I started working with another new buyer this weekend.
Like many of my buyers, this one found me on the Internet and asked a question about properties in an area within my territory here in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs.
I answered the questions right away and we had a good back and forth dialogue via email, followed by a phone conversation to clarify their real estate goals and their needs in a new home.
At the end of the discussion, this buyer said, "You know why we"re hiring you?"
(No, but I'm glad you are, I thought.)
"Because every time we've called or emailed a real estate agent on the weekend -- when we're off work and have time to look for a house -- they don't return our calls and don't answer our emails. We really appreciate your help and can't wait to work with you."
That's why I work when you don't, Mr. Buyer. If you're working 8 to 5, Monday through Friday, then we're going to look at houses after 5 and on Saturdays and Sundays. You stick with me and I'll stick with you until we find the right place for you to call home.
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I am an Illinois Real Estate Broker and REALTOR with GoshenRealtyGroup at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. We're Edwardsville's only RE/MAX office.
We help clients buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs with special emphasis on the Metro East communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville, Troy, Bethalto, Granite City, Highland, Wood River, Godfrey, O'Fallon, Shiloh, Belleville and surrounding areas in Madison and St. Clair counties in Illinois.
Goshen Realty Group takes its name from the earliest nickname for Madison County, Illinois -- "The Land of Goshen" -- coined when the region's 18th century settlers compared their new home on the eastern banks of the Mississippi River to the biblical land of peace and plenty.
For more information, visit GoshenRealtyGroup.com or send an email to me at Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com. Text or call Nancy Milton Holtzscher, your Edwardsville Realtor, at 618-791-8007.
REMAX Preferred Partners is located at One 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL 62025, 618-791-8007 (direct) 618-655-1188 (office). Each office is independently owned and operated.
Nancy, we realtors do work the "odd hours" at times, but serving the needs of our clients is what it's all about! So glad this couple appreciated you!!
Excellent Post! Very, very well done and as Walter Cronkite use to say - "And that's the way it is"...... Nancy, you summed it up perfectly.
Hi Nancy,
I too answer emails and phone calls everyday. I find returning emails and phone calls right away goes along way to build rapport with clients.
Great post, Nancy. I prefer not to work Sundays, but if that is when my client is available to look at homes, I'll be there.
I actually know agents that do not work weekends . I 've never had that pleasure, like you I answer every call & follow up on every e-mail,and try to accomodate their off hour showings when needd. That's what it is all about , keep up the good work!
I had a client once apologize for bothering me on my day off (the weekend). I told them days off = no business.
My whole working life has been at jobs that are far from 9 - 5 M-F. I am not sure what I would do if I did work straight hours like that.
Nancy: It doesn't take much to answer my phone when it rings, or check and quickly answer my iPhone4 for emails throughout the day, any day of the week. And, yes, we knew this was not a 9 to 5 job when we went into it. Nice reminder why we do it. To catch that client when he needs us.
I think it is all part of the commitment we make when we enter into this profession, Nancy - thanks so much for posting this reminder to us all! Suggesting and reblogging! :-)
Sonja -- Thanks for the comment. Odd hours are us!
David -- Where's Uncle Walter when we need him? Thanks for stopping by.
Gary -- I certainly understand setting aside time and agree. And you have to be sure your clients seriously need something when they ask you to violate that.
Joan -- More power to them, I guess, but I like working weekends to stay ahead of the game. Have a great week!
Kathy -- Exactly and that's why smart phones were invented, right?
Dale -- I know I'd go crazy too at a desk on set hours!
Hella -- Thanks, it's all about being there when they need you.
Karen -- Thanks so much, Karen!