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Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Bristow, VA (Long and Foster Real Estate)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
1,502,898
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

It's probably that they relocated from out of the area, that is the number they've always had an the one their family and friends have and they either don't understand the importance of a local number or don't know about virtual numbers or don't know about or can't get a second number on their phone.

Mar 13, 2021 10:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,176
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

If they don't have a local number, it may reflect on the public's perception of their local expertise. 

I'm still waiting for a chick from another town and yet another area code to return a clearly detailed call (or text back) with a showing instruction that she has in her listing 'call LA'  . . . SINCE YESTERDAY. 

Maybe she needed to drive back to CA to get her messages. LOL

Although the local numbers are being spoofed so much now, it's hard to know who is on the other end to begin with!

Mar 13, 2021 09:46 AM
Ambassador
3,854,786
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

If my phone rings, I answer it. If it is spam, it is marked and blocked. All other calls are marked with the caller's name.

I have two phone numbers, and they both ring into my cell phone.

And I'm so happy NOT to be talking about that little dog!!

Mar 13, 2021 12:55 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,917
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

A little investigation beyond the numbers may reveal much.   

Mar 13, 2021 10:12 AM
Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I live local and have a local cell #  However, I'm required to have my brokerage # on all marketing and it is 4 hours away from me and in a different area code.  I've heard other agents attempt to disparage me as an out of area agent even though I'm as local as they come.

Mar 13, 2021 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,602
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Practically speaking with cell phones and relo a frequent thing  these days ...it matters not.

Brand-wise it's a torpedo to the reputation for localism.

It also will hinder your business in San Diego even with local numbers- we have three area codes and  (North) 760's don't want (South) 619's in their area working and vice versa. I chose 858 because it's Central San Diego and tends to be most flexible.

 

Mar 13, 2021 02:32 PM
Ambassador
3,587,835
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes I do and it appears they haven't changed it yet or don't care to change it.  A young newbie agent called me the other day on a listing that she wanted to hold open and she had an out of state code, almost didn't answer. I thought after talking with her a little bit....good for her, she's new in town and trying to drum up business.

Mar 13, 2021 01:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,367
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Many of the people who live in our area lived elsewhere when they established their cell phone service and were given what was a local number at that time. A subsequent move does not make them suspect in any way due to an area code that is not a "local" area code.

I rarely answer my phone if the caller id does not show that the caller is someone in my contact list. If the caller is not known to me, they can leave a message. If the caller is legit, they will get a call-back ASAP. More there likely, the caller is a spammer.

Mar 13, 2021 12:57 PM
Rainmaker
900,118
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

It is absolutely of no importance to me. The number only indicates where the original cell phone was first obtained and connected; sometimes people move and keep the same number.

Mar 13, 2021 11:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Chris Ann,

There are some exceptions I have encountered.  One of our clients lives in the private club market she serves.  She has an out of state number that she uses, and in this case does not reflect on her expertise.  For the last 10+ years we have worked with her on marketing and strategy, she has been #1 go to agent, and ranks 23 on the top list of agents in her state.   This year alone, she  has surpassed many once again...

In other markets, yes I would want someone with a local number, however. I would also inquire as to why.  We met our graphic designer in Napa.  She moved to Oklahoma and kept her Napa number.  She also does the graphics for the the Napa publication every month.

 

So I do not mind, I would question an agent with a local number as vehemently as an agent with a non-local number...A

Mar 13, 2021 11:26 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I see those on occasion and find it odd... but it's not my monkey, as they say, so I don't give it much thought. I answer all calls regardless of area code... so often it's a potential lead. If it's spam it doesn't take long to hang up and block.

Mar 13, 2021 10:05 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 Lots of people keep their cell number when they relocate.  

Mar 13, 2021 05:57 PM
Rainer
344,388
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

There are ocasional exceptions as with every rule.

Out of state phones are not uncommon in markets that are on the border with another state, or cater to commuters and remote workers from out of the area.  In our markets many agents have come from such locations.  For some clients it gives a sense of relatability with that agent, "they know what I'm going through moving here from out of state, or buying a vaca home in a market so different from our home market."

Mar 13, 2021 04:25 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Within a week or so of my moving to Montana, I visited my cell provider and found out I could have two numbers on my phone. So I got a local Montana number and kept my NY number. I can get calls from both on the same device.

I think if we are going to practice real estate in a specific location, we should have a local number.

Mar 13, 2021 03:35 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I do not get many calls from agents with non-local area codes. 

My sense is that those people are not helping their business with an out-of-state or out-of-area phone number. 

Mar 13, 2021 11:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Unless you are an international traveler, you should have a local #. 

Here in Chicago we have 6 local extensions.

Mar 13, 2021 10:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,042
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

I have a local number, and feel it is very important along with your caller I’d being correct.  just my opinion, I don’t loose sleep over it.

Mar 13, 2021 02:39 PM
Ambassador
3,125,396
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

They are potentially missing out on a large segment of the local market. I told an agent that in a FB group and she snapped at me - other agents backed me up and she ended up deleting the post.

Mar 13, 2021 01:23 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,323
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Wish them well and focus on your own efforts.

Mar 13, 2021 12:37 PM
Rainmaker
2,240,975
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Not seeing it and only a handful of agents in small rural real estate markets. If someone moved to our area, wanted to start listing and selling real estate, a local number would be a good idea. You can't tell from the number where they are from these days.. folks with a Texas number from two moves before don't look like they already live in Southern Maine. One area code, 207 for our entire states tells you Maine is small, spaced out and less people, less problems.

Mar 13, 2021 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

The agent I brought on late last year had a Tennessee cell phone.  She has been an agent for 5 years, but convinced her a local number was a better idea, she got a new number.

Mar 14, 2021 07:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I would think it's a bit of disadvantage, but less so now than 10 years ago. It also depends where it's from/how well known.  I live in NYC metro area, so we have a bunch of area codes (moreso than when I lived in DC.  So, while 914 is my county, 212, 917, 646, 845, 718, and others are considered local.  Even Long Island.  Ironically, CT which is only 20-30 minutes from me seems less local.

Mar 14, 2021 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,746,165
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

People often keep their same number when they move, for years even.  So it's not always fair to think of them as recent transplants.

Mar 13, 2021 05:36 PM
Rainmaker
620,692
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA

We have 3 'local' area codes in my market... If it's not one of them on my caller ID I do not answer it.

Mar 15, 2021 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,353
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Not sure it is a big deal today. Now living in Chicago I still have a Ft. Myers area code and find many in the city with area codes from all over the country. Maybe more of a factor in smaller places.

Mar 14, 2021 04:59 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

I've had many a conversation on this topic with those who have the out of area number...  They're emotionally attached to it.  IMHO they would do well by their business if they got a local one. 

Mar 15, 2021 04:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,123
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Fascinating as I just got back from some traveling and my number was foreign to those in the area but not to me. You never know for sure who is calling and why. I google more before returning out of area call....

Mar 14, 2021 07:55 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It's so easy to get a second phone with a local # not sure why new to area agents don't get one. People do think out of area #s are usually spam, google, auto warranty, spam, etc calls. I just answer, and if it's spam, i've been blocking the #s. Soon we'll be seeing " Neighborhood Expert" sign riders, with phone #s like 917-555-1212

Mar 14, 2021 07:50 AM
Rainer
195,422
Karen Climer
Demetree School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
Teaching people to pass the real estate exam

I don't care what your area code is.  I care if you answer the phone when I call, or return the calls when I leave a message.

Mar 14, 2021 07:44 AM