Hello all you activerain Realtors® out there:
Given a rather frustrating weekend, I thought I would share my thoughts with you and see if its just me, or whether any of my fellow members are having a problem like mine.
Now, I want to start by saying that I don't for a minute believe any of my fellow members are part of the problem, I just want to get some sympathy I guess.
Anyway, let me set up the scene:
- Living in the great Northeast Florida region, with 360 days/year of sunshine, I must say I should be more laid back than I am. But, I have a client in from New York, they are not laid back, and I am searching for some property... both residential and commercial.... For this particular client.
- I have spent a couple days with them making sure I have a very good idea of what they are looking for, and done my ‘SEARCH' for those few properties which might satisfy their needs.
- I now have a ‘FEW' choices that they agree might really be good, so lets go take a look.
OK, first problem, I need more information, how much, how large, any restrictions, dry, wet, availability, etc. And of course, I need to get this information from the listing agent.... Right?
- Second problem, I call the listing agents, just like the listing agent has directed me to do, and of course leave a message.
- Then, I call again, and leave a message.... hey, the client is leaving tomorrow to go back to New York, and want so see what's available.
- Then I call the broker, and leave a message... sorry to bother you, but can't seem to be able to reach the agent.
- Then I call the broker, and the agent again, and leave a message.... Hey, anybody there, you guys go out of business, property still on the market........?
Ok, I admit that sometimes, I actually get an agent or the broker, or someone, who runs down the information..... but unfortunately, in many cases (especially this last week) I end up spending my time just trying to contact someone who is interested enough to answer a few simple questions and set up an time for a showing.
So, what happens? Well, my client goes back to New York, I don't yet have any answers.... Of course now its Tuesday, and I finally get one in three agents who call and ask what I want (notwithstanding the fact that I have left everyone who has an answering machine or someone who answered the phone messages explaining exactly what the situation is and what I need). Interestingly, most of them seem like they think I should have somehow tried harder to get their attention since now, forget about selling the property, I'm not even showing it.
Prabably, everyone is so busy complaining that the market is lousy, no one is calling or buying property, there's too many people in the real estate market, etc, etc, etc, that they don't have time to talk to me about actually selling something. Oh well, I warned you I should be laid back.
So, I'd love to hear from my fellow members to see if they perhaps have some advise for me (I already got the be more laid back advise) on how I might better cope with this "lousy attitude of mine".
Regards,
Jerry Calvin
Jerry-
Unfortunately, I know exactly how you feel! This happens altogether too darn often. While our buyers suffer it's the seller who enlisted the help of agent x, y or z that really gets hurt. Keep an eye on the listings and call them when it expireds. They need to know what their agent IS NOT doing for them. That's my method, it get's me listings and more importantly keeps me sane! :)
Have a great day Jerry!
Write it, write it.
Don't lose momentum. Find the house and write it. Write as many inspection, information contingencies as you need to answer the questions, but write it.
That's the only thing that keeps the ball rolling. Write with contingencies. Write with feasibility periods. Write with approvals of minimum performances, etc.
Write it.