As a veteran in the real estate marketing space, I frequently encounter situations where potential buyers, leads, or referrals from the Real Estate Database (RED) were not properly followed up to closing. When I confront agents about these missed opportunities, I often hear excuses such as the lead or potential buyer "was unserious."
This response is frustrating and concerning to me because it implies a lack of effort and professionalism on the part of the agent. It's disheartening to have to repeatedly educate agents about the importance of treating all potential clients with equal respect and diligence, regardless of their perceived seriousness.
It's baffling to me how a potential buyer could come across a 400 million or 600 million property on the Real Estate Database (RED), express interest through an inquiry, arrange for a tour of the property with a real estate agent, and often times even pay search fees, only for the agent to turn around and dismiss the lead as "unserious."
This type of behavior is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of the real estate industry. If an agent is unwilling to take all leads seriously and provide the same level of attention and service to each potential client, they may be better suited for a different line of work.
In many cases, it's the agent who is being unserious by dismissing potential leads as unimportant or not worth their time. This is evidenced by the fact that when a client is contacted after a year or more, it's often revealed that they've already purchased the property they were originally interested in through another agent who took their needs seriously.
This highlights the importance of treating all leads with respect and diligence, as failing to do so can lead to missed opportunities and a tarnished reputation within the industry. Agents who are committed to providing exceptional service to all clients, regardless of their perceived level of seriousness, are more likely to succeed in the long run and build a loyal client base.
Last year, I referred a client who was seeking office space in Old Kampala to an agent who worked in the same location. However, after a week had passed, the client reached out to me and informed me that the agent had not been able to meet their needs. When I inquired about what had happened, the agent claimed that "the referral was unserious". Despite this setback, I was determined to find a suitable agent for the client, and I referred them to another agent who also worked in the area.
To my delight, the second agent was able to secure suitable office space for the client on the very same day. This experience illustrates the importance of taking all potential leads seriously, as dismissing a lead as unserious can result in missed opportunities and a damaged reputation within the industry. In this case, it was clear that the client was indeed serious, and it was the first agent who failed to provide the necessary level of service and attention.
Therefore, a common weakness among many real estate agents is their failure to accurately assess and understand the needs of their clients. This shortcoming is often masked by the excuse that the potential buyer or lead is "unserious". Furthermore, some agents limit their clients' choices to properties within their own listing portfolio, which can be a disservice to the client's needs.
If a client is not interested in the limited listings an agent has, it is essential to reach out to other agents and expand the search to ensure the client's needs are met. Coercing the buyer into choosing from the limited stock of properties can be a recipe for disaster and can lead to a poor client experience. As real estate professionals, it is your responsibility to provide exceptional service by fully understanding your clients' needs and doing everything in your power to meet them, even if it means seeking out additional resources or partnering with other agents.
Real estate agents should avoid labeling clients as "unserious" if they don't have properties that meet their needs. Instead, they should take the time to assess the buyer's needs, budget, and preferences and provide sound advice accordingly. It's also essential for agents to be willing to reach out and collaborate with other agents, even sharing commissions, to provide the best possible service to clients.
By going above and beyond for clients and ensuring their needs are met, agents can earn their trust and satisfaction. Satisfied clients are more likely to refer others to the agent, which can lead to increased business opportunities and a more robust reputation within the industry. Ultimately, treating all clients with respect and providing exceptional service is the key to success in the real estate industry.
In addition to failing to accurately assess client needs, many real estate agents struggle with follow-up. They tend to only follow up with potential clients for a short period before shifting their focus to new leads, leaving previous leads to fall through the cracks. This failure to nurture leads is commonly referred to as "dropping the ball." To address this issue, The Real Estate Database (RED) provides a free Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool called
Task Database to its subscribers.
The
Task Database tool is very easy to use and enables agents to track and manage their leads effectively, without losing any along the way. Instead of dismissing leads as unserious, agents can use the
Task Database to stay in touch with potential clients and build long-term relationships. By maintaining a connection with these leads, agents can increase their chances of converting them into buyers in the future. Ultimately, the
Task Database provides a valuable resource for agents looking to improve their follow-up practices and build a successful real estate business.
In conclusion, it's crucial for real estate agents to follow up on every lead, rather than dismissing them as unserious. By doing so, agents can maximize their property sales, particularly those that come from referrals or leads generated by the Real Estate Database (RED). Agents should take the time to assess client needs, provide sound advice, and use effective follow-up tools such as the Task Database to nurture leads and build long-term relationships. By providing exceptional service and prioritizing the needs of their clients, real estate agents can increase their chances of success in the industry and establish a reputation as a trusted and reliable resource for buyers and sellers alike.