To that end, I recently got my first iPhone. And, to use a cliche, "It has changed my life". Wow, what a dynamite little device. It has so many handy uses, but the main thing that is making it essential to my business is texting.
Now, I've always been a bit of a texter. But, I usually used it to see what time my husband was going to be home or to ask him to pick up some milk. Or, to find let a friend know I was running late for a dinner date. You get the picture.
Little did I realize how much people around me were texting in the everyday real estate world! I recently negotiated a contract via text. And, I've started communicating with buyers via text instead of phone -- they seem to like that. I recently had a buyer walk into the office that was driving around the neighborhood inquiring about houses -- we were texting and then he stopped in to say hello. Very cool indeed.
One caveat: You have to be really careful with the "auto spell checker". I recently sent the following texts to buyer prospects:
"Are you looming for a house in the neighborhood?" AND "What other Indonesia can I send about the house?"
Seriously, this whole texting thing has really changed the way I communicate with buyers and agents. And, it has raised an interesting question. "How much texting is appropriate and at what point do people get pissed off?" Surprisingly, I haven't really had anyone send me a text back asking me not to contact them. I do have lots of people who simply don't respond. But, if someone calls to inquire about a property, is it OK to text them to make sure they got all the info they needed? Is it then OK to also text them if that property is reduced in price or is going to be open that weekend?
I'm not the most pushy salesperson ever and I certainly don't want to intrude on people. And, I know for some people texting is expensive (if you don't get unlimited texts). So, how much is too much?
Would love for agents or buyers to chime in! And, happy texting....
