Why I Don’t Use Open House Sign-In Sheets
In the bits and pieces I pick up from (non-client) acquaintances about their previous real estate experience(s), it seems that if there is a generic complaint about Realtors, it takes one of two guises: 1) Realtors who won’t stop calling them; and 2) Realtors who never call them (as in, call them back).
I never saw much point in doing the first; if someone has interest in a property I’m listing, they know how to reach me.
And I usually know how to reach them — and do, but only if they’re receptive.
My experience with sign-in sheets at open houses is that if people have a reason to reach you, they’ll give you their contact information; if they don’t and you force them to fill in a sign-in sheet, anyways . . . they’ll fill it in, all right — it just won’t be accurate.
Complaint #2
If a Realtor doesn’t it call you back, there’s usually just one reason: they don’t think you’re a serious Buyer or Seller.
Since it usually takes at least a little information to form that opinion, I’ve never understood Realtors who don’t conscientiously follow up on every inquiry and lead.
Of course, if you have already hired a Realtor and they don’t call you back — that’s another story.
Realtor – Client Communication
Sellers should expect to work intensively with their Realtor during the pre-list stage, then get regular updates once their home is on the market.
Buyers, meanwhile, should expect to hear from their Realtor whenever listings that meet their criteria pop up (or even better, before they hit the market!).
Once Buyers find a home they’re seriously interested in, the pace of communication should accelerate.
Full Mailbox
Of course, with either Buyers or Sellers, a good Realtor is available as questions or issues arise.
Fortunately, there is an easy way for Buyers and Sellers to gauge how responsive a Realtor is likely to be if/when they hire them: how responsive were they beforehand?
P.S.: And then there are would-be clients who think that a Realtor is blowing them off when there’s another explanation.
So, I’ve been been diligently trying to get back to someone who came through my open house today and expressed interest — but they’re apparently not aware that their voicemail is full!
