Special offer
John DL Arendsen, Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer (CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments)

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Rainmaker
4,572,464
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Communication is deemed effective in my opinion when it is mutually agreed upon.  Regardless of age - "farts" come in many varieties as do real people and real situations.  

Nov 04, 2019 11:39 AM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

I say that only because younger people HATE talking and I want them to know they can text this old lady. Also because I get my texts immediately and only check my VM once a day.

ALSO, I'm the Seller's agent on a sale with no Buyer Agent for the Buyer. The Buyer is a PUSHY BRAT and I often find myself wanting to hang up on her, so I'll only talk to her via text 

Nov 04, 2019 11:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,555
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Call me anytime.  I love TALKING BUSINESS.  

Nov 04, 2019 11:26 AM
Ambassador
2,436,470
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I've found many younger people (20-30) don't bother with voice mail. They try calling and if you don't answer, they just hang up. Then they'll text. Or just wait for you to call them back. 

Interesting.

Nov 04, 2019 12:30 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I am all for talking eyeball to eyeball, come on over, I will make some coffee.

 

Nov 04, 2019 11:30 AM
Rainmaker
536,943
Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

I hear this all the time.  Just leave me a message but for a faster response text me.   I prefer a conversation. Text messages can sometimes be misunderstood.  I feel better when I just say it.  High Tech is here to stay.

Nov 04, 2019 11:28 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I have researched texting and calling during purposed open houses.

The active buyer and buyer/seller OVERWHELMING stated they prefer texting. 

I think it worthwhile to actually explore 'texting' as it applies to those who overwhelmingly stated they PREFER texting.

I once had someone share that eye-ball-to-eye-ball was the equivalent of a stare down. (did not know how to act with eye contact) Those less comfortable with direct contact are taking THE action that every human takes to avoid one emotion.

Be aware, real estate agents who use this tactic get the thing they value most....the callers mobile number....and that is gold.

Just got text spammed by a 'REALOGY' agent who apparently is spaming every number they have to see if something will float to the top.

Nov 04, 2019 11:02 AM
Rainmaker
508,318
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Made Easy

I agree. I cannot tell you how many times I see agents complaining that they can't communicate, yet they refuse to have a simple conversation. One phone call can address all the questions instead of texting back and forth 10 times.

I think newer agents are taught to get everything in writing, so texts are easy to save. But they can be confusing as well.

Nov 04, 2019 10:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Just go with the flow

Nov 04, 2019 03:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Clients prefer texts - they're nearly immediately responded to, whereas voice mail takes much longer to get a response. Everyone can answer a text, even if they're in a meeting.

Nov 04, 2019 02:07 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

John,

I just wrote a post about that last week.  I think we all (young and old farts) understimate our biggest asset, which is the human touch.  A

Nov 04, 2019 12:58 PM
Rainmaker
585,600
Dee Toohey
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Longwood, FL
Broker, ABR, AHWD, CIPS, FMS, ePro

I like face to face or at least a phone call.  All this texting, messaging, etc is a mess.

Nov 04, 2019 12:39 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I'm "old school" but it's easier to text agents....  potential clients would be face to face....  

Nov 04, 2019 12:35 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,640
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I prefer the human voice myself but I'm well aware that it's become a thing of the past except for us romantics John DL Arendsen . I myself do far more texting then visiting these days.

Nov 04, 2019 12:27 PM
Ambassador
3,126,179
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

All forms work for all forms.

Nov 04, 2019 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

You have to adjust with the consumer preferences.

Nov 04, 2019 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
472,114
JoAnn Moore
The Mortgage Market of Delaware - Georgetown, DE
Home Loans in Delaware

Best advice is to ask which form of communication do they prefer.

 

Nov 04, 2019 11:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Seems like you are on to the norm here, John!

 

Nov 04, 2019 03:46 PM
Rainmaker
5,217,381
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

VM you say! Most just leave a text and want one in return! Thought it was a telephone?

Nov 04, 2019 01:43 PM
Ambassador
5,049,477
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I don't say for a faster response people can ext me, but do offer it. I sometimes find that those who say this are not necessarily any better about returning a text more readily

Nov 04, 2019 01:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Yes, I prefer messages.

Nov 04, 2019 07:06 PM
Rainmaker
785,475
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

I prefer to talk , but I'm ok with texts or emails. 

Nov 04, 2019 07:05 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

In my phone there are a few phrases I reply if I cannot talk and will call back as soon I can.

 

Nov 04, 2019 06:11 PM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

I love talking to anyone and everyone!  

Nov 04, 2019 05:09 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,522
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

When I get a text, I get an alert. So I usually check it.

If I get a voice mail, it depends on whether or not I heard the phone ring so I know it is there. Sometimes I don't check VM. But I do check them and I do call back.

I hate it when I get the robot voice that tells me that the VM has not been set up or the mail box if full.

Nov 04, 2019 04:18 PM
Rainmaker
911,438
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

There are many situations where texts and/or email are better. In a training, at a funeral or wedding, driving,at misc appointments, etc. I was at county health dept Friday, and they require cell phones to be turned off or put on vibrate. I can't always hear or feel the vibrating, but can look at my phone and see if a text came in. There is more than one way to effectively communicate with others.

Nov 04, 2019 03:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I'm afraid the jury is in .... maybe you are an ole fart? Meanwhile, technology is running you over instead of maybe saving you time & energy.

Nov 04, 2019 02:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I never ask anyone to text me for a faster response time. I don't discriminate in my response time based on how the message arrived... phone, voice mail, text, email.

Nov 04, 2019 01:58 PM
Ambassador
3,345,111
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Many days most of my time is spent talking with people. I logged 4 hours on the phone yesterday with 3 different clients.  High touch for me as well ... from one old fart to another. 

Nov 05, 2019 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I believe that 90% of my communication( and not just business) is via texts and emails. I have no issues with a live/phone conversation, but having a written trail of a thread is very beneficial and extremely convenient. 

 

Nov 04, 2019 11:07 PM
Ambassador
5,230,148
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

This tells me they're just too lazy to listen to their voicemail messages!

Seriously, it tells me I'm going to have to hunt then down every time I need them.

Nov 04, 2019 09:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,503,018
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I don't do that.  If I call, I'll leave a message I'm not going to hang up and text.  TextS have no guarantee of service and may never show up!

Nov 04, 2019 09:21 PM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

The more high tech communication tools we get the less communication actually takes place. In my opinion the personal cell phone and it's 24/7 part of people's lives has resulted in too much "enforced" communication to the point that people don't answer their phone any more as a way to only have the conversations they want to have.

Nov 05, 2019 06:17 AM
Ambassador
1,453,069
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I cringe when I see a VM   People tend to drone on and on in love with the sound of their own voice, or worse speak in sloooow motion.  As I'm listening I'm silently screaming "Why God why?!"     I'm also of the school of keeping a papertrail and for that reason alone, try to encourage texts or at least emails.

Thankfully, my clients are the same as me and love to text; even those in their 80's !! 

Nov 05, 2019 05:59 AM
Rainmaker
629,708
Tom Bailey
Margaret Rudd & Associates Inc. - Oak Island, NC

I see nothing wrong with that. Quite often when I am somewhere I can't answer the phone, I can respond by text! I am not 74, I am close, and I prefer face to face. Sometimes face to face isnot possible. I want to respond ASAP in any way possible!

Nov 04, 2019 11:20 PM
Ambassador
2,670,013
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Texts can be quick but a phone or face to face conversation is best.

Nov 04, 2019 10:48 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,565
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

We are hearing this more and more on vm.

Nov 13, 2019 07:16 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,293
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The ways that work are numerous. What is important is we find them

Nov 05, 2019 06:38 AM