Are My Values Outdated??

[Abby Ruppert]

Hi all!

I am a real estate agent in Tampa with a wholesale brokerage and I have noticed a huge trend lately that I wanted to get opinions on.  Or who knows,  maybe it has always been there and I am just now noticing. That trend is the complete unwillingness of people to have face to face meetings. Not only have I seen tremendous push back on a simple meeting, but even hostility that I would dare suggest it. 

I could be wrong here, but I find such value in making business relationships with people IN PERSON. Why on earth would you trust me to sell you an investment property, if we have never ever met. And vice versa too! I know we are all busy in this business, myself included, but the way I look at it is if you have an hour to go look at every property I email you, why aren't you able to spend 30 minutes to meet with me just once?

As someone in my twenties, I heavily rely on the capacity for communication that technology has given us; but I do not think it should entirely replace face to face relationships. I just don't find an email capable of conveying trustworthiness and reliability like a handshake and face to face contact does.

Please tell me your experiences and what you think!

[Marc Winter]

@Abby Ruppert, we are moving into a 'swipe right or swipe left' age.  Back in the day, I'd have a prospective (residential) buyer come to my office and I'd qualify/interview them for at least 30--45 minutes before I'd even let them get into my car.

Then with the advent of online MLS and all the Zillow's of the world, information is the key for a buyer. After all, if they like the property, just get out of the way and let them buy it.

Listing property is different--you are selling an intangible service and yourself.  In residential, they must like and trust you to list with you.  

Not so with the buyers.

So, I would suggest you get with the program and do more deals by servicing your clientele the way THEY want to be serviced.  A phone call and email/text follow-up is about all that's really necessary for the bonding you are looking for, at least for the buyers you work with.

A little less focus on where YOU find value, and a bit more on what the clients find valuable.

Good luck.