

403,257
Ask your client their preferred method of communication and communicate that way. It may mean sending things via FedEx, including a return envelope and discussing documents, etc. point by point over the phone.
If you've been in the business for a while, you'll remember doing business without all of the technology tools now available. You did it then and you can do it again.
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Patricia Kennedy
Washington, DC
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
John Mosier
Prescott, AZ
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
1,113,048
If you want the client, you have to adjust.. I don't prefer those clients - not my demographic. However. If I want them, and they can't electronically communicate, we go low-tech. I overnight docs with PPd return. Everything highlighted. Call me when you get them, go over everything on the phone, sign, pop back in the envelope and back to me. My marketing uses traditional methods as well as high-tech, and my value to tech-challenged clients emphasizes customer care.
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Patricia Kennedy
Washington, DC
1,119,329
John, Welcome to my world! You just described about half of my clients...I work with a lot of snowbirds and investors from up north and many of them are low tech - no tech. It's all about knowing each other's expectations and managing them.
This group requires a LOT of patience and a little more time and attention than locals but they are SO worth it and very appreciative of the extra effort. If you need help with any clients in my area, I will be happy to assist.
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Allie Angeloni
Oro Valley, AZ
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
John Mosier
Prescott, AZ
2,717,898
I had a recent out of town sale where the senior citizen went to the UPS Store to use their Fax machine (I used the UPS Store here in Tallahassee to send and receive the forms via fax). At least she could use a cell phone, and take that to the UPS store with her. I know senior citizens who are still tied to landlines.
*Salute to the staff at both UPS Stores, especially hers. It would not have happened without their help.
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Patricia Kennedy
Washington, DC
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
5,558,401
John Mosier - It's only a challenge to us when our elderly clients have no tech knowledge! I just revert to the 'old days' and meet them face-to-face. If it's a listing, I take my laptop with me and show them how the marketing will look online.
When it comes to signing documents, I go to them - that's what they are used to and I accommodate! It seems I've had a lot of those lately too!
If they are out of your area, see if there is an AR member who would do that for you...
Good luck!
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
John Mosier
Prescott, AZ
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
3,764,541
I haven't had any who were totally un-techie in years, including several senior citizens. But I just adjust to their level of tech competence.
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
5,774,106
With great care and kindness. A
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
5,202,549
It IS a challenge and you have to find out what can work for them - sending documents and other paperwork overnight gets expensive but it is an option if they do not want to go to some store (e.g., Kinkos) to send and receive. I suppose you have to decide h0w much you are willing and ableto do to make this work, and is it worth the time, money, and effort. Not having email is one thing, but not using other possible services is quite another.
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Patricia Kennedy
Washington, DC
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
5,388,691
I've only ever had two of these and I just drove over to their house and did everything face-to-face. You need to figure out how to communicate and work with how your clients prefer, not how you prefer to do it. It's our job to be tech-savvy to properly represent our clients, but there is no requirement that our clients be tech savvy. I started in real estate 25 years ago with no computers, no cell phones, no mls.... somehow we still sold a lot of real estate... faxes, fedex, etc. all worked.
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Susan Haughton
Alexandria, VA
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
784,780
In person.
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Laura Testa
Danbury, CT
1,657,602
They way they want that. I just worked with elder( both 80+ y.o.). It was slower, but we did it:)
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Patricia Kennedy
Washington, DC
1,157,847
Being tech savvy is not a requirement for my clients. I deal with many people who do not use email, faxes, internet and other communication methods.
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
6,766,375
Sounds like many of my clients, just plan do do things in the old ways, mail, phone and personal meetings.
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
1,472,241
Is there a brokerage near them that you can enlist in helping these folks face to face?
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
-
Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
2,615,164
It's a lot easier if they live close. If you definitely want these listing(s), I'd drive the two hours with all the paperwork. It sounds as though it would be worth the trip in the long run.
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,259,413
I go old school
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
4,273,331
291,019
Don't give up yet John Mosier. We deal with snowbirds and an age-restricted community. So we also have clients who live out-of-state, and some do not have computers, so a Smartphone isn't even an issue! If possible, we have either sent docs to a family member who lives close by, or to the office of a care facility where they live. We have talked with the Contact Person and explained the situation, and they know exactly what we are talking about, and have been extremely helpful. We also send docs in some cases in Overnight Mail, if that is appropriate. I would continue to leave Voice Mail messages and let someone know who is 'close by' (either distance-wise or in the same facility) that you have 'left messages'. They may not check their phone daily, and some have difficulty retrieving messages. This can still work out, and I know it's hard to be patient when time is of the essence, though it sounds like you are not in that exact situation yet. Let me know how 'things' work out, especially if that client is interested, it can still happen - Best of Luck!
-
Diana Zaccaro Broker A...
Cocoa Beach, FL
2,872,471
For those that are not tech savvy...You must learn to talk turkey (simple)
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
4,791,716
I'd be more concerned about the non-responsiveness than the saviness of technology. I can and have dealt with clients who don't have a cell phone, don't use email and wouldn't know or care about the power of the Internet.
Real buyers buy. Real sellers sell. I'm wondering about the motivation of the prospective seller you mention.
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
921,504
No email or FAX.
Too much care and feeding required. You will invest 10 times more direct time, experience 20 times more frustration, and infuriate 50% of the other agents with whom you must engage. AND this persons agent will be blamed for the manner the Office Depot/Staples/Kinko/UPS staff treat them and charge per page.
They will conclude they could of done it themselves easier and faster without an agent.
I will refer them to an agent on 'The List."
-
Will Hamm
Aurora, CO
8,237,031
You have do deal with them face to face.
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
3,627,477
Hmm, interesting issue, just curious how far away does he live? Would it pay you to go to him in person? There has to be a way, maybe FedX the documents to him, meet him halfway etc.
-
Michael Thacker - Re/M...
Louisville, KY
864,758
2,234,865
We still get people like that in my area. Although I haven't had to deal with an out of the area client yet that isn't using some sort of technology...even if it is a fax machine.
Ask your client how he would like to handle the paperwork. Explain your market methods to him and let him know that if he has family and friends that use the computer, they can show him what you are doing.
542,913
I usually meet with them face to face, but that doesn't seem possible in your case.
3,986,529
3,988,144
I try to teach them some simple tech procedures if they are willing. If not, I do it the old fashion way.
1,546,224
John, I really worry about the AGENTS that aren't tech savy. That's real scary in this day and age!
As to your out of state time sinks, I'd cut them loose too or start putting them on the back burner on simmer. If they return it great, otherwise your time is better spent serving three or four local clients instead of trying to service the one.
4,322,295
John Mosier - this indeed is a big challenge! For everything, I have to meet them in person. Time-consuming for sure.
Though with that. now I plan better....lol!
1,618,024
5,292,059
5,585,039
it's just like the good old days!!!! put them in your car and show them the listings....
1,875,168
1st thing I'd do is see if he picked it up. At this point FEDX would have been faster right?
I think that he is probably reading & thinking on the things he sent you IF he picked them up. Step back to 1980 & use FEDX or the next day USPS stuff.
929,845
5,558,757
Many are tech challenged and need a bit of patience. Some have multiple properties they are selling for estate planning purposes. Be patient while others give up!
936,418
I would buy them a fax machine. Also, Express Mail and FedEx work. The ones that live nearby, in person meetings are best. otherwise, a courier service or personal/office assistant might be best. Pay the $20.00 per hour and gas, and let them do the driving back and forth for you.
4,434,277
1,466,257
John Mosier You have to go "old school" and communicate with them like the days before technology. Snail mail, visiting with them, calling them, etc. Don't miss this market. Many are older people who have the resources to buy and sell.
846,575
1,014,238
You've got to go back to basics - before the age of using the digital MLS and email
I think they call it the telephone and snail mail ;)
1,713,581