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Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales)

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Rainmaker
386,342
Bruce Brockmeier
Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA
Coached By Crouch

Hi Gabe,

Most agents give up too easily, so they leave good money on the table. 

Here's an example that should inspire everyone.  One of my clients called a lead eight times.  She left a message each time.  This went on over a span of several months, as part of her regular schedule.

Result?  The buyers finally called my agent.  They said, "The other agents stopped calling us, so we want to work with you".  Last month they closed on a transaction over a million dollars.

It's true.  Persistence pays off!

Jan 21, 2015 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,706,465
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

We recently got a call from a buyer who had signed up on our site. No. We hadn't called her once but we have an email drip campaign that kicks in immediately. We scheduled a buyer's consultation. After 45 minutes into that consult, she and her husband signed a buyers agreement.

During our conversation, they mentioned they were being harassed by agents they'd met at open houses. She found me through my AR blog. She called me because she'd read many posts and she felt we provided value to our clients. We found them a house two weeks later and they closed at the end of December.

My point--we want clients who are actually interested in working with us because they know we provide value. Not clients who use us because we harassed them for months. I know business can be found that way but I'm just not that interested in working with people who really don't want to work with me.

Jan 22, 2015 01:02 AM
Rainmaker
2,194,668
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

5 to 7 times. I send emails too. I always say I don't want to bug them but I want to make sure they got my message. Eventually they call. Some people are traveling, others are on vacation, some don't check v/m or email for a while. Persistence pays off. But that's why I sell so many homes, LOL.

Jan 21, 2015 11:26 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Depends on where the lead came from, some people do NOT want to be reached, and they will never answer.

Nov 19, 2017 10:12 PM
Rainmaker
940,545
David Alan Baker | Laveen & South Phoenix Realtor
Keller Williams Realty Phoenix - Laveen, AZ
Your local Expert

I always leave a message.  I hate when people call me and don't leave a message, frankly I think it is rude.  So I won't do it.

Jan 21, 2015 11:08 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I leave a voice mail 3 times.  But I find that seldom will I reach anyone after the first call.

Jan 21, 2015 12:50 PM
Rainer
148,989
James Brockway
Brockway Realty, LLC - League City, TX

I leave a voice mail, text them and email them.  I believe in persistence, but at some point I believe they are ignoring me because they were mometarily interested, perhaps had a few cocktails late in the evening when they were looking at homes on line, or spoke to their spouse, etc.   If I were to contact them repeatedly, I feel that I would become a nuisance.

Jan 21, 2015 12:43 PM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

I always the put the phone number into a search engine, too.  Usually nothing of interest comes up, but occasionally there's useful information.

Jan 21, 2015 07:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Elizabeth W nailed this one!

May 18, 2017 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
666,539
AJ Heidmann ~ CRS
McEnearney Associates, Inc. - Alexandria, VA
YOUR Alexandria & Arlington, VA Real Estate Expert

Gabe - I am good for 5 attempts, of combined voice mails & emails.  If I don't hear back from them after that I put them into the cold file and assume they aren't really interested or selected another agent.  Some will, some won't, so what... Next!

Jan 28, 2015 04:15 AM
Rainmaker
90,543
Debra Peters
Referral Realty - Manorville, NY
NY Real Estate Salesperson

I will call up to 3 times and leave a brief voicemail.  If it's an immediate lead where I know the person has just entered their information and I get notified right away, I will call and leave a message one time.  They made an inquiry, I responded, and if they don't bother to return the call, then they probably aren't serious customers/clients.

Jan 26, 2015 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Gabe - I don't really have a set system for this, but perhaps I should. I typically try a few calls at different times and on different days. I will leave a message each time. After about a week (not calling every day), I will stop.

I am considering keeping those numbers and texting every month or so, as I think more people respond to texting than an actual phone call these days. 

Jan 23, 2015 11:17 AM
Rainer
105,987
Chris Mamone
Keller Mortgage - Tacoma, WA
Senior Loan Officer

I call throughout the week at different times and multiple times. I'll call in the morning first thing, mid day, and at night. I will do it until I get told not interested, or after a period of about 3 weeks. I try to reach out at every available opportunity. Try calling on the weekends on Saturday between 10am and 12pm. and sunday afternoons 1-3pm. Those a great times to get ahold of people you can't during the week.

Jan 23, 2015 08:21 AM
Rainer
97,521
Shannon Thomas
Selling Indy Metro, LLC - Avon, IN
Managing Broker, E-Pro, ABR,SRS, SFR

I text, call and email.  Then I send properties that match the one they asked about.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  Persistence does pay off.  I'm aggressive to start and then slow down and then stop if I don't get a response.

Jan 22, 2015 08:32 PM
Rainer
11,060
Mason Nettles
Mason Buys Houses - Greenville, SC
Real Estate Investor In Greenville SC

I leave one vm message and an hour or so later send a text. I follow up 2 more times no vm

Jan 22, 2015 10:51 AM
Rainer
215,585
Marla Yost
The Yost Team- Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, TX
The Yost Team

Just keep trying ...it`s in their head some where about moving or they wouldn`t have left the info. 

Keep trying Couple of times a week then move to once a week until they say "NO" more  put them on an email drip if you have their email address also

 

Jan 22, 2015 07:00 AM
Rainmaker
544,892
John Mosier
Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ
Prescott's Patriot Agent 928 533-8142

Praful Thakkar -- How do you put them in a drip campaign with no e-mail address?

Jan 22, 2015 03:06 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I only leave a voice mail once and try to call again in a day so they can see the missed call but do not leave message. 

Jan 21, 2015 10:45 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I will call once, then send an email referring to my call. I will call back once, but I don't hound them. I'm trying to use texting as a quick method of getting back to people. These days it seems more people respond to those than to voice mail.

Jan 21, 2015 08:18 PM
Rainmaker
870,537
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Three times is a charm.  I will let them know that I will make three attempts to reach them.  If I don't get a response from them, then leave them alone to reach you if they need your service.  Make sure they know you are a busy business person but like to give them benefit of being very busy bodies

Jan 21, 2015 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,333,725
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

I do leave a voice mail each time, but after a few phone calls, if they don't respond...I leave them one more email and then I just move forward.

Jan 21, 2015 07:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Gabe -- great question.   My answer depends on some different factors that may seem quite arbitrary but certainly includes the quality of the information I have received.  

It's a numbers game - often time for them as much as it is for me.   When I call and actually find someone on the other end -- they have called/sent an email to multiple agents inquiring about the same property/properties or with the same question.

Question - answer - evaluate - decide - move on.  

Jan 21, 2015 05:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Two times is usually my limit and I leave a message each time.

Jan 21, 2015 02:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Left a message when I don't get them - and put them in a drip campaign.

Jan 21, 2015 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
386,342
Bruce Brockmeier
Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA
Coached By Crouch

P.S.  I'm going to go off-topic for just a minute here, because I read your bio for the first time.  Thank you for your service to our country!

Jan 21, 2015 11:55 AM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Until I get ahold of them or they say please quit calling me.

Jan 21, 2015 11:39 AM
Rainmaker
750,057
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

twice and then I move on to someone else who needs me.

Jan 21, 2015 11:30 AM
Rainmaker
1,026,994
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Twice and I will leave a voice mail, and then I also text, then they don't have to listen to my voice mail!

Jan 21, 2015 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,562,386
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I don't bother.  I refer it to another agent to deal with.

Jan 21, 2015 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Twice and yes I leave a voice mail. But with all the recent talk about voice mail is out, I may start texting insted.

Jan 21, 2015 11:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,318,269
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I call a couple of times.  If there is an email - I send an email.  I wait a couple of days and try one more call and one more email.  

Jan 21, 2015 10:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

 I leave a message the first time, usually no message the second time and a message the 3rd time.  I'll try a text, too.  

Jan 21, 2015 08:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks Jill.  I always forget to send a text.  Good idea.

Jan 21, 2015 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

Three times at most.  I do leave a voice mail.  If it's a cell phone, I may send a text, too.  If the person only leaves an email address, I send one email and no more if there's no response.

Jan 21, 2015 07:33 AM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

We rarely get web lead with phone number!

May 31, 2018 04:31 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I like the way you think, Marla Yost .

Jan 22, 2015 08:09 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Some great answers, thanks.  I have a plan of follow up emails and calls, and usually leave voicemails.  Typically I will call a minimum of four times and sometimes more if they appear to be reading my emails or are active on my web site.

Jan 21, 2015 07:13 PM