Realtor Email Etiquette: “Do’s and “Don’ts

How do you effectively double the already large number of emails between two Realtors working on a transaction together?

Have one explicitly request that the other acknowledge receipt of each and every email they send.

Yup, I’ve run into agents who subscribe to that annoying practice.

Which is why I don’t do it, with two exceptions (applies to my communication with clients as well):

One. There’s reason to believe someone’s emails aren’t getting through.

The most likely explanation: an email filter that mistakenly identifies the sender’s emails as spam (not that Realtors ever send spam 🙂 ).

Until the problem is fixed, confirming that something was actually received makes sense (it can also be done via text or phone).

Two. There’s an offer(!) attached to the email.

Then, it’s always smart to document receipt.

Especially when the attached offer is my client’s, however, I never rely solely on a written record of receipt.

Long before I send the offer ” even before Covid, Buyers’ agents almost never present offers in person today ” I’ll typically be in touch with the listing agent (representing the Seller).

My agenda (on behalf of the Buyer): highlight the offer’s strengths; make the sure the Seller is available to review it; confirm whether or not there’s competition; and generally establish a good dialogue about what’s going on with the home.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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