Okay, this is really telling and I realize I'm veering a little off course. We are in a world of freaking text messages which as a broker and unapologetic tapehead I love, but I'm not entrusting my most valuable asset to a stranger. I think people need to first humanize the agent to develop trust. In CRE, it's almost a benefit that this sector of the industry is always a little old fashioned. We talk on the phone and meet belly-to-belly. Once comfortable with each other, fine . . . but at the beginning, too much is at stake.

You lost me at "NAR" .... 

Well, NAR gathers this information from interviews with buyers and sellers out there in the market place.  Will have to agree...

With my previous clients (those who bought the home from me), they do go with the first person (and only one) they talk to - me!

I have been referred to new sellers and been the last one interviewed as they have several friends recommending an agent...and I've landed those listings.

As for buyers, I tend to agree somewhat. However, I got several new buyers this year because their first agents let them down. They reached out to others who had recently bought and landed in my lap. 

So, from personal experience, NAR's numbers don't jive!

I would say it is probably true with my observations. I just had a past sellers sister 'think' that she had to interview many people & then decided that was a total waste of her time. She also contacted some of those 'buy your house' cash people besides 1 other realtor. They made her very uncomfortable but she did not say what prices they offered or services. My past client has health issues & is in rehab. Thought a quick sell might be possible.

we are oftent he first agents in to give a listing presentation, and we get 95% of those listings.... 

Disagree. They could only come to that conclusion based on some type of survey. How many sellers and buyers did they survey to come up with those %s?

I have heard this statistic for years and find it accurate with our internet lead conversion.  If we get to them quick, we are more likely to end up in a conversation which leads to being able to do something for the lead which ends up in loyalty to us.

I would believe that and it reminds me why I try to instruct my SOI to give me referrals by getting phone numbers for me to call.  Giving someone my info to call me makes me picture them getting wowed by the first agent they encounter, while putting off reaching out to me.  Having the first phone or in person interaction is powerful and I have always recognized that.

If one has taken the time to refine their first impression, has good inter-personal skills and knows what they are talking about, why wouldn't someone hire them first time out? To the many, just finding someone is a relief & hiring them provides even further relief. Results are yet to be seen

I am not sure that is right, i do see a lot of consumers get caught up in bif company nets to want to run away when they do not get the service they want. They then look for the service oriented agent and take time to ask questions they should have asked the first time. 

I have learned this year to be a tad more vigilant on what NAR says.... but it must be true if they said it (tongue in cheek)...  🙄

Interesting. I would not count on those statistics in our market.

Your job is to be that first agent they contact, however you do it!

Kathleen Daniels nailed this one!

What Candice A. Donofrio said. A

The results are interesting however I don’t put too much value on the accuracy of polls. There are too many variables. 

Yep! Folks are too busy to interview 2-3, if you are first and make sense...signed contract!

I sign many mid-listing presentation.

I generally do even better than that, seldom walk out without an agreement signed.

Sounds plausible but I don't really believe in polls myself - after all, according to the polls Crooked Hillary should be president!

Talking, meeting face to face is how business SHOULD be done!  The post cards and the blogs get you awareness and may get you that initial call, but it's the personal interaction and trust built through a phone or in-person conversation that gets you the deal.

Certainly jives with my experience....

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 Agree, these numbers have always been this high. What I don't understand is why an owner would allow their most valuable asset to the first agent who comes along. When a lot of owners do interview agents in most cases it is only to buy the agent at the lowest fee.

I don't like national surveys

I am so specific in my niche that these stats don't matter.

I  think if the 1st agent who goes in makes a strong presentation & immediately establishes the client's trust then yes, it's probably true. When I'm looking to hire someone for a job I wish the 1st person in nailed it- would save me a helluva lotta time interviewing multiple candidates!

When we talk to a buyer, they don't call anyone else...

Yes, I agree

Eve

I doubt very much! 

Now if that percentage was for referrals, perhaps true.

For years, anything coming from NAR must be taken with a grain of salt

I don't have any way of disproving any NAR statistics. I stay in touch with my client data base without and formal campaigns and 75+% of my business is repeat and referral business. Not sure the two are linked.

The first person who has the answer gets the juice. That started from a Realtor.com lead on Xmas day that I did not pick up the phone.  Lately I have been getting free leads from that site.

The 1-3% has always bugged me with the price tags most Lead gen companies put on their costs.

I hate this report but it is true I think.

I should ask my new clients if they spoke to anyone else prior to me.....