Your Voicemail Greeting is a LIE

[Jake Kucheck]

I can't tell you how many times I've heard "I'm either on the other line or helping clients".

Really? Your life consists of nothing besides being on the phone, or helping clients? Perhaps sometimes even helping clients by talking to them on the phone?

Is it just real estate agents that have taken "the appearance of a busy schedule" to this level, or do other professions do this as well?

Also annoying: "Thanks for calling Joe Smith with Century 21, million dollar producer". Maybe in some markets this is impressive, but in mine this means you sold two houses (or maybe one). Congrats.

I'm sure others have heard similarly annoying voicemail greetings, it would be great to get those out in the open so we can teach our fellow agents to avoid them...

[Will Barnard]

Annoying, YES, a lie, likely Yes, are they going to change? No. It is what it is, no different than the fact that so many agents never return phone calls. Countless times I have called on an active listing stating I am a buyer, with all cash, I will prove it, and I want to make an offer, please call me. Guess, what, no call. How these agents expect to sell homes if they don't even call back buyers.

And for anyone who is thinking about jumping in to make excuses, saying that maybe the listing already had an offer or some other stupid justification, don't try it. If it did have an offer, then the listing should be "pending" and the agent should still call back a buyer, perhaps they could sell him another property!

Jake - would you like my new message?
"Hello, you have reached Will Barnard, I am currently watching my bikini models wax down my Lamborgini, or I am being fed grapes pool side at my Malibu beach front, so please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I am no longer busy. Have a great day.