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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

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Rainer
202,852
Sarah Lynn Jaskowski
Williamsville, NY
House. Home. Today.

I try not to take calls after 8 pm and definitely don't after 9pm.  My clients know this.  To further keep evening calls at bay, my phone is set to auto-reject calls between 9p and 9a unless you're on "The List".  All text messages are silenced too.

Mar 15, 2015 06:19 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

No it's not right, Paul.  Though, I put my phone away after 7 PM.  I don't answer any calls unless I'm expecting something of importance.

Mar 15, 2015 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

My phone goes off at 7 PM, if after that, it will have to wait.

Mar 15, 2015 05:11 AM
Rainer
6,181
Irene Curry
Vienna, VA
At Your Service in Virginia & Maryland

Good Question Paul,

I used to take calls late in the evening and still do if I am in the middle of a negotiations and I know the phone number is in fact that client or other realtor.  However, I explain to my clients when we start working together that I typically have family time after 8:30pm, unless we are in the midst of a negotiation.    I also tell them if they have an urgent question to please txt me.   They are usually pretty understanding.  This sets a reasonable boundary. Some still think they should push my limits and if it is an urgent txt I will respond.  If it is not urgent I respond as soon as I can in the morning.   

Mar 15, 2015 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,781
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Paul -- it depends.   If I'm not otherwise busy or if I'm expecting a call, I will answer unless it is coming from a blocked number which I find are typically telemarketers.  

Mar 15, 2015 04:32 AM
Rainer
61,641
Renee Paray
Coldwell Banker Realty - Blue Bell, PA
REALTOR

I had the same issue but from a robo telemarketer out of Las Vegas who would call about 4 nights a week at 2:45 am. However, I do answer calls until 11:00 pm. 

Mar 15, 2015 03:35 AM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

If it's a call from an unknown number or forwarded, so no caller information is available, I might let it go to voice mail and check the message if there is one.

I love that you refer to the caller as the perp.  Hilarious.

Mar 15, 2015 03:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I thought there were limits to the hours telemarketers could call and that after 9pm is a no no.  If I am in the middle of a transaction and am expecting calls at night, it's ok, otherwise, nope.  I used to have my DND scheduled for 9pm to 8am but I recently changed it to 8pm to 9am.  The folks in my favorites group can still call earlier, but others can wait. 

Mar 15, 2015 02:32 AM
Rainer
12,445
Ashley Alred
Pullman, WA

I don't think that is right...creative on his part but rude. If I am in the middle of a deal and I get a call from a number I know at night of course I answer. But if I don't know it I let it go to voicemail. If it's a new client and we set the bar that high they will continue to treat us like that throughout the sale....maybe I don't want them in the first place. Sounds harsh I know! Leave me a message (after 8pm) and I'll call you back. If it's 7:45 I would totally answer.

Mar 15, 2015 02:23 AM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Gettign to be impossible to tell the spammers until after you answer these days

Dec 20, 2019 09:59 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

No.

Jul 25, 2018 11:52 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Coming to this after a long time...

Yes, I do take calls after 8 PM - as there is a pressing need for my client to call me.

Mar 11, 2018 09:21 PM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Sometimes, if it's related to a contract I'm working on, or related to a upcoming closing. But many times it can go to voicr mail, or they can text or email.

Mar 20, 2015 03:51 AM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

I take all calls for the school up until I hit the sack!

Mar 19, 2015 06:54 AM
Rainer
21,695
Lillie Painia, ABR,NHC,TAHS,SRS
Lillie L. Painia, Tri-R Realty Group - Missouri City, TX

It depends on the client, and whether or not we are scheduled to close in the morning. LOL

Mar 16, 2015 02:43 AM
Rainer
6,554
Marty Davis
Maumelle, AR
Getting Houses SOLD

I tell my clients up front: if we are within 72 hrs of closing or in negotiation for a property I will take their call or text any time. If not then I shut if off at 7 and open it up at 8.. but I am a morning person and I do get calls earlier on my clients commute. 

Mar 16, 2015 12:48 AM
Rainer
330,375
Donald Reich
Madison Specs - New Rochelle, NY
Cost Segregation Specialist

I take calls till at least 9 or 10 PM. But I won't call anyone after 8 unless I know that it is OK.

The telemarketer who called you after 9PM is breaking the law

Mar 15, 2015 09:33 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I do not take calls after 7pm unless I am negotiating or unless I am dealing with a client in a different time zone and we've made arrangements to speak.

Mar 15, 2015 08:51 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

It really depends on the caller. If it's an active client...well sometimes I will take the call. It depends on the situation with them. I do prefer to shut off at that time of the night, but sometimes we can't. I do think we need to send a message to our clients that we have lives, too, and we aren't there 24/7.  

Mar 15, 2015 03:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

If we know who it is we usually answer it, even if it is a client.  Otherwise they can leave a message.

Mar 15, 2015 01:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I will if I am up and especially if I am expecting a call. I will also answer texts up until bedtime. 

Mar 15, 2015 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

For me it is 11pm and then I try and screen them.  NOt many real call after that.

Mar 15, 2015 11:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,139,819
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

I answer the phone whenever I can, but there are times when I ignore it.

Mar 15, 2015 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
280,599
Jeanne Gregory
RE/MAX Southwest - Sugar Land, TX
The most important home I sell is YOURS!

I guess it's a good idea on his part, but he would have suffered my wrath. 

Mar 15, 2015 09:47 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do take calls or return them till 10 pm. But I noticed that recently less and less people call, they rather send a text message if it is urgent.

Mar 15, 2015 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
582,106
Eric Kodner
Madeline Island Realty - La Pointe, WI
CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -

There's nothing sacred about 8 pm in my book.  My Wisconsin market clients (vacation homes) are a different breed and buyers can be impulsive. I'm more tolerant of late evening calls here than I might be with our primary homes market in the Minneapolis & Saint Paul area.

Mar 15, 2015 08:27 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Rarely and I do screen them. Occasionally there are issues in a transaction that need attention immediately and I always answer those calls.

Mar 15, 2015 07:49 AM
Rainmaker
750,057
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

 I don't answer after 7 pm unless its friends,family or a renter of mine.

Mar 15, 2015 06:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

We have a forwarding service, and we do not take calls after 8PM.  Friends and clients have our cell phone # if they really need us.  By the way, our forwarding service does not transfer telemarketers.  We use a live person service, inexpensive and well worth it. A

Mar 15, 2015 06:14 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Bravo for the telemarketer who is doing what he knows works. Clearly this person is not encumbered with the IDWDT syndrome. Bravo!

Some will, some won't, so what, someone's waiting. If your business is dialing for dollars, that is what you must understand. And he calls someone else. 

Rather than resort to small mindedness, (shame on you agents)  acknowledge his dedication to principle, say thank you, good bye. 

Recognize folks who are doing what you may refuse to do and stop being small minded about the GREAT inconvenience imposed on your life.

Robo call is and ENTIRELY different thing. In that case I do respond and dig to find the person responsible. Often, it goes all the way to someone coming to the door. What happens next is the door opens, I take the picture of the surprised, hard working citizen, and share how this practice is not going to end well for them.

 

Mar 15, 2015 04:46 AM