Well, at least the seller was in pajamas. Whether or not I was is my secret. Up until now I have always been fully committed to getting in front of ALL parties to a listing appointment in full, living, REAL LIFE color. (If I hadn't put words to this before I knew I felt strongly when I read J Philip Faranda's excellent post on why this matters.) I want to see their facial expressions, feel the vibe in the room and let them look me in the eye when I speak. I want to know that we all heard the same things being said and are all on the same page when we make a decision that matters deeply to the owners of a home about to go on the market. If we are going to work together, we need to build a trust based relationship. That’s one tough job on a faceless phone call.
So this past week when I got a call to discuss listing a Chapel Hill property with some out of town sellers who had been badly burned by their previous listing agent, they were ready to jump in their car and drive to Chapel Hill to do this face to face. They clearly wanted to assess my worthiness for their business as much as I want to prove it.
As we talked it became clear that they are very busy medical professionals and that a run to Chapel Hill was not something they really wanted to do. It was simply that the situation was dire. They have vacated the home here and it has languished on the market since last July. They really need to get it sold. “You don’t need to come here,” I told them. “Since you’ve told me where the key is hidden I can get inside the house and really get a feel for what we may need to do to get it market ready. Do you use SKYPE?” “Why, yes, we do!”
Sunday morning, bright and early, we met for coffee…virtually. I was able to share all the information they needed to make an informed decision and catch the vibe when one of them looked confused or questioning. It worked beautifully. Before we hung up they had decided to work with me and I had committed to meeting the contractors at their Chapel Hill home on Tuesday.
We will meet again this Sunday morning and go over the NC Listing Agreement then sign it….virtually. Between SKYPE and DOCUSIGN I am able to make their difficult situation much easier and still get the trust building value of Face-to-Face contact that I need. I can truly say that there are many more days when technology has made my business easier than not…and it rocks!
It's Simple...When You Have A Great Agent!
SarahGray Lamm is a licensed, full time, residential real estate professional in the Raleigh Durham area of North Carolina with over 60,000 hours of experience. She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home sellers, home buyers and investors in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Durham and Northern Chatham County and is proudly associated with Allen Tate Realtors, the Carolinas #1 independent realty company.
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Wow. I also like to sit down with people, I like to go over the contract in detail so they can understand what they're signing. But in cases like this, it is wonderful to have this technology to make it easier on everyone. Congrats! (Suggested)
Sarah,
Technology is awesome, especially when you can list a home from your computer.
Thanks Joetta and Nancy! Technology has finally hit a point where it is practically seamless and what a time saver for many folks, including me!
That's great....I swear someday we are never going to need to leave our homes to do anything.
So true Karen! Except maybe breathe sea air and listen to the ocean...I couldn't do with out either!
Sarah - first of all - it's so nice to see you! Our paths haven't crossed lately. This is a great post. It really shows the unigue way we can all 'WOW the client by using tools that help them - and us - make it so much easier. Snuggle up and get those jammies back on!!
Featured in BananaTude!
I think social media negates a lot of the need for meeting face-to-face these days. Good or bad, if it works, why not, right!
This is great...I prefer face to face but I think in this era of technology....we have to be flexible and do what is best for the client....I like to call my clients on the phone....but a number of them prefer email or text messages....I do what works for them....and it sounds like you do to! Love the title of this blog!
Gotta love all these tools! I love Skype but have never used it this way, ingenious idea.
I love it! Skpe and Docu-sign to the rescue! Glad you got the listing and could help them list and shortly sell their home. Good Luck - post the listing on AR! Who knows...I may have a buyer!
Great story! isn't technology grand!!! you are a magnet for business when you put that positive, professional energy out there, now its time to sell!!!
SarahGray - I love this story. It's amazing how much business we can handle using virtual means today. I'm glad you mentioned Docusign, since I keep meaning to get an account there. :)
Awesome post Sarah. Technology is driving real estate quickly down a path where laptops will soon be out and all of my agnets will be using ipads and generating tons of sales on the fly! Great Job on being very very efficient not only for your own business but for your clients!
Cory Barbee, Team Leader
Keller Williams North County San Diego
http://www.sandiegocareerinrealestate.com
Wow, great article ... thanks so much for sharing !
I would not have thought to use SKYPE for R E transaction.
You go Sarah !
I haven't exactly negotiated a RE transaction over the web... but in the past I've had renters occupy a home completely over text and email. The future is now!
Just imagine 10 years ago when it would have been more difficult to accomodate everyone. Isn't technology awesome!
Sarah, I live and work at the coast and I have listed and sold quite a few homes without ever meeting the sellers. Like you, I prefer face to face. After all, one of the reasons I chose this profession is I really LIKE people. However, it's my job to meet their needs. Often driving back to the beach house they've already divorced themselves from emotionally, is not what they want to do. Thank goodness with the technology available to us today, we can get the job done - virtually!
Great post!
Sarah - That's so cool.... this technology thingy? As long as you stay up close to the camera and they can't see you... lol It's saved my business this year as well.. Congrats and best of luck in the new year as well...Lovin Skype and Docusign as well :-)
SarahGray: This post makes me so proud that I adopted you! Wow ... what a fantastic idea as to how to utilize technology in a very wise ... and more personal fashion! It's getting to be fewer and fewer face-to-face opportunities exist ... but as Jane says, if it works ... why not???
A big thumbs-up!!
Gene
SarahGray,
Skype and IM and Docusign all make face to face meetings less of a requirement. If a great deal of travel is involved them its even better.
-Brent
I can't wait for the day where I do my first listing presentation via Skype.
That's great. And it's just like that . . . whether in person, or virtually. When you click, you click!
I just figured out Google Chat this week and intend to figure out Skype the next week or so. Good post! What color were the PJ's?
This is a great way to make use of technology to be efficient and still be able to keep it personal.
My head spins with all the technology out there. I try my best to keep up with it! I know it works, I want it to work for me!
Love it! If I could find the patience to set up electronic signature I would be set.
Great post! Technology is awesome, Congrats on your listing.
Hi SarahGray, isn't technology great?! I'm glad everything worked out. Good going!
Cheers from Lake Tahoe,
~Grace Yee
Sounds like you did a great job building trust in the seller. And don't you just love how technology has made our real estate lives so much easier?
Most of my listings are taken via email or over the phone. I've probably physically been on less than 10 listing appointments in the last 4 years. It's a GREAT way to do business in my opinion.
Way to go!!
This is such a great story and an example of being flexible without sacrificing the personal/face to face connection, love it!
Hi SarahGray -- After getting to know you on here, it's so easy to understand how these previously burned clients can become instant fans of yours as you add so much value professionally, let alone your incredible caring attitude. What skype offering do you use? The 2.99 per month? I haven't used it before, but am debating ditching my 29.99 per month landline that I hardly ever use.
I'm so sorry all! I have been out of pocket for two days and didn't realize I had been featured! Thank you for some great comments and making me laugh! So let me get at it....
@Anna, honey...thank you for a feature worth as much to me as an AR feature! P.S. Glad to be back myself...lots of end of the year drama but I'm back in the saddle!
@Jane and Deborah...absolutely! If it works for everyone I'm all about it!
@Corinne.. glad to plant the seed! I bet you do it soon!
@K.C....I always post listings on AR so bring it on! I'd love to work with you!
@Malik...I love the idea of being the positive side of the magnet! Thanks!
@Jason...glad to help kick you in the butt! Docusign is the bomb! You will never regret it!
@Cory... I am on the "Wait list" for the new iPad cuz I have big plans for it! In the mean time I have my listing presentation on my laptop AND my iPhone!
@Fay, Torgie, Patrick...I think sometimes it's a matter of getting to know the technology then just being able to suggest it when it feels right!
@Marian...I can understand that completely. These are the folks who need us to be creative!
@Robert...How did you know I checked out the "close up" before I Skyped them? ;-)
@Gene...I never HAD a big brother but am proud to be adopted by you! I mean, I ASSUME you didn't mean I am the big sister?!?! ;-)
@Brent...that's pretty much what gave me the idea! ;-)
@Justin...I bet it it will be sooner than you think!
@Carla...hey girl, we can't ALL be on t.v.! ;-)
@Cheryl...am I that transparent? LOL
@Christine...that's what I LOVED about it...seeing their emotions is SO important!
@Carey...one thing at a time and one day it all falls into place!
@Billie...Docusign makes the electronic signature a no brainer!
@Dinah and Grace...thank you! Oh, and thanks for the reblog Grace!
@Bernadine...no matter how we do it, trust requires face to face, don't you think ?
@Bryant...since you have the phone part down if you add Skype I imagine you will be golden! Heck, you'll be invincible!
@Diane...thanks! I thought it was inspired!
@Chris...Aww shucks, Chris...the feeling is mutual! And BTW, it was the free version of Skype! I haven't completely ditched my landline cuz too many nontech agents around here still need a fax machine ;-( but I only pay for local. All my LD is on my mobile or Skype!
I have never looked into Skype, maybe it is time huh?
Nope! You're my much younger, little and very smart sister .... feel better???
Gene
Sarah,
I love Skype. Isn't it wonderful how that nifty tool has come to the rescue on so many occasions, and now this?