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Barbara Todaro, Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team (RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired )

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

One of the great things about email. And text.

Jun 25, 2017 03:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

You know if I get any weird vibe or find out they are not going back with my correct instructions we immediately switch to email where there's a copy. I also write down counters.

Jun 25, 2017 02:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I was taught that in real estate school in 1989 and drilled into me by my first broker and thanks for that. That includes for us emails and text.

Jun 25, 2017 01:08 PM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

Yes!!!!! Everything.

Jun 25, 2017 01:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

As a matter of fact I do. Communications are via gmail and all are saved.

 

Jun 25, 2017 12:55 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Barbara,

We used to have a sheet stapled in the file, and we would record every phone call, date time, and subject matter.  We would even save the phone slip that our assistant had.  A

Jun 25, 2017 12:39 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Absolutely ... 100%  YES.  15 years of being a paralegal documenting is now in my DNA. 

Jun 25, 2017 04:40 PM
Ambassador
3,587,960
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes and there was one time years ago that somebody accused me of something that just wasn't so.  I had all my notes and that  agents story went away in a heartbeat.

Jun 25, 2017 03:11 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Yes.  

If it isn't in writing, it never happened.

Jun 25, 2017 01:30 PM
Ambassador
2,061,814
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I don't document every conversation... I should, but I don't.

I do like an email or text trail as much as possible.  But sometimes a telephone conversation is unavoidable, and I don't always have time to document it.

Jun 25, 2017 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

What Candice A. Donofrio said!

Jun 26, 2017 07:17 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

YES!!

I recently had to reduce one cooperating agent to email or text - absolutely no more phone conversations. I was finding that the conversations were not remembered the same way that I had written in my notes.

The 'drama' very quickly ceased after having to have BOTH parties write all correspondence! 

Jun 25, 2017 08:24 PM
Ambassador
6,393,494
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

A paper trail is always important, especially when dealing with government agencies.

 

Jun 25, 2017 08:10 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

I have notebooks going back to 2009 when I became a broker. I note down every call and what it is about. Then I email to confirm whatever it is we talked about. Nowadays, also text when I want their attention with an overview of what I'm calling or emailing about.

Jun 25, 2017 06:54 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Yes I do..paper trails are so important.

Jun 25, 2017 04:05 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

This is a great habit to develop, if you don't do it already.  Plus with electronic storage, the file in the cloud can be copied as well and automatically you have a permanent record of all correspondence with the deal.

Jun 25, 2017 03:07 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Wish I could say yes,but not a chance. A bit too trusting,but there are times when I over document 

Jun 25, 2017 03:00 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Only when necessary and if the other agent is not cooperating or responding accordingly. 

Jun 25, 2017 02:44 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

YES because you never know and it is the right way to do business. 

Jun 26, 2017 06:04 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I document every conversation I have with all parties to a transaction.  I confirm with email and keep the original notes as part of my file.

Jun 26, 2017 05:48 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

I try to get as much in writing as possible. There are certain agents that are very shady so I try to communicate only in writing.

Jun 26, 2017 05:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Depends who that agent is !

Jun 26, 2017 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Document conversations as part of the broker file.  

Jun 26, 2017 05:28 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

Not verbal ones, but I try to confirm anything verbal with a written email or text which can be saved.

Jun 26, 2017 05:28 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

It's a very good idea to do that!

Jun 26, 2017 05:13 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

You bet!

Jun 26, 2017 04:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Anything that needs documenting I document but just those things that would be needed to CYA 

Jun 26, 2017 02:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
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

emails, text and a transaction journal for phone calls are all kept for 2 years past COE minimum.

Jun 25, 2017 09:16 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Barbara Todaro -  if something that really needs to be 'captured' - yes. Followed by the email for the confirmation of what we talked.

Jun 25, 2017 09:13 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Phone calls no, texts and emails yes.

Jun 25, 2017 08:21 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes, Yes, Yes

Jun 25, 2017 08:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Document as if your life depends on it, and it does!

Jun 25, 2017 07:57 PM
Rainmaker
785,475
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

Yes all the time.

Jun 25, 2017 06:47 PM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Yes, by detailing the conversation in a follow up email.  Gotta keep records of things people say on the phone.  

Jun 25, 2017 06:42 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

Since most agents love texting, I have a written record in case I need it. So for I haven't.

Jun 25, 2017 06:34 PM
Rainer
86,514
Mike Kelly,CRS,CIPS
The MJKelly Team - Santa Rosa, CA
"One of Sonoma County's Natural Resources"

Since most is done via text or email you've got a nice record. I had a selling agent virtually hang himself via text! His broker tried to come after us for changing the brokerage fee when his agent basically gave away the store on their end. As we found from a former FBI Director, TAKE NOTES!

Jun 25, 2017 05:51 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,139
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is is a good business practice.

Jun 25, 2017 05:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Barbara Todaro Absolutely! If you ever have to go to court or in front of the Board, it will pay to have a good paper trail. My documentation saved me a good portion of my fee when the listing agent changed the coop fee in the MLS.

Jun 25, 2017 05:07 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Pretty much. There are some conversations that don't need documentation and it's easy to know which ones.

Jun 25, 2017 04:03 PM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

You bet. That's what I like about email, in addition to my own notes

Jun 25, 2017 03:46 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Only if it is important & of course required. I prefer we both be crystal clear

Jun 25, 2017 03:18 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thanks.

Jun 25, 2017 01:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Not sure I will do that.  Unless it is in the contract, verbal agreement and eMail means little with clients. eMail carries some weight at court I was told.

Jun 25, 2017 01:30 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I put all emails into a file, and put the .txt file onto a disk after closing.    Just in case....

Jun 28, 2017 06:14 AM
Rainer
92,713
Ruth Grainger-Starr
Gold District Realty - Cripple Creek, CO
providing AWESOME real estate adventures

Yes, I do keep track of all conversations with other agents on a deal. Keeps all parties informed. 

Jun 27, 2017 01:56 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

I do both emails and text.

Jun 26, 2017 09:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

email correspondence works best

Jun 26, 2017 10:19 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

For the most part yes - there are somethings I do not but they tend to be trivial - "Can the buyers get in again to measure" etc

Jun 26, 2017 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

the older I get the more I take notes.

Jun 26, 2017 08:37 AM