Answer Your Phone

[falgo]

This is about the most basic thing but it is shocking how few agents do it.

My wife and I have been shopping around for some out of state investment property. I've tried to contact over 10 agents in various cities and have received only 3 responses. I have called, sent emails, left messages. Are people so busy that they cannot return a phone call.

I sent a detailed email to one agent in Chattanooga outlining what I wanted in investment properties. Instead I got added to his email newsletter and he wants to help me relocate.

I know this is basic but...

Answer your phone
Return phone calls
Respond to emails
Answer peoples questions with appropriate information

I bet you'll find plenty of appreciative customers.

[Thesa]

shhhhhh do not let this secret out.... by actually reading my email and answering it properly, answering my phone and listening to the person on the other end... my business is soaring.... if you would like to consider real estate investments in Central Oregon.... try my email or phone number you will always have a quick response.

[sac23]

I would be glad to help you in KY. I am so surprised at the compliments I get from just responding to people through phone or email. I can't believe everyone just let people go and don't respond to them. Oh well.

[schockergd]

I agree quite a bit , a recent NAR statistic is stunning , about the average time to answer a phone call , or email. Personally , i try and make it a policy to never return a call more than 2 hours after i get it (and thats if i don't answer the phone.) Speedy call returns , and a good database system are absolute musts to be compeditive and be above the competetion. I'm a new agent and have all my email forwarded to my cell phone , and ONLY post my cell phone number where i have need of it. I've been in real estate only for a few months now ,and i feel i'm doing quite well.

Having said that , if you want properties in ohio , let me know :D

[amberstar702]

This is good advice for real estate agents but also for people in other businesses. It is common sense that if potential customers cannot reach you, your business will not increase.

When I leave a message, I am careful to speak clearly and slowly, spelling my last name and repeating my phone number to maximize the probability of a return phone call. ;)

[tina]

may be they have too much work to make new clients. But of course they loose potential clients in the bargain

[tarheit]

You would be surprised how many leads we get because other agents don't return phone calls promptly (if at all). Even ran into one agent that admitted she didn't know how to check her company voice mail, and this from the largest firm in the area who's policy is to forward incoming calls to voice mail (rather than to the cell phone).

Then you get those potential clients who just can't figure it out either... 'We called about your property because our agent just won't return our calls, we'll look at the property with you, but we want to write any offers with our agent'. Guess who this client will be calling if they have any problems with their contract?

-Tim

[amberstar702]

Can't understand why ANYONE would do business with agents who do not call them back in a timely manner. That is obviously an indication of how this agent works in all aspects of his business. Real estate is too competitive - especially now - for a potential buyer or seller to tolerate such behavior. It's rude and there is no excuse.

We are often "very busy" but I will always take a few minutes to respond to questions about a new project. And if a problem comes up where our work is delayed, I always stay in touch with the client and tell him so. Good customer service/communication is crucial to the success of any business. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction which includes good communication! :)

[tarheit]

I have no idea either. Actually have run into a few buyers who were actually instructed by their agent to call the listing agent when they want to look at a house, and when they find one, then call to write up the contract. I actually can picture some agents being that lazy, but I don't know why their clients put up with it.

-Tim

[amberstar702]

We use speed of response as a screening process for any type of business interaction like home repair projects, etc. where we can immediately see the attitude of the owner toward his customers. If the initial attitude, before you are a customer, is not a good one, you can be assured it is NOT going to get any better because that is the phase when the owner should be very responsive in order to show you why you should do business with him. ;)

[Codythebest]

This is about the most basic thing but it is shocking how few agents do it.

My wife and I have been shopping around for some out of state investment property. I've tried to contact over 10 agents in various cities and have received only 3 responses. I have called, sent emails, left messages. Are people so busy that they cannot return a phone call.

I sent a detailed email to one agent in Chattanooga outlining what I wanted in investment properties. Instead I got added to his email newsletter and he wants to help me relocate.

I know this is basic but...

Answer your phone
Return phone calls
Respond to emails
Answer peoples questions with appropriate information

I bet you'll find plenty of appreciative customers.

This is one of the reasons why I passed my licenses.
Few agents answer their phone in a timel manner. And I put that in my marketing plan!!!