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I'm not a lead...I'm a person

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams Realty

Stumbled across this video today and found it a really interesting commentary on working with clients on the web.  You can view it at the 1000 watt blog.

Interested to hear your thoughts on this video and what solutions we can find to address a very real problem.

Providing a "service" to the consumer is not the difficult part of a career in real estate. Sorting the "wheat from the chaff" is where most agents experience problems.

It's interesting, the most significant stumbling block many agents have in this business is also the greatest source of frustration for consumers.

On one hand we have the Consumers who would like to stay anonymous and use the services of agents for free until they are ready to make a choice on their own.

On the other we have Agents who are happy to provide free info (many times at their own financial peril), but would like to qualify each consumer so that they can direct their "service" to those that are ready and willing to accept it.

The problem?   The very reason consumers want to remain anonymous is so they don't have to be "qualified" by agents.  They want the power to choose which agent they want to work with, not the other way around.  It can be a viscous circle that ends in frustration for both parties.

This disconnect is a large part of why agents and brokers are viewed negatively by some in the public.

Seems like agents and consumers have a mutual problem.  What's your solution?

Finding the common middle ground is the key to building successful relationships with customers on the web.

Posted by

Brett Tousley

Realtor/Designated Broker

NW Home Brokers LLC

509-420-0013

www.TriCitiesLiving.com

 

 

 

Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Brett~ The key is having the agent and the consumer BOTH view each other as a "person" and both bringing value to the situation!

Oct 20, 2008 05:28 AM
Ed Cheek
Cheek One Properties, LLC - New Orleans, LA

Brett, this out to go over like a lead ballon in the rain!

You are going to get bombarded with compliments and words like, "I can't believe how other agents treat their clients so badly!"

Then when you read comments from those comments, you find out that "almost" every agent in here feels like it is all about them!  One guy even has a picture of his car on his profile, some kind of foriegn car with a peace sign for a hood ornament, you know it's all about him and his car.

Anyway, I liked the video and I wish I could say that I was different, however I have to be honest.... It is all about me, and you are a stinkin lead or a contact....until you write me a check!  LOL

(Badges?  We don't need no stinkin badges!)  ~ Blazing Saddles

Oct 20, 2008 05:35 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

I don't get too aggressive up front. I try to "be there" and it seems to work out.

Oct 20, 2008 05:36 AM
Sonja Patterson
Keller Williams - BV - College Station, TX
Texas Monthly 5-Star Realtor Recipient for the Hou

Interesting video, Brett.  I especially like the part, "THIS IS ALL ABOUT ME. THIS IS ALL ABOUT ME. THIS IS ALL ABOUT ME. THIS IS ALL ABOUT ME."  Reminds me of a potential buyer that asked to see one of my vacant listings the other day.  It was close to my home, so I did not mind. As she spent a LOT of time walking around the home, taking lots of pictures, she asked me, "So, how soon do they want to sell??" 

Hmmm...ok this is a VACANT property. It is move-in ready.  As I was scratching my head, she further explained...we have a lease that isn't up for a while.  We probably don't want anything before April."(I must have revealed my "you've got to be kidding look"...b/c she quickly added "unless, the price is right...")  Thankfully, the home SOLD just a few weeks after. :)  I love a happy ending.

 

Oct 20, 2008 05:36 AM
Chad Yates
A2S Smart Choice - Florence, SC
Realtor CEO, Assist2Sell Smart Choice Realty

In my dealing with web clients I first choose to give them just enough info to bring them back with out trying to selling them on anything.This method allows me to create a web-friendship with them and after talking via mail 2-3 time I will ask them for there #'s if they refuse, then I'll move them out of the way and make room for someone else until they are ready to commit.

Oct 20, 2008 05:37 AM
Brett Tousley
Keller Williams Realty - Richland, WA
Tri Cities Real Estate | (509) 420-0013

Vickie - Agreed, BUT ,many folks view us as free information resources and not much else.  Building a mutually beneficial relationship via the veb can be a difficult task.  That common middle ground is what I'm searching for, how do we get there?

Ever received the "Dear Realtor" email?  It starts off like this. "thank you so much for your help, but we don't need to receive listings anymore we just bought a house!" 

Ed - You remind me an awful lot of a guy I used to see around the web named Louis.  You could be his twin! :^)

Chuck - What's aggressive follow up to you?  Do you call them or are you content to work via email?

Sonja - Stories like yours are exactly why we agents and brokers want to qualify folks.  And that is why many buyers will not call us.  I view the problem as a lack of education about how real estate works.  I truly believe that many buyers don't even know they are spending our time and money unwisely.  Glad your story had a happy ending!

Home Realty - Always interested in what is working for others.  We require a phone number mainly to keep the lead volume manageable and the quality up.  By not chasing our tails dealing with the likes of "Donald Duck" and "Mickey Mouse" we've found we can spend more time with those that want and need our service. 

Oct 20, 2008 07:11 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Generally, regardless of what industry I might have been working in, I have certain things that are available for free. Those things either were set up by me as part of my initial capital investment where the money was spent to do them, or they simply require no significant amount of time on my part. Time is all I have to sell, so if someone wants too much of it, I'll be happy to provide it as soon as you read, initial, and sign this contract here. Upon signing, you'll have my undivided attention whenever you want it.

Nov 30, 2008 07:20 PM