Don't Call Me! I'm and REO Agent
Don't Call Me! I'm An REO Agent.
Do you remember when a phone call meant that you could get a live person on the other side, or at least a phone tree that has less than 3 branches. Well, if you have been working in the fast and furious world of "I am an REO agent and I Don't Want You To Call Me" then you know what frustration I am going through.
First off, I am an REO agent, and a Realtor® that works with buyers and sellers in Contra Costa County, California. We are into customer service and that means answering the phone ourselves. Yes we might be a species on the brink of extinction but I would rather die with my boots on than with a boot across my neck. (Not sure who said this but I am sure that it has been said) Interestingly enough, the REO agents that have been doing this longer than anyone still pick up the phone and call you back, these are the true professionals - you know who you are.
Instead of flaming these DRE licensed asset managed order takers, who neglect communication with those that have the
cooperating buyer, I would prefer to give them some suggestions on ways that they can work with us.
1. Get out of the business and give up your listings to those of us that care to communicate. When real estate changes, and it will, you may not have the skills needed to grow with the change. Quit now!
2. Call Blocking, not the screening kind, necessarily, but have blocks of time that you will call people back, like, 9-10, 12-1, 5-6. You can be very efficient this way and can still get back to the important calls. Oh, and mention this on your voice-mail.
3. Slydial. That is www.slydial.com. This allows you to go directly to anyone's voice-mail to leave a message. You talk, they have to listen - and it's FREE!
4. Hire more people! Times are hard, if you are that busy and making money than help the economy out and get people to do the minimum wage things that you're probably doing right now that is keeping you from wooing your asset managers and getting more REO's - Stop being cheep!
5. Get an ARCH or other 1-800 number system that people can call to get updates on your properties - you can assign an extension to each property and have your new hired help update this daily.
I am sure there are 100 other ways that you can lighten your load and stop shutting out your fellow agents that want to partner with you on closing deals.
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About the Author: Moises Pagan is a Real Estate Consultant (Realtor®) working for Stokley Properties Inc. in Walnut Creek California. Helping Buyers and Sellers in Contra Costa County.
If you are buying or selling a residential property and would like more information on how I can get you the best deal or best price please call me at 925 285 9290, or email me at moe@contracosta-realestate.com