I was listening in on a live stream of a real estate industry panel recently. The question came up of “with all the technology available, what tools do you use to communicate with your clients?” Now the answers themselves didn’t surprise me. Text messaging, because it’s more instant than email. Chat or Instant Messaging (IM), because it’s creates an instant quick exchange. Some just preferred email, since you have a record of your communication.
What I did not hear, (and no, I’m not going to say Twitter) was anyone speaking about what the client prefers. I’ll admit that I use all of these forms of communication (yes, even Twitter). But just like discussing the type of real estate you’re looking for, including: location, size, amenities and price range. It’s equally important to discuss how and when you want to be contacted. Is it better to use your work email during the day and call you cell phone in the evening? Are you always checking your Facebook in the morning between 7-8am? What are reasonable response times from your Realtor? What response time can your Realtor expect from you?
This may seem like a minor issue in the overall magnitude of the home selling or purchase process, but I’ve seen unnecessary frustration as a result of misunderstanding, or lack of, expectations when it comes to communication.
So when you are ready to start working with a Realtor, be sure to feel comfortable with not only the level of communication and response time, but also the method of communication you want.
As a Realtor and social media fanatic in Vernon Hills, IL, you can be assured that I will listen to how you want to communicate with me and make sure that we have a clear understanding of expectations when it comes to communication during the real estate process. Plus, you know that I will already be familiar with most communication methods on the market. Contact me today to discuss buying or selling your Lake County home.
Tags: communication, Real estate, Realtor, Social Media
