. The buyer agent demanded no one leave until she gets an update. We the 4 people in the room who paid attention, were now held hostage by the one person on her phone that didnt seem to care the last hour. 

 

The buyer turns to the agent and let her have it per say. They are young. This is their first home and she did nothing to help them they said. They fired her on the spot. Later the managing broker of this mega office called me to find out what happened. They would appoint another agent to help them. Late in the week the buyer called to voice their frustration over that too. 

 

THE BOTTOM LINE is the buyer through their choice of mega agents was let down.  Not once but twice. They will close as I was paying attention and again, makes my seller happy.

 

 

The MOST IMPORTANT message I can share is that all agents are not created equal. The choice of an agent does matter. Hire the agent that will work for you through each step of the buying or selling process. 

 

I now share with every consumer that my philosophy is simple, provide more personal and professional service to guide my clients through each step of the buying or selling process. All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest. Those that hire me, find a dedication like no other.

 

To CONTACT Scott Godzyk please call 603.661.2121 or EMAIL: Sctprop@aol.com .

 

About the Author: Scott Godzyk is the Owner/Broker of the Godzyk Real Estate Services in Manchester NH. Proud to be locally owned and operated with 32 years of experience, Scott is a leading Agent for Listing and Selling Homes in this area.We are Full Time Agents ready to serve all of your Real Estate needs. Servicing Hillsborough, Rockingham, Merrimack and Belknap counties. 

 

    

Comments(12)

Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good mornign Scott. Big agent or small agent, you need to pay attention. Nuff said. Enjoy your day!

Jan 30, 2020 05:14 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Good for the buyers for taking action regarding the first agent. Some buyers probably would have felt stuck.

Paying attention to what is going on during an inspection is a "must" if we want to know how to advise our clients afterwards.

Jan 30, 2020 05:15 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Exactly Wayne Martin , it is a must

Jan 30, 2020 05:15 AM
Bob Jakowinicz
National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI
Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

Impressed that the buyers fired the agent on the spot, don't hear about that happening all that often (even with bad service).  We can't always control the transaction but we can control how we act during, prior and after it.

Jan 30, 2020 05:21 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Scott... my important telephone tool is not an iPhone... it's a Galaxy 10+. :) Seriously, the mind boggles at a story like this. Good for those buyers to act quickly.

Jan 30, 2020 05:45 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Personal service to make extra step pays in service oriented industry. Well said. There are those DIY looking for a Supra door opener since they do not listen to anyone.

Jan 30, 2020 05:48 AM
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

OMG. Height of rudeness, failure to exercise CARE, entitlement and being an a-hole on top of it? YER FIRED! 

The ONLY time my phone comes out is if I am showing a client something on it!

Otherwise it's in the console of the truck or in my purse.

NOW, having said that . . . you mentioned the buyers were young. I SUSPECT that they were FINE with the agent's phone addiction when they were involved in it directly. Surprise!

Good lesson for all.

FEATURED IN BARTENDER MAKE IT A DOUBLE

because F dat, that's why

Jan 30, 2020 07:16 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Scott, We actually wrote about a similar situation with a "mega" agent. He didn't look up from his phone and we had to answer all the questions. When we asked the buyer to discuss these issues with her agent, she said "he's too important to ask him about my little concerns"!

Jan 30, 2020 07:33 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I have seen phones as an addiction and distraction everywhere. I have worked to reduce its usage and to stay present when it is important.

Jan 30, 2020 08:32 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Scott, for sharing this sad story.

A pocket is a good place for the cell phone during a home inspection.

Jan 30, 2020 09:42 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Oh my gosh, Scott- That was beyond rude. I had that happen once when I'd invited an agent to the consultation. This was years ago and she'd never used a home stager. She was on her phone the whole time as I walked through the house with the seller. She followed us but paid no attention.  When we were done, she didn't even say a word. Not a single question, nothing. 

Jan 30, 2020 11:59 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I once went on a listing appointment, where the seller complained about another agent who they had interviewed, who wouldn't stay off the phone long enough to have a cohesive conversation with them.  They moved on to me!

Jan 30, 2020 01:21 PM