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Ambassador
3,125,954
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

I am reluctant to answer the phone with an out-of-area prefix unless expecting that call. Consumers may be weary as well, thanks to the scammers of the world! All real estate is local Donald and Kat Palmiotti has a fantastic solution for you!

Mar 30, 2020 06:13 AM
Ambassador
2,436,470
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I think it's important, and if you have an iPhone X, you can have two numbers on the same phone. So I still have my NY number (still licensed there) and I also have my MT number on the same phone. When a call comes in, I can tell which # they called, and when I make calls, I can choose the number I have as my default, or I can switch to the other. 

Mar 30, 2020 05:07 AM
Ambassador
5,230,130
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I believe it's important. Just get a second number and forward it to your current phone. No data needed - just a LOCAL forwarding number.

My theory - if I'm local - I want someone who KNOWS local. If I'm from out of state, I don't want someone with my same area code that perhaps JUST moved to the area and probably doesn't know it well. Whether you do or don't, that's what your callers will think - in my opinion...for what it's worth!

Mar 29, 2020 10:19 PM
Rainer
465,498
David M. Dwares
Title Professionals Corp. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Title guy with a broker license

I have been using Google Voice for years. I picked a number in an area code and then I paid $10.00 to change the number to a local exchange, otherwise it is free.  Calls to that number ring on any device I want it to, including multiple devices (cell phone and office phone).

Mar 30, 2020 06:31 AM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

Changing your phone number is very important. Just think about it from a buyer's perspective. Who are you going to call? An agent that is local or one that is not in your area code?

 

Mar 30, 2020 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I think it is a MUST as i see so many MA agents move to NH and keep their MA number. The public sees a MA number and may ot want to call them. Actually then they may call me... so it is good that many do not change their number LOL

Mar 30, 2020 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Few people answer their device. No one answers when it's from an area code they are unfamiliar.

You will be a 2 phone person for a while or create the skill to deliver an very compelling message that delivers the action wanted.

Eventually you will need to have a business number that suggests you are not renting time and space.

Mar 30, 2020 05:36 AM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

not as important as it used to be, but I do believe that a local number would get more calls from local people who know the local area code and exchange.

Mar 29, 2020 09:16 PM
Rainmaker
660,906
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Donald, great question, and great answers. My first thought was to have two phones, but with today's technology and after reading the responses here, it seems more options, less bulky,  are available.

The important thing is to have a local number where you are, and not to lose your contacts from the location where you moved.

Mar 30, 2020 07:58 AM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

It depends, do you want to look like a local expert, or someone that just arrived?

Get a google number, they are free and can work over the top of your existing number.

Mar 30, 2020 07:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Make a change. I don't answer most calls that do not come in with caller i.d. Out-of-area calls are mostly spam. Even in the same area code, unidentified calls are probably 75% spam.

Mar 30, 2020 06:55 AM
Rainmaker
900,228
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

It would definitely help.

Mar 30, 2020 06:49 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,630
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I certainly wood Donald Kolenda . I'd say it's very important to the Baby Boomer Generation. If you are listing a Boomers home they want potential Buyers to know they are dealing with a local agent. 

Mar 30, 2020 05:54 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

The best solution is what works best for you.  I'd get a second local number and forward it to my phone much like Debe Maxwell, CRS suggests.

Mar 30, 2020 08:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I personally think you should have a local area code to the service area . . . or a toll free that points to your out of state cell. 

Perception (that you are a local expert) is reality!

Mar 30, 2020 08:18 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,565
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I would think the agent is from out of the area, and not an expert if they have a cell phone from a different area/state.

Mar 30, 2020 07:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,833
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I changed CA cities and changed my number in 2003. I went from The Bay Area and 415 to La Jolla/San Diego and became 858 to brand local.

That said, 40% of my incoming "local resident" calls are not San Diego prefixes, so I think it matters less today than ever before...but, personally I'd still want to look professionally local in my brand as an entrepreneur.

Mar 30, 2020 09:00 AM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

I believe local numbers are important to be seen as the local expert.

Mar 30, 2020 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,518
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

I am not sure it is an important as it once was.  I live in a community where there are very few natives.  

Mar 30, 2020 07:03 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,273
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

This bears looking into and is worthy for discussion....

Mar 30, 2020 06:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I think that it is important to change to the area code where you do the most business. If not, you'll be looked at as spam.

I would keep your old # for a few years so that you can continue to get business from your old location also.

Mar 30, 2020 08:41 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It depends on the market. In Maryland, many agents work in DC and Virginia as well.

Mar 30, 2020 08:16 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Mandatory, essential in my opinion.   Keep your old number and have it automatically forwarded to the new number.

Mar 30, 2020 01:42 PM
Rainer
135,724
Jerrill Ewing
N & J Lake Properties, LLC - Eatonton, GA
Builder

had an out of "area" area code that never seemed to hurt, out of state might be a different story.

Mar 30, 2020 01:21 PM