First of all, I like to make one thing clear. I've been selling homes on the Internet for over 13 years now. It accounts for over 90% of our business. My specialty is lead conversion...it works really well, and it pays the bills! However, it is amazing that every day or so we receive a call from a buyer(s) that just want the address of a listing on our website. First of all it is not my listing it is probably one of about 75000 IDX listings on one of my websites. If you are unfortunate enough to engage these callers in conversation...one thing is for sure. You'll lose an hour of your life with someone that wants a lot of free information, but will never use your services. No matter what you are doing, the caller expects you to drop it and give your undivided attention and provide them free information. They will act annoyed if a client calls in and interrupts their call. If you give them an inch, they want a yard more in information. Keep in mind they are making it clear they will not answer any of your questions. Where I grew up dialog is a two way street. It was never a list of demands.
However, the buyers believe their wishes are simple:
- I just want the address.
- I do not want an agent just the information
- I already have an agent - they are just too busy to look this up...
- I just want the listing agents information - do not want a buyers agent to represent me.
- I just want to drive by the listing to see if I even like it
- I want to Google the address to see if I can commute to work etc..
- If I like it, I will call you back and schedule an appointment to see it.
They will tell you that other sitghts have he addresses on them, and my thoughts are use those websites. What bother me. I offer services as a buyers agent, and you already said you to not want those services.
Enjoy the adventure!
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Jim: I agree with you, but there is always a positive to be found in every contact (well, almost every contact). Whether its discovering a property I hadn't seen before, or practicing my patience skills, I am always learning something.
Jim, Your lucky, I have these calls a couple of times a day... =)
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Paul
Good post. If they are working with another agent, they need to call that agent. If that agent is too busy, they need to consider changing to an agent who isn't too busy to help them.
Kim Southern - Blue Ridge Real Estate (Century 21 Professional Realty Group) Thanks. I've been doing it for a long time. The buyers right now are very different than in decades past.
Paul Henderson, Realtor ® Lacey & DuPont Washington homes (RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.) Paul, we do too. Lately they have become very agressive over 5K properties.
Joyce & Terry Thomas Anthem Merrill Ranch AZ Real Estate (Real Living Realty Services) Exactly!
Jim, I try to get to the bottom line with these types of calls. I often mention to call your agent. It is time wasters for sure with some of these types of calls.
And after the do-it-yourself-just-give-me-the-address-and-all-the-free-info-you-can buyer ends up shooting themselves in the foot, who do you think will take the blame? The agent of course, the agent that represented the seller and did their job.
Jim - I would have to say I receive the one where the caller says "I already have an agent (legitimately)" or "my agent is too busy to help me" or "I want a second opinion" about 2-3 times a week. And by the end of the conversation I casually ask, "if you are not getting the service you want/need from the agent you are currently working with, why are you still working with them?"
It can be very frustrating and a waste of time and energy but you have to stand your ground. Otherwise you will spend all your time talking to these "free information demanders" instead of focusing your time and skills on a real client who actually plans to pay you for your services once a transaction is complete.
Frank Rubi Kenner/Metairie LA Real Estate (Frank Rubi Real Estate Licensed in Louisiana) A lot of time, you cannot get them off the phone.
Mark Brian (Silver Star Real Estate LLC) Exactly. When they really insist they want to do everything themselves..I tell them, "Enjoy the adventure!"
Gina Tufano (RE/MAX Select Properties, Inc.) Gina, I would rather be watching marathons of re-runs of "I love Lucy" with toothpicks under my eyelids... than wasting time with demanding, ungrateful callers.
Jim - I once had a buyer call me about a property and they said that they didn't want to "bother" their agent, but it was ok to "bother" me... I move on quickly, they just aren't worth it.
Debbie Summers - MoveToLakeMary.com or 407-758-1020 (RE/MAX Central - Florida) We had a person just yesterday. That did the same thing. If you ask them on the front side...they respond they have no agent and continue to pump information. At the end of the conversation they mention they have an agent.
How about the one in which you find out they have a house to sell first and they immediately hit you up for your commission if you list it. Oh yeah. Those are great, too.
Karen Luke - Henry County Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty ) Yes indeed! There are loads of differnt folks out there with different ideas!
So, what's your next word if that's what they tell you? NEXT????
I realized that I thrived on serving clients who see the benefits of my presence in their transaction. If they only look at me as a pretty door opener, I really dont have the interests in serving them. I'm much more than that.
Over the years, I've learnt that it's my choice to be involved with a transaction just as much as it is theirs. No is a perfectly acceptable answer.
Jim - I appreciate your comments and blog - your animation is great - what IDX do you use - is it listing ware? Are you pleased with them?
Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of www.Frisco-TX-Homes.com (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY) The next sound they will hear if they do not need my services is the 'Dial tone!"
John Foster (RE/MAX Greater Atlanta) Thanks the animation is something I created a long time ago free online. I do use listingware, but recently the buyers seem to have gone on vacation.