Buyer REA question

RJ31205

If you're using a REA on your hunt for a new home, do you communicate mostly via email or phone? And what do y'all think is an appropriate "lag time" if communicating via email?

I prefer to do everything via email. I am unable to make calls during the day for the most part and I like to have everything in "hard copy" anyway. That way I can refer back to the email/info whenever I want to. It also gives me time to compose them and really think about what I'm trying to say so as not to forget anything. It's just the way I prefer to do things in general, not just when it comes to buying a home!

I really like my REA on the buying end in everything BUT this area. We sent her an email on Monday about seeing some homes this weekend, and I sent another one yesterday and still haven't heard back from her. Yes, I could call, but I guess I feel that the REA should do it the way I am most comfortable. Am I wrong? Would someone please tell me if I'm being unreasonable? I'll probably call this afternoon anyway, but I just want to know if I'm being ridiculous in how I want to communicate! I can take it, tell me how it is

*speedracer*

mine doesn't always respond right away but if i need to get something done within a day or so i'll just call and leave him a message.  i would be more annoyed they aren't getting back to you at all, it's not really a phone vs email issue if she isn't returning your message from monday.

MaineWifey

I think all messages should be returned with in 24 hours no matter how the message was delivered, phone, email, smoke signals, it doesn't matter is good customer service and courteous. 

sctiger

We communicate via e-mail, except when we were in offer/counter offer mode.  Our REA is extremely fast.  I don't think I've waited more than an hour or so to hear back.

starinyte

99% of the time, we communicated with our REA by email. She almost always responded within an hour or two. Even if I emailed her at 10 pm at night! She's a crazy workaholic, I think. But of course, I really appreciated that about her.

Shanna7105

I work in a real estate office with agents, and I am getting my license soon, so I can tell you that you can communicate however you want. A realtor most likely should habe a smart phone by now (like a blackberry) so when you send them e-mail, they get it on their phone right away. If they are not answering your e-mail within 24 hours, call.  If they don't retuen that either, then you need a new agent. Seriously.  Communication is the key, and time is everything.  They need to be in contaxt with you at all times, and it shouldt take that long to contact you back.  And you should communicate with them however you are comfortable, it doesnt matter at all. GL!

RJ31205

Thanks for the responses! So I'm not crazy, which is good to know If this was the first time she was slow, I wouldn't worry too much about it, but it seems like every time I email her, we wonder if we'll hear back. I don't know if it's just because she's older and maybe not as computer saavy or what, but it's highly annoying. Especially when we're trying to make plans around seeing houses! We really like her otherwise, because she's a real ball buster when it comes to negotiating and cutting deals, it's just her communication... which I know is vital!! Aghhh.. We may end up finding a new agent anyway.

FutureWashburn

We had the same problem with our first choice of a realtor.  They wouldn't respond to our emails.  Also, I dont' feel like they put the same effort into finding us a house as they would have for someone who was looking for a more expensive house.  (we're on the low end for our budget)

So, having issues with email/phone calls and feeling neglected by our realtor when we're trying to make a $150,000 purchase led us to "fire" our realtor.  I didn't feel bad about it.  This is a lot of money and time and effort that we're putting in.  Since the realtor is getting paid, they should be willing to be attentive to our needs and requests.

Good luck finding a new realtor!

tarinay

That would trouble me. But it really depends on the market - ours is kinda crazy right now, and there's no room for slacking off.

We've had her for a little over month now and put in 2 offers - both of which were really stressful (5 bids on the 1st one and 18 on the 2nd) - and look at houses with her 1-2 a week. 

To answer your question though - ours responds immediately - even when we're waiting on an offer and she hasn't heard back from the seller, she checks in with us.  If we need to speak with her right then and there, we just call her and she always takes our calls.  I honestly can't imagine not being able to get ahold of my agent in this market.

Jinnifah

We mostly communicate via email since DH and I don't often have time off together so it's the easiest way to get copies of all the conversations and know what is going on. Our REA is great at returning emails, I don't think we've ever waited more than 2hrs during the week or 24hrs on the weekend.

Ashley&Scott

We communicate mostly by email with our agent. She responds fairly quickly, usually within a few hours, always within 24 hours.

sarahbear

I think you need to tell her what you told us. "I communicate by email because I can't make phone calls at work. I need you to reply within 24 hours."

RJ31205

Thanks again for all the responses. I've told her in the past that I have a tough time with phone calls and prefer email. Based on the responses, I am not crazy and have a right to be pissed.

I finally found a second to slip away and call her. She said that she got our emails but hadn't responded because she was tied up with two out of town clients. Apparently they changed some stuff up on her at the last minute. In my book, this doesn't matter. I mean, I get that she's busy.. she IS a REA. But hello, I'm busy too and my time is important to me too. The way she worded it made it seem like we were less of a priority than these out of towners. And, to top it off, it turns out one of the houses we really wanted to see now has a freaking contract on it already. That makes me mad.

If it continues much longer, we will have to fire her. I hate it, but oh well. I'll give her 3 weeks to snap it into shape, otherwise we're gone! I'm only giving her that long b/c we're in the midst of selling our home and I don't feel like dealing with firing her and finding a new one until this headache is behind me. At that point, we'll start the serious house hunting and will need someone who is responsive to us!

soon to be Mrs. Connolly

I email her if there is something I want her to look into for me.  I can't really call from work but i can usually send an email.  She hardly ever emails me back.  I believe her generations, late 40's early 50's appears to be better on the phone, I have the same experience with my lender.  I personally prefer email but I guess whatever works.

Mrs.Sully

If I had sent someone an email over the weekend and still hadn't heard back by Thursday, I would pick up the phone and call to make sure they got it. Any more than 24-hour turnaround time on an email is lazy. Unless of course she's out of the office and doesn't have access to email, but in which case she should have an automatic response stating such.