Last spring, and upon a personal recommendation, I contacted a realtor (R1) in F'ton. It took him about a week to respond to my email, during which time I rec'd no auto-response. Eventually, I decided to chat with someone else (R2), also recommended, because R1 and I just didn't seem like a good fit. When I originally emailed R2 in July, it took about a week for her to respond and only after a second message. She had been understandably delayed because of some family issues. But, I also hadn't received any kind of auto-response indicating that she was out of the office, etc. I emailed her on 29 August and haven't yet received a reply. I sent the same message again the other day. Still no response.
What I'm trying to balance is this - I don't want to be a pain in the ass "American" who is used to rapid turnaround with what I would call business requests and just needs to chill. But, I also need to know that someone is going to be responsive. How can I figure out if this (emerging) pattern is just how business is done in this smaller, slower environment as opposed to it just being my dumb luck to have encountered a couple of less responsive folks?
Any thoughts?
10 months ago
6 comments:
Not knowing what the questions are makes it a bit more difficult to give an opinion. Is it general, "no big rush" kind of stuff, or more time-sensitive?
Based on the info you gave, it appears R2 has been given ample opportunities to respond and I would move on to R3.
Being in real estate myself - or used to be when we actually had a market! - there is no excuse I can come up with for such delayed responses. Unless the agent never got the original message, which seems unlikely.
Since you were referred to both people, can you check with the people who did the referring to see if this is typical behaviour?
The agents we have had dealings with in BC have been most responsive and informative even in the hyper-busy market there. I can't imagine the F'ton market being that much more active . . . .
Does this mean you are contemplating buying now rather than renting?
I had contacted her with some specific questions about neighborhoods so, given our time frame, no "big rush," but specific questions, yes. And, no, the market is not "hot" at all.
Her website has had the "tip of the week" posted as recently as last week so unless someone else does that she's around. It also has lots of "testimonials" about her efficiency, etc. Of course, if there are "negatives," those wouldn't get posted. They guy who recommended her just raved.
Yes, we're looking into buying. If we're willing to make the commitment we can easily buy for less than what we'd pay for what we need to rent - you know, pets and all! Learning about Canadian mortgages is another story altogether!
Thanks for your thoughts! Watch for the next installment!
I started my legal career as a residential real estate lawyer. I hate to be blunt, but the atmosphere here is, you snooze, you lose.
Realtors here make good $$ (easily 3% , 6% if they work both sides) on the sale of a house. I've seen realtors make $75,000 in one closing for doing little more than making a few calls.
A realtor should be working for you and if they are not responsive now, he/she may not be the one who will represent you well.
I can't imagine not getting back to a potential client in less than 24 hours!
I agree with all the advice. We're dealing with realtors now and we are offering full 6% as the best incentive, so I expect fast responses and an eagerness to please us. I prefer e-mail contact and they have been great at responses so far.
Today is a caravan of realtors and this weekend is our 2nd open house.
Expect the best customer service, dump them both.
Thanks for your thoughts. I agree completely... here. I have a feeling that in the Maritimes there may be a different "sensibility." Not sure, but I have a feeling...
Nonetheless, chalk something up to "psychic energy" or some such. Last night I received 9 emails from R2 and another this morning in reply to my response. I think I'll stick it out for a bit since there's still time to move on if she disappears again. BTW, in case you're wondering what the 9 emails could possibly have been. It was one message and a bunch of "realtor only info" on some places I'd asked about.
Thanks, again!
I agree with west end bound...
It looks like R2 has been providing opportunities to respond and I would also move on to R3.
Not that it will make considerable difference, I would go with what your guts tells you.
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