What is your most valuable asset? If you answered anything other than your integrity it's time for a re-evaluation. We work in a profession that deals with large amounts of money. A home is typically the largest expenditure a person makes in their lives. Clients want to be comfortable entrusting that purchase to someone who is honest, fair and responsible. They look for these qualities in places that realtors don't always acknowledge.
If you say that you are going to get back to a client within 24 hours and you don't, it automatically raises a question mark in your client's mind. There are plenty of reasonable excuses for not getting back to a client - you got busy, you had nothing new to report, you had an urgent phone call that took precedence; the point is you still need to be a person of your word.
In real estate you will quickly find that at least half of your business will be referral. If you want to do big business then you need to have big referrals. This is why your work is literally worth gold. When you are true to your word, clients appreciate it and they will talk to their friends, family and clients about you. A good referral is money in your pocket. Be true to your word and reap the rewards it will bring.
Coco.... you are 110% correct. I have talked about trust and integrity in my last several posts. I won't link them here, so not to hijack your blog. ;o) I also wrote a post on red flags and mentioned this also. I can't tell you how many times I call a client back, after telling them that I would call back at a specific time, that they say... gee, you are right on schedule. If I didn't have referrals, I would be very broke. This is a great reminder...
I was going to say my cute looks, but I can go with integrity....But 24 hours seems like such a long time...I don't have that much patience...I close at 5pm...I call everyone back and at least leave a message that I called...First thing before I open in the morning...I check messages again and return the calls. Even Saturday and Sunday...I call into my office to check messages.....I look at it this way...If I show my clients the utmost respect...they will do the same to me.
My Father always told me, Deserving respect is mutual, and has to be given before it should be requested.
Nice one! Were you on vacation? I haven't seen a post in a while. (Isn't it funny how in the web-world just a few days without contact seems like forever??) I was getting used to my 'dose of Coco' - your posts put a warm smile on my face, just like a nice cup of coco... keep them coming!
Coco,
I couldn't agree more. Our word is priceless!