365 Tips To Becoming A Successful Realtor®
Tip #94 - Answer The Phone!
This should be one of those posts that never needs to be written, but it isn't. If you suffer from telephobia, then you should probably choose a new profession. Like it or not, as a Realtor, you will be spending a huge amount of time on the telephone.
There are two times when answering your phone is critical.
1 - Whenever potential clients are calling. I pick up new clients all the time who start the conversation by telling me that I am the first agent who actually answered the phone. I always ask them how many agents they had tried to call and I am not surprised anymore to hear numbers like 5 or 6! I picked up 3 prospective clients on the day after Thanksgiving last year and helped 2 of them buy new homes before the end of the year. I sure am glad that I answered the phones that day!
2 - When other agents are calling on your listing. Generally speaking, your business phone is ringing because there is some kind of business on the other end. Realtors don't like to waste time by calling other realtors to chat. If they are calling, it is because they are trying to do business with you. Answering the phone is the best way to get that deal. I am amazed at how many agents don't answer their phones and don't return calls within 24, 48, or even 72 hours! Really? Unless the home is something really special, I have moved my clients on to something else.
Mark Hall
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Hi Mark, yes, I'm surprised sometimes by how many messages I leave for realtors I'm trying to do business with as well! Sometimes I understand we can get bogged down by calls that don't require our immediate attention, but we should do our best to pick up the phone when we can - you never know who's on the line!
I think that sometimes realtors feel that if they answer the phone it will appear as if they are not busy and they won't look as good in a client's or other agent's eyes. Stupid decision in my opinion.
Marcy - I didn't consider that angle. Not the smartest strategy.
I have had some effusive replies from buyers who are greatful that I returned their call promptly... I am not sure what other Salespeople are doing out there, but this is our job...
Back before we got into real estate ourselves, that is how we found the agent who sold us a half-million dollar property - he was the sixth agent we called that Sunday and the only one who answered his phone. Smart man.