My tagline in real estate is “Treating every deal as delicately as a flower.”

It focuses on two things.

One, it reminds people that my name is a flower.

Two, it highlights that communication is important to me.

A REALTOR®’s job is a blend of business consulting and sales. They have to stay on top of the transaction and keep their client’s informed of everything in a timely manner.

With technology today, there is no excuse for REALTORS® not following up or being hard to get a hold of.

With my sellers, anytime there is a showing, I follow up in the next day or so with the REALTOR® to see what they thought of it as well as their buyer.

(I handle buyers and sellers and very few people make that extra follow up effort on showings.)

I find that follow up is key in a sales position because I need to know what buyers and their REALTORS® are seeing that we (myself and the sellers) might be missing.

If five people that come through think the property is overpriced, the seller and I need to know that. If four out of ten people think the grass looks poor, we can work on fixing that to get better feedback.

I had two of my associates run an open house on a Sunday for a listing I had on Pierce St.

The next day (Monday) a REALTOR® left me a message saying his buyers stopped by the open house and were interested.

I called him back within the hour and he explained that they were updating their financials and he should have an offer by the next day (Tuesday).

Tuesday came and went. That late afternoon I called and left him a message. He didn’t return my call.

Wednesday I called and got his voicemail again so I didn’t leave a message. He texted me…

HIM: At a showing how can I help u?

ME: Just following up to your buyer interest in 1221 Pierce

HIM: Yes they want to see again when not raining maybe later today? Got all financials in order yesterday

ME: I have to personally show so you need to let me know when.

HIM: Ok

(He doesn’t reach out again to schedule.)

We had another offer come in the next day. I tried calling him but got voicemail, so I texted.

ME: The other interested party just sent their offer in now. Are your clients going to be making an offer on 1221 pierce?

HIM: I will call

We spoke on the phone and scheduled me to show them at 10:45am the next day (Saturday).

His buyers got there before him and were quite pleasant. They explained they had been looking for a year and a half and had three homes that they were considering in the neighborhood. (With the REALTOR® being this uncommunicative, I can see why it has taken them so long to find something!)

The REALTOR® finally pulled up, within an inch of my car (almost hitting it) and saunters in.

Five hours later I called and left a voicemail. He texted.

HIM: At a sowing how ca I help u

ME: Following up on the Pierce showing today

HIM: They love the view and front rooms. Thinking about

ME: Ok thanks

Next day (Sunday):

ME: Any update on your buyers for Pierce?

HIM: Meeting w them tomoryw

ME: To discuss the three houses or to write an offer?

HIM: ? I wrote offer

ME: I never saw an offer from you? This is for Pierce

HIM: I send they gave not sent back signed

 

This was a week after the buyers had seen the house. You hear sad stories about how buyers missed out on a house. This is a good example why. I was doing my job as the listing agent following up on a possibly interested REALTOR® with a buyer. Yet this guy was so hard to get a hold of and was so bad at feedback. The property was listed in the low $600s so you think he would be a little more excited to make some money!

When shopping for a REALTOR®, communication is one of the biggest qualities you need to look for.