In today’s world of technology, the personal touch has been overlooked. Real estate still requires that personal touch, personal communication. Though corporations have taken hold in the market with advertising, and overwhelmingly more revenue to pursue Sellers and Buyers, they lack that personal touch. It’s like shopping on Amazon, you look for it, you see it, you buy it. They do not offer that personal touch like you can. Only when there is a problem is there an attempt for human interaction is too often the norm. It has been months since many people have had that personal contact, we were all used to communicate better before. Many people today are craving personal contact again. Some have forgotten the importance of human contact. Texting has a purpose but lacks that personal interaction a phone call can provide. Not to mention, texting opens the door for miscommunication. Text messages lack voice inflection, immediate exchange of communication, and insuring understanding.
In certain levels of real estate, it is near insulting to text. In a market where the average sales price is $328,000 for a $165,000 Listing to text and request a showing may be acceptable, but for showing a $1,650,000 Listing it is better to pick up the phone and call. If the Listing Agent is unable to answer, a voice message followed up with a text that a voice message had been left would be appropriate. By all means, identifying yourself in the text message. Assuming the recipient knows who you are is a risk. The Listing Agent doesn’t know if the sender is a fellow Agent, a Buyer, or a scammer. How many times have you received a text and wondered, “who is this?”
After showing a home a follow up text is a good idea if you are unable to call or need to communicate quickly. “Hi So and So, my clients really liked the house. It is in the top three of the homes they like. I will let you know later tonight if it made the cut. Douglas Trudeau, Tierra Antigua Realty” or “Hi So and So, the floor plan just did not work for my clients. They will continue looking. I appreciate being able to show your Listening, thank you. Douglas Trudeau, Tierra Antigua Realty” or “Hi So and So, I my clients have instructed me to write an offer. How much time does the Seller need to respond? I will confirm with you later. Douglas Trudeau, Tierra Antigua Realty” If there is no immediate response to an email once an offer is sent, calling and speaking to the Listing Agent or leaving a voice message helps to ensure their awareness. Imagine yourself as the Listing Agent. How many times have your listing been shown by a phantom Agent never to be heard from again? Or, you have no clue an offer, it goes to spam mail and now Seller’s time to respond has expired? With the Buying Agent not following up to let you know thinking the worst. Communication is not communication until it is confirmed. The advantage of speaking to the other person is you know they received the message.
What is the purpose of the communication? Is there a need for exchanging thoughts and needs? Is there need for clarification? Is it possible for the message to be misunderstood? These are questions we should ask ourselves when deciding to text, call or both. If there is need to track communication for future contractual purposes an email is an ideal means of follow up. One disadvantage of speaking to the other person is there is no legal record unless you routinely make note of conversations. A follow up email is always a good idea to track communication.
Courtesy in communicating is essential. How one communicates today will impact on future communications. A rude or blunt communication today may inhibit communication for a future client and place them at a disadvantage. There are some Agents who when I see their name pop up on my phone or in an email, I am glad because of past positive communication and interaction. There are those whom I think oh no as well or whom I am skeptical because of bad communication or interaction. We’ve all been there. What we do today will inevitably impact on tomorrow.
The same goes when communicating with clients and potential clients. Is that email or text too impersonal? Would it be better to pick up the phone and call? One incident that I know is best immediately communicated by phone or in person is that message of bad news. Communicating bad news quickly is beneficial, delaying can complicate things and make matters worse than they need to be. A verbal conversation can promote action, ease concerns, prevent unnecessary stress or prevent further complications. Examples being; the market is showing signs of change that may hurt the sale of your home and now is a good time to take action, the Buyer’s loan didn’t go through, the Seller hasn’t responded to the inspection notice on time, an issues arose that may cause a delay. So, before that text, before that phone call, before that email, ask yourself is this the best communication for the intent and current circumstance? Offer what corporations cannot, offer that personal touch.
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