I generate a lot of business by doing lead follow up. Leads come to me in various ways. I get many off of the 1-800 numbers we put on property signs and flyers. I also get some internet leads. Every once in a while I will get a lead and have a good conversation and start to follow up by email with some homes. What happens is if you don't get face to face with the buyers before another Realtor does - you don't get the buyer.
Here is an email response I got today, "thank you for sending me some houses, but i have a realitor now." ....
My first thought was, "Did she not know I was a Realtor?" Then I thought, "I should have met face to face with them..."
Finally, I decide I would not waste anymore time on what might have been. Perhaps its for the best. Perhaps they won't buy a home or don't qualify and I am saving time. Perhaps they will buy and maybe the Realtor they have really needed a sale worse then me. Who knows?
What I have learned is if this happens I just need to RELEASE THE BUYER. In order to make room for another potential buyer I need bless this buyer off and release them.
You see, so often we look at what might of been in the past and hold on to it...the pain, the glory, the shame, the what ifs... and by doing so we miss the NEW THING God is looking to bless us with.
So BUYER I RELEASE YOU and wait in joyful expectancy of the NEW THING that is coming to me now!
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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate. He is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available soon). Carstensen is also a personal development mentor with Success University...where he helps people discover how to be more successful in business, life and health.
*If you or someone you know is having trouble paying the mortgage find out your options at www.DiscoveryTeamHelps.com
Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team(RE/MAX Associates Plus Inc.) in Elk River, MN. Helping buyers, sellers and investors in great Minnesota counties like Sherburne, Isanti, Wright, Anoka, Chisago, Hennipen and Mille Lacs. He is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) (more info)
Contact Chuck by emailing him at chuck@thediscoveryteam.com or by phone at 763-635-7228.
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Good post, good reminder. I've released DOZENS of buyers this year!
I've even released a few that I have met face to face. Some are just going to be more trouble than they're worth.
I will agree with you on your post.
Many buyers right now will not even tell you they have several different agents sending them information with a binding contract.
I have been turning down many buyers lately because they are not serious about buying.
Robert Swetz
I know what you mean. I just have to think: "God is in control. He knows what's best for me." That helps me "release the buyer", as you say. :)
Unless the person knows us on a deeper level, there is no loyalty. I appreciated your blog. Good job. Lu
No reason to keep trying to help somebody else's buyer.
Chuck, it's hard though isn't it? I've been sending houses to a girl for 6 months and I checked in with her this week and she said "oh, we closed on a house last month but thanks". I had another that admitted "I have a realtor but love the houses you are sending me". I deleted her and emailed her telling her good luck but she needs her realtor to do the work for you. It is hard to release but I'm working at it!
Hey Chuck... I just click delete, and say NEXT! I'm getting better at letting people go.
Hopefully they won't contact you in a month or two asking for your advice because their agent wasn't qualified and they want to ask an expert.
Good luck buyer!