I don't pick up calls after 7pm unless I'm negotiating or unless I've made arrangements with clients to speak with them after that time frame. But that doesn't mean I don't check to see if calls haven't come in that I might need to address. It's rare that something can't wait until the next morning.

Hella, Each and every day is unique and different.  I know that I MUST take care of myself. After I have churned 12+ hours it is more likely than not a good decision to shut down and take care of ME.  I am no good to anyone if I am worn down and/or sick because I am ALWAYS available to my clients and others.  I know what is going on in my business and what is a priority and what can wait.  My POLICY is to decide in the moment if I need to pick up a call ... or if it can wait.  Being Connected is a choice. 

I prefer to shut down at 8 pm...which is coming up shortly, I just realized. If an offer is being negotiated, or there is a time difference, or something needs to be ready for first thing in the morning, then I will make an exception. Otherwise, there are few life-or-death situations and most calls can wait until morning.

persoanlly I have guidelines and that is normally 6:00 PM central time. However, I do have California investors with a two hour difference, so I try to be flexible on the first call after this time.

I turn off my phone at 9.  I need the break!

7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 7 days a week...Lets do business

Hella,

I think this has to be established at the beginning of a relationship with your buyers and sellers.  Just like you establish best ways to communicate and best times to call.  We did that successfully.  A

I don't have a rigid schedule that I stick to but I'd prefer evening calls to early morning.  I don't answer my phone in the AM until at least 10 and often later.  That's what VM is for

No calls during dinner time with the better half and definitely none after 8:30pm.

If it is a relocation client that would be the exception.

I don't answer my cell after 6:30.  I am not a night person but you can pretty much reach me during civilized time.

Until the 'Sandman' knocks on my eyelids, the trellyphone gets answered.

Hi Hella - I like answering my phone late at night, on the assumption that whoever is calling does not want to talk to me but wants to leave a message.

If I'm not doing anything special, I might be tempted to answer.  But if I'm in the middle of something fun, I'll return the call in the morning.

I will take most calls up to 9PM. After that time...no one really has any business calling me. I also won't take calls before 7AM. Just ask the person that called me before that time on a Sunday morning. 

Most of the people I work with are very respectful of my time after hours (in the evenings). I find it is not a problem getting many calls after hours so when I do I know they are important.

I train my clients, friends and agents. I answer my phone and find that it is not abused.

I've been reprimanded by my family for answering too late into the night. It's sometimes hard not to if you're in the middle of a deal.

8 pm unless it is a total emergency - I will monitor my phone until about 10 but after that - no way! they would have to text me that their house - my listing - is burning about their ears for me to call them back! 

Firm policy. Hard pass. Rare exceptions. 7 p.m. MST is my drop dead for work calls. I'm up bright and early the next morning. It can wait.

I dont answer Sunday morning.

I have to agree with Kathleen Daniels - unless I'm negotiating, it's my choice whether to pick up the phone or get back to them in the morning! 

My phone goes to silent after a certain hour. And yes, sometimes, I will still look to see who is calling and depending on who it is, I may still answer. There rarely are true "real estate emergencies" that couldn't wait until the morning when everyone else is back at work to help resolve a situation. 

I do monitor my calls after 8 PM but if I am waiting for a call I will accept it at any hour...

7am to 9pm is the policy unless specific other arrangments have been previously made.

You have to set the boundaries. Case in point - call at 7:30pm on a Sunday. No need to call me then for what the agent wanted. I called her today this morning. She knew it was incorrect but decided to do it anyway.

LOL, what line? If I'm awake, I can be reached.

I don't have a firm policy so it depends on the caller, an dif we are negotiating. Seems more people either text or send an email if it's later in the evening, but I've been on the phone as late as 11 pm when in a negotiation

when I was actively listing property, I answered the phone.... period.... no line drawn...  now, since I only do marketing, there's a line... definite line!

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® No calls after business hours.

If I am available to answer a call, I answer.  If not, there is voicemail and I return calls as I deem appropriate.   I do not have a firm policy nor do I draw lines --- I'm more abstract.    

No. Caller ID helps.

Hella we typically don't answer our cell phones after 7 - unless it's from a client with an offer in the works that needs attention right away.  We also have an answering service that knows to text us if it's important - or email if it can be handled in the morning.

I keep it very subjective.  I understand the need to 'step away' and get in time that's not focused on work, but if I'm available, I'll answer.  I work primarily with real estate agents on both coasts ---- I'm working the hours they are, so that allows for a lot of freedom, but it also means that more often than not, I'm taking calls on weekends and at weird hours.  

Hello Hella,  I guess I answer to much but cut it off at 9 pm  I know I should cut it off by 7 but     

Where do you draw the line?

This has never been a problem.

I would ask, "When is it proper to refuse a child that needs help?"

Those who understand what the 'child' needs also will know how to manage their 'call in; business.

Those who refuse to manage their business establish simplistic rules that will create an invalidation of who they say they are.

The right answer to your question depends on what the caller heard when the call was not picked up that assured them what would happen next.

We have a virtual receptionist (that we found via Ron and Alexandra Seigel ) that answers the phone 24/7/365.

They text and email us and we return the call as quickly as our schedule permits.

Typical "live answer" time for us - 9am -3pm Monday - Friday...

The only thing that is firm is nothing is firm. I set my cell phone to mute calls at 9pm to 7am. As it will ring all night. If i am up and see it flash, i will look at the number and may even answer. 

No I am not firm about it at all.

I got a call last night at 10:00 to write an offer on a condo - glad I answered LOL

My very first Broker taught me, you control your business or it will control you. I am personable to a certain level with my clients/customers and let them know I go to bed early among other things I do to let them know how and when I do business. In other words, you cannot call/text or email at all hours of the night and expect me to answer. I make it clear, unless they are locked out of their home or some strange thing has happened regarding their listing, like someone supposedly there to show their home at 9pm,  I will respond the next morning, normally around 8-9am. If they don't listen, they get return calls from me at 5:00am when I'm up early.....7 days a week. That normally puts a stop to 11pm calls/texts. I make it a point control my business. 

It depends! Last night I was on the phone until 9ish handling a bunch of things with a client, but usually I'm done by 8. And dinner time/jeopardy time is a no-phone-zone for me. 

I receive very few late calls related to real estate. But I welcome texts any time. 

Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor® - well, at times I had to call my clients very late at night - to resolve some issues. Of course it won't be midnight.

Typically 9 p.m. is my cutoff point for answering calls from people I don't know.  If it's a client, I'll take a call through about 10 if we have something urgent going on (e.g. negotiating an offer).

   I am cell phone only.  It gets turned off around 8:00PM Eastern time.

I don't have a firm policy but do like the fact I have the choice depending on the degree of urgency of the matter.

I have a time that my work email automagically shuts off on my phone.  If I'm expecting a call or have some urgent issues to address, I'll monitor after this time.  Otherwise I don't pickup or reply until the next day.

I encourage my agents to always answer theri phones...it could be the next big asle.   buyers willnot wait and will call the next on e on the list.

I usually do not answer after hours there are exceptions there are many days my phone goes in another room and is not looked at until morning!