I am prepared for backlash.
“Real estate is a relationship business.”
If I only had a nickel.
Typically I hear the “relationship business” line when discussing technology and social media.
It isn’t about the platform it’s about the people. I completely agree.
Where I disagree is in the stance that I want to have a relationship with my Realtor.
I don’t.
In fact, I can’t even imagine it.
My argument is that I am not alone.
Unlike a lot of the general public, I have a high level of respect for your profession.
I know how hard you work.
I know how unappreciated many of the things you do are.
I know the stress and challenges that come along with earning a paycheck and paying your bills ONLY if you sell things.
I have met countless Realtors both in person and online that have blown me away with their sales ability, marketing savvy, brand building skills and digital media efforts.
While many would never put the career Realtor along side other careers like Doctor and Lawyer which require significantly more education, I would.
It still doesn’t make me want to have a relationship with you.
I view buying or selling a home as a transaction, not a process I want to get a new friend out of.
Especially on Facebook by the way.
When I leave the doctors office I certainly don’t expect to have him join me for a latte and follow me on Twitter.
Would you agree that there are a lot of consumers right now that would prefer to interact with you as little as possible, much less have a relationship with you?
Embrace that. Market that.
Try adding a page to your website that details exactly how aware of this you are and how you can actually empower them with the tools to make that happen.
Are you using DocuSign or another e-signature tool?
Let me know in your marketing what that does for me as the consumer and how it eliminates the need for as many face to face meetings.
Is texting an option as opposed to phone calls?
I would LOVE to learn that before I reach out to you.
At 2 am when my wife and I can’t sleep because we are stressed out about the process, are there articles on your site that would make us feel like we aren’t alone?
That’s the relationship with a Realtor I am looking for.
No doing lunch. No birthday cards. No golf. No friend requests.
Just handle my transaction brilliantly. (Tweet This)
Nothing more, nothing less.
I wrote this to start a conversation.
While I do expect the comment section below to fill up with disagreement, I have a hunch a handful of you will concur with my stance.
Either way I would love your opinion.
Photo credit: Flickr
