Special offer
Annie Adjchavanich, CRE LA, Orange Co, SFV, South Bay, Inland Empire (Secret HQ, Inc)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I always answer my phone... I often get calls from numbers I don't recognize and they are prospective clients referred to me by past clients. Lots of people don't leave messages so I don't wait to listen to nothing.

Nov 20, 2017 11:48 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

If I am available to take the call, I answer my phone.  I wish others did the same.

Nov 20, 2017 01:03 PM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Yes, and if it is a scammer then the number gets blocked so that it wont be calling again.

Nov 20, 2017 12:37 PM
Rainmaker
757,885
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

So long as I am available to talk I will always answer the phone. Guess I am  afraid I'll miss an important call & there have been many times I'm glad I did! 

Nov 20, 2017 12:06 PM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

My out of state calls are typically someone trying to sell me something, so I don't pick these up.  I do pick up in state calls regardless of whether or not I recognize the number.

Nov 20, 2017 11:58 AM
Ambassador
2,178,433
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Since I'm mostly retired, I don't answer calls if I don't recognize the number.  If they don't leave a message I know it was someone trying to sell something... or a scammer.   Like Joe Pryor , I use Hiya and it will notify me if it is a "likely scam" call.  That's convenient.

Nov 20, 2017 11:29 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I receive soooo many calls from a variety of different states all day long....every day.... and they're all trying to sell me something relative to marketing.... I do not answer the phone if I don't recognize the number and there is no message left....leave me a message and I'll respond....

Nov 20, 2017 11:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I use Hiya and it lets me know if it is spam.

Nov 20, 2017 11:20 AM
Ambassador
5,048,728
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

USually but it depends on what I am doing. I get a lot of robocalls. 

Nov 20, 2017 11:19 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I answer if I am free

Nov 20, 2017 08:26 PM
Ambassador
5,229,322
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Absolutely! Those are leads from your website or ActiveRain! If they don't get you, they're moving on to the next person! 

 

Nov 20, 2017 04:46 PM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

If available, I answer -

Nov 20, 2017 03:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,056
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

So you know we don't answer when CoStar calls us. Incessantly. And I recognize those numbers. LOL
If I don't recognize the number and am expecting someone, I'll answer it. As a rule, local numbers are OK but they are starting to use them for telemarketers. I got a Cosmo survey scam last week! I'm still laughing about it!

Nov 20, 2017 02:57 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

    Toll free numbers go to voice mail.  Any other number is a possible customer or client.

Nov 20, 2017 02:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I normally do not answer the phone if it is an out of area phone #. Most of the time it is someone trying to sell me something. If they never leave a message then that's true.

Nov 20, 2017 02:22 PM
Rainer
182,915
Harjeet Bhatti
FITH THIRD BANK - Chicago, IL
Home Mortgage Consultant 25 States

I answer my call right away if I am available. 

Nov 20, 2017 12:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Unless you are on my favorite list, leave a message if you want to talk to me.

 

Nov 20, 2017 11:48 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,282
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

If there is no caller ID, our home phone may go to voice mail.

At the office, I answer all calls that reach my number.

Nov 20, 2017 11:17 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I don't answer if I don't know their number.

Nov 20, 2017 11:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,868
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Only if the phone doesn't identify it as spam or a telemarketer and only if I can answer the phone at that time.

Nov 21, 2017 09:10 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

I usually let it go to voicemail and then decide if I want to respond.

Nov 21, 2017 04:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Depends. But I do pick up the phone unless I"m in the middle of something. Texts are answered always much faster if you have a cell. 

Nov 20, 2017 07:58 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

I answer all unrecognized numbers unless they're 800 numbers.

Annie Adjchavanich your industry is different than residential and works at a different pace.

Nov 20, 2017 02:02 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,284
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

It depends. I try to ignore strange numbers, but there are times when it may be a customer and I take the gamble.

Nov 20, 2017 01:40 PM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

If it rings and I'm available, I pick up - every time. Unless, my phone says 'spammer' (new Verizon service). I sure do get a lot of those.

Now there's an old term, picking up the phone....

Nov 20, 2017 01:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

If I am expecting a call, I tend to answer. If not, it goes to voice for review

Nov 20, 2017 01:15 PM
Rainer
427,147
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

I always answer the phone when I can. If it is someone I do not want to talk to, I am to the point now where I will just hang up on them. The marketing salespeople are getting relentless with keeping you on the phone to sell you something.

Nov 20, 2017 12:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Annie Adjchavanich With so many spam calls, I wait for the message. If it is important, they will leave a message.

Nov 20, 2017 11:40 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I will answer.

Sep 29, 2018 02:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Message

Sep 29, 2018 02:41 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

If caller ID  number shows 000-000-0000 I do not answer it.  If I am not on another line or with a client ... I answer my phone.

Nov 21, 2017 07:03 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

I answer my calls whenever I can.

Nov 21, 2017 05:47 AM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Most of the time I answer and most of the time it is telemarketers!

Nov 21, 2017 04:43 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

If it's in my area, I answer; if it's out of area, I generally ignore as there is so much spam.  If it's my zipcode + 1st 3 digits of my phone # I ALWAYS ignore.  (my cell # is a different state anyway) - those are always spam spoofers.

Nov 21, 2017 03:55 AM
Rainer
86,514
Mike Kelly,CRS,CIPS
The MJKelly Team - Santa Rosa, CA
"One of Sonoma County's Natural Resources"

Not silly at all! We have a medical insurance carrier who's company philosophy is stalking! They call us ALL the time! If I'm in my car I just answer it. If I'm in the office and can see my cell and don't recognize then it goes to VM! My biggest fun thing is to return calls via "Sly-dial". It's for updating clients or broadcasting a new listing or price reduction to agents wiithout them having to pick up as it goes DIRECTLY to VM! Very good for updating that VERY talkative client on the listing or escrow process. Reccomend it for ALL of your TC's if they are calling clients and giving updates. 

Nov 20, 2017 08:59 PM
Rainmaker
785,106
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

I always answer my phone.

Nov 20, 2017 06:40 PM
Rainmaker
177,849
Dr. Karen Lewis, Broker 954-2489149
Align Right Realty K1 Group - Fort Lauderdale, FL
No Compromise When it Comes to Our Clients!

It depends on what I am doing. If I am in middle of something, probably not. Other than that, I will answer. I get so many marketing calls that I need a receptionist for my cell phone.

Nov 20, 2017 06:09 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Yes

Nov 20, 2017 04:37 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Annie,

I wait for the message.  There have been lots of calls lately using our area code, and I just block those that don't leave messages.

 

Nov 20, 2017 11:35 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Depends on what I am doing at the moment.

I have little desire to interrupt a face to face by answering a call from someone who wants me to advertise on the Evil Empire or ascend to page one of Google. And becoming increasingly tenacious is those folks calling from Just In Time Media. They latch on like a rabid dog. Disconnect mid-sentence has become habitual.

 

Nov 21, 2017 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Depends

Nov 21, 2017 03:33 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Depends on what I am doing but many young people eo not wait for a return call

Nov 20, 2017 06:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,556
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I still answer the phone

 

Nov 26, 2017 10:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have two new listings, I try to answer my phone each and every time.  You never know who could be on the other end.

Nov 24, 2017 05:09 AM