I've got WAY more leads than expected or than I can handle!

[Cindy Craft]

I just listed my first property two days ago. Within the first 24hrs we had more than 20 leads. Now, at the 48hr mark, we have well over 50! Am I required to follow up with every lead? We have tried calling each one and doing a pre-screen, but it is becoming overwhelming. We have two open house viewings scheduled next week. Should we just take it off the market now to prevent an influx of more leads? I did not anticipate this. 

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Colleen F.:

No, you don't have to followup every one, if you know it is a no go just from their call I  just don't respond.  For example anything that looks like spam is,  so just don't answer.  Anyone with a story asking for accomadations like security deposit installments or something you would not consider set aside for a later response.  They will call back or understand when you don't respond immediately.  Review the ad when they call.     Get a spreadsheet and track them, I put down prescreen answers and anything they volunteer, particularly if it makes me remember them.  I work at x place, or something like that.   You can pull the ad but I don't advise it because many people are fishing and really won't show for your open house so you want all the best prospects in your funnel.  I would just tell them the open house time if you don't have time to pre-screen them. Some will just not come, some will come and not match your criteria. If you call back once don't bother to chase them. You always get the most leads in the beginning of the listing.

Colleen you probably know better than I.. but would you say maybe 5 out of 50 calls would be from folks you would consider ?? and 45 you would never rent to.

but I guess its better than getting no calls or very few.. 

also I wonder how many of those are scammers... IE I live in Alaska and cant get to a phone will send U 5k deposit as that's the only thing I have please send me back 1500 of the 5k   blah blah blah