I read a post this morning and read through the wonderful comment stream. I picked up on a comment from Neal Bloom-Realtor ®CRS-Weston FL Real Estate (Keller Williams Properties, Weston FL) who said, "I'm a people person..that's just how I am...my clients have told me that they would rather talk to a live person sometimes. As far as agents go..it all depends on the listing. I say if it works for you then you do it the way is best for you".
And that's IS the beauty of our business. Whatever works for you or me is how we will conduct our business. The one thing about our business is that we attract like kind people who will be best fit to make the business relationship work. If you just want a business type relationship that is what you'll get. If you are a people person and insert a bit of ‘self' into the ‘relationship' then you will receive the benefits of both worlds.
- One agent refuses to pick up their phone and it goes to their office voicemail. They have an assistant that will return the call and they have a service that you can make appointments with. Is it giving the impression they are too busy and can't give the attention the client deserves?
- Another will take all calls, return texts and emails if they are not with a client (or busy doing family time) and will return it promptly when they're free. It's the right thing to do to give full attention to the client, right?
- Yet another agent will answer, return texts and emails no matter what. They stop in the middle of the street to do so. It's the way this world of technology has conditioned many who want to keep up with the times. Is it showing the client (or peer, or friend or family) that the conversation they're having with you is not important?
I have had clients ignore me and answer their text messages. I have had clients who refuse to email. I have had clients who are the most pleasant, eager to work as a team and bring me into their family as a friend.
We open our minds to all possibilities.
Are you a people person Realtor®?
I too will say, "Whatever works for you".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is what works for me......
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
BTW: We attract those like kind people through our blogging as well. All words are read and linger on the internet....your comments linger too. What kind of clients are you attracting through your written word?
Celeste, I love that all different types of people enter the world of real estate. It "makes the world turn." I too am a people person with boundaries. I've learned to turn off the phone to spend time with people i love.
Kristal: I'm not into stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to answer text messages but I do wear a wireless earpiece and answer in the grocery store :) One thing is for certain...I've had to turn off my phone when i go in the theater lol
Sally,
Thanks for the mention. Like I said...my clients or even potential prospects tell me that they called me because they prefer not to talk to a robot. And the fact that I'm pretty accessible most times and respond quick..most seem to like that. I'm sure there are others who would prefer not to talk to a live person. As far as the agents go...even if an agent writes a "FAQ" most do not read carefully but sometimes you need to speak to the agent directly. There are so many times when I have to get through a secretary or an assistant who might claim to answer all the questions...but it seems they always tell me they have to find out the answer anyway. I just had an assistant who basically was handling an offer on the listing side. The deal didn't work out because the buyer backed out in writting due to the properties poor condition. It was an REO...about a week ago I get a call from the escrow agent asking if we were ready to close. I thought it was odd that they didn't know that we sent in a withdrawal 1 day after the inspection...yet the listing agents office apparently never told the escrow agent we canceled the contract. It just goes to show you that sometimes the agent needs to get involved.
Sally, I still find it rude when people interrupt an in-person meeting to answer a message/call from someone who is not there with them. Can't it wait 5 minutes? I'm also not fond of people texting and talking as they walk SLOWLY across a busy intersection.
Hey Neal...Worthy of a mention...and then jotting my thoughts down :) I've found that many of my clients are happy with the fact that the person who said they are going to represent them......DO.
Maria: GRRRR I so hate that! Or how's about a car in front at a red light and doesn't get going when it turns green because they have to finish the text? It's still happening here even though we have a law to not text and drive!!
Sally - love that costume! So this is the new Sally from Hawaii, in the Roman outfit, eh? Go get 'em girl!
I think the point is not entirely coming across the way we want it. Of course if I'm with a client...I would let my phone ring or even put it on vibrate and then call them back. I think that you have to interact with the other agent and of course the consumer when it's important. If other people run their business another way then that's their problem. Again ...I'll say that most people want to hear from their agent at some point...I'm gonna write a post very soon that talks about this.
When we are in Rome we need to do what the Romans do. I do not interrupt to take a call when I am on the phone or with a client. HOWEVER if I am showing homes and my clients are pre-occupied I will answer a text or check emails.
Neal: And that's exactly how I feel. There's a time and place for everything and if they don't want to take care of their client then ...it is their problem...or not. Some don't believe it's a problem to push the client on another person and act like they're taking care of the client. I'll watch for your post.
Renee: We all do what best suits our needs/business. I'm sure you've read quite a few posts on the subject of answering phones....or not. I don't anwer while with other clients...I do return calls...I don't have them talk to an assistant or make appts with an answering service....and I still handle my own clients. Bottom line, whatever works for each....but this is how I do it for me :) :)
Sally, I liked your post. Ultimately, we must be love to work with people not differentiating with how they come to us. Connect with the people on their level and it works :)! Have a great day!!
Most people really do not like it when you as an agent answer a call during a meeting, and do not always answer right away when they call ..... T he personal touch always works when you pay full attention to the client you are with.