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

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
1,052,186
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

They don't like leaving voicemails because they're not interested in getting a return call in my case. If you're not a friend or an existing client, and I don't know who you are, you can call me 500 freaking times and if you don't leave me a GD voicemail, I'm never going to call you back. The professionals I work with and the high-quality clients leave voicemails.

Mar 17, 2018 08:30 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

My thought:  Instant gratification.  I want what I want NOW. If people can't get it they move on to something else ... and don't want to take the time to leave a message. And then there are those that leave a book long message ...

Mar 17, 2018 08:27 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

 No message = no returned call.

Mar 17, 2018 08:30 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

My life could be so much easier with a simple message asking what they need to know...

Mar 17, 2018 08:15 AM
Ambassador
5,048,858
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I'm sure glad more of the telemarketers don't leave messages. If I can't take a call I always appreciate a message so I can plan when I return it.

Mar 17, 2018 08:58 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

If someone really wants a response, they need to leave a message. Unless it's someone I know, and then I'll call back anyway.

Mar 17, 2018 09:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm with Fred on this one.  No message = spammer

Mar 17, 2018 08:59 AM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I agree some people do not like leaving a message.  I don't know why as I agree with you.

Mar 17, 2018 09:32 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,370
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Texting has become so popular, people use their cell phones for everything but talking it seems. 

Mar 17, 2018 08:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

When I get a call from an unknow number, I often ignore it. My thought is…If it is important, someone I know, someone to whom I want to talk, they will leave a voice mail. Otherwise, it is likely spam. If there is no VM it could not have been important.

Mar 17, 2018 08:42 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I have a rule....I don't have clients.... when I get a phone call and I don't recognize the number, if there's not a voicemail, there's NO return phone call.... I had decades of that damn phone attached to me ... builders who wanted immediate pick ups....and they got it.... this was before iphones.... I had a phone in every room in my home, bathrooms included.... done with it... 

Mar 17, 2018 08:31 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I don't have that problem... people do leave messages, and also text me... but I must say I answer my phone 99.% of the time until I turn it off around 10:30 so there is no need to leave a message...

Mar 17, 2018 08:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,623
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I never call people back unless they leave a voice-mail.

I often call people instead of texting them back too.

Mar 17, 2018 10:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Voicemail and email always work best when I'm face to face with customers and clients they're my primary focus. Repeated texts bug the hell out of me and will rarely be responded to. If there's no blood it's not an emergency!

Mar 17, 2018 09:29 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,042
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Paul-the reasons are likely as numerous as the number of prople.  

I can offer no scientific evidence. 

 

Mar 17, 2018 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,435,300
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

I totally agree I have told people if you leave me a voicemail I can have an answer before I call back!

Mar 17, 2018 01:49 PM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I've noticed that too, Paul and it is ever-so frustrating! You're so right - I also like to be prepared when I return a call and it saves them time too...and often another call to get the answer too!

Mar 17, 2018 01:21 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

I would definitely leave you a message.  If someone does not leave a message (unless we know them) is not really interested in a call back.  A

Mar 17, 2018 12:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Agreed .... what's with that. I had a buyer once call me back like 20 times & when I finally caught him I asked just that 'why didn't you leave a message'? He didn't have an answer.

Mar 17, 2018 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

Or listen to voicemails that we leave...?! 

Mar 17, 2018 10:51 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,402
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

They will leave a message when they really want a return call.

Mar 17, 2018 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
191,939
Erika Rae Albert, Austin Real Estate Expert
E-Rae Realty - Austin, TX
Exceeding Expectations in Every Transaction

I rarely leave voicemails.  I DO text if someone doesn't answer.

Mar 17, 2018 08:48 AM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Often this is a cold calling technique.  If you see the same number a few times not leaving a message, it is probably someone trying to sell you something. You will most likely pick up just to find out who they are after the 3rd attempt and then they can give you their sales pitch.

Mar 17, 2018 01:29 PM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Many dont listen to the voicemails that I leave, they just call back, or worse text back.

Mar 17, 2018 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

I seem to notice that some people do that. They will call 4 to 5 times, and never leave a message.

Mar 17, 2018 09:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Exactly, I believe Candice A. Donofrio nailed it

Mar 18, 2018 03:44 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Good question Paul.

Mar 17, 2018 07:20 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I wish I knew the answer to that. If I call someone and it goes to VM I always leave some sort of message even if it's "don't worry about calling me back."

Mar 17, 2018 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Voice mails are very useful; after all we literally can't be at the phone all the time. If you state your "business" properly, especially if you need a reply, your counterpart can [research and] provide the answer with a return vm instead of trading calls, not knowing why you're calling.

Mar 17, 2018 01:32 PM
Rainmaker
544,014
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

If I get voice mail I often hang up and send a text. That saves the recipient time. Quicker to read a text than sift through voice mail.

Mar 17, 2018 11:52 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I think those that hang up are in a hurry and since you did not answer the phone they are either going to text you, email you or call someone else.

Mar 17, 2018 11:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,153
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

This is a fair question. I suspect it is because they changed their minds when you didn't answer

Mar 17, 2018 09:35 AM
Rainmaker
269,059
Terri Woods
Benton, Linn and Douglas Counties - Days Creek, OR
Selling Homes and Land in Oregon

Text. I hate leaving voicemail even though I do. I either text or email. Great for record keeping too.

Mar 26, 2018 10:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

Honestly I am not sure why they don't many treat them as though they are just pagers... even after I have left a detailed vmm for them that asks questions. Most of the time they call back and just say "Call Me"

Or even more a waste of time, I will call someone leave them a message they will call back later and get me live. But they haven't bothered to listen to the message I left them... Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, 

Mar 22, 2018 12:33 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I am finding that is true here too.    If you don't answer, you then get a text.   If you did not answer, you COULD be on the phone or with clients.

Mar 20, 2018 07:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm not sure, but most of calls that I receive that do not leave VM are marketers. 

Mar 19, 2018 01:54 PM
Rainer
370,200
Jay McHugh
SendOutCards-Appreciation Marketing Expert - Acton, MA
YOUR SendOutCard Mentor

they are lazy, are coached poorly, have an attitude etc......

 

always leave a voice mail.... courtesy etc......

Mar 18, 2018 09:33 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

Takes too long - hopefully they followup with a text once they know you aren't available...

Mar 18, 2018 06:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, They want an instant answer and don't have time to leave a voice mail because they are calling another agent. If they don't leave a voice mail and I don't recognize their telephone number, they never get a call back.

Mar 18, 2018 06:43 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Invalid question.

The real question is 'Why didn't you answer the phone?"

When the voice mail prompt comes up, the callers assumes what the future holds and they go to the next number or activity.

Of course, one could argue 'They did leave a message" and left their tele  number behind. Now youi get to leave a voice message.

Mar 18, 2018 06:32 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

This irritates me as well.  Some think because of caller ID and number capture, you will call back.  I no longer will do that.

Mar 18, 2018 05:53 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I find the same here, many calls when i am on the other line or with a client and no voice mail

Mar 18, 2018 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®,CRS, - there are quicker ways to communicate.

At times, some of my clients just send me the text instead of leaving a voice message.

Mar 17, 2018 08:56 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

Instant gratification is the problem. If they can't get what they want immediately, they move on.

Mar 17, 2018 05:46 PM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I agree, I'd rather know who called and be able to have an answer when I call back. I always leave messages. -k

Mar 17, 2018 05:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,292,363
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

I find when I leave messages for younger people they never listen to them, they see you called and call back. Better still they prefer if you text.

Mar 17, 2018 02:29 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

These days I prefer to text .

Mar 17, 2018 10:32 AM