It never fails. I take only a few weekend trips away during the year, and usually one summer vacation for a week. Not much time away, really. Under normal circumstances, I am available to my buyers, sellers and soon to be customers. The phone may not ring for a couple of days at a time, as much as I hate to admit.
But, plan a trip out of town for just two days, and everyone needs something THAT very weekend! (Now, mind you, I'm not complaining. Customers are great! Without them, I wouldn't be in the real estate business. They put food on my table.)
WHY? Why does this happen everytime I'm going away for a couple of days?
AND usually, they don't want to wait! That want to see me during the time I'll be gone.
Do they just know that I'm leaving?
Do they just want to test my loyalty to them? Hmmmmmmmm....interesting.
I have never taken a weekend trip, nor a week long trip without FIRST being SLAMMED with phone calls of people needing me during the period of time that I will be gone. I usually find myself asking if they can wait till I get back. When they say they can't wait...I've had other agents fill in for me, while I'm gone, which I really don't care to do.
Years ago, I resolved myself to the fact that I would not let my business negatively effect my family time. And, I don't. So, sometimes it takes me 5 days to prepare to get ready to go away for 2 days. UGH!
Does this happen to you?
This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR.
that for you
Hi Sandy-Yes it never fails. Always, always happens. Must be some kind of thing with people that they know when we are going. I've heard quite a number of realtors say the same thing. Happy New Year and enjoy your getaway. :-)
Hey Pat, Glad to hear that I'm not the only one that it happens to! Thanks for sharing!
This is probably the way it happens with most, including myself. Must be Murphy's Law.
This ALWAYS happens to me. I need to plan more trips!
Hi Steven, I find it very interesting that this is something that happens to many agents. Funny, isn't it?
Hi Jason, I think you're right - I think I am going to plan more trips, more often. Great idea!
Sandy,
It never fails that I sell one or two properties while on vacation.
yes, I know what you mean! It happens to the best of us. Best thing to do is set up your voicemail, have a buddy to help field your leads, and push all appointments to 2 days after you get back. It'll work out!
They need to respect your time and you need to let them know this. They would not want you to call them on their getaway. Tell them.
Trips and holidays are GREAT for business! :-) I don't know what it is, but a listing can sit there for 3 months, and the week you are heading away on a long planned trip, in will come multiple offers. It is really something else.
Sarah Rummage in Nashville
If you want more work than you can handle JUST PLAN A VACATION!
Sandy - That is the same thing that happens to me when I go away for a weekend. Things are slow right now I guess I need to plan a weekend trip.
Hi Mike, Well, I suppose that's a good problem to have. But, why does it seem to happen? I just haven't figured that out yet.
Hi Sandy, I always make sure that I have a back up plan for the times I leave on vacation. Some customers can't wait till I get back, so I have my broker cover for me. Others, I am able to change to a couple of days out.
Hi Tony, Many are very considerate of my time. Others are not so patient and gracious.
Sarah & John, Well, it's really a great way to sell our listings, isn't it? As Jason mentioned, we need to getaway more often so we can sell everything.
So funny to my, Kathy, that this happens to so many others here. Unusual isn't it?
Hi Robert, I love getaway weekends for business. It makes the phone start ringing. Maybe I should try to getaway every weekend. (Have fun on your getaway -LOL)
Yes! This happens to me every time! I think customers sense it! My husband is in sales also and we once went skiing for a day and he got 17 calls in one day! Ugh!! There is a solution though. TURN OFF THE PHONE or don't answer and put your e-mail on out of office reply!
Sandy, it never fails!! Everytime I plan a trip away my business explodes. One of my goals for the upcoming year is to schedule several times away with my family. Hopefully, my business will cooperate.
This seems to happen to everyone we know-- it is almost guaranteed it seems. All the best.
This happens to me all the time as soon as i plan a trip my phone start to ring have actually lost
a sale because of a short weekend trip. I kid my not quite 1 yr old grandson he cost me a sale.
And my three year old granddaughter cost me a sale. Usually your most loyal customers are very considerate and will wait until you get back life is just to precious with family to worry about it though.
This happens to me almost every time I'm gone for a few days. Over the past week I've been out of town with family for the holidays and I've been getting calls almost endlessly both from clients and business partners needing this and that. I think like I've been on my blackberry as much if not more then when I'm in town. My family thinks I'm obsessed with work but hey I've gotta pay the bills. I'd really like to get to a position where I can go on vacation and leave my phone at home.
Absolutely Sandy! it happens every time- so maybe you're onto something....a new business plan that includes planning more vacation days - that should increase the demand for new and existing biz though it may not improve the chance of getting to spend more time away with the family (grin) glad to hear you got a moment away and hopefully you were able to relax and enjoy. Peace, Joy and Prosperity to you.
Hi Sandy... My husband & I work together as a team. But, when it seems slow he goes to Miami to work his tree surgery business. It's been slow for a couple days, so he went today. Five minutes after he left my phone went bonkers with showings! Never fails!!
Hi Kristi, I have to learn how to do that - just turn off the phone. That's a hard one to learn, though!
Hi June, Isn't it funny - timing seems to be everything, doesn't it?
Hi Bob and Carolin, I know, we have the same experiences here. It does seem to be a guarantee - leave town and business goes through the ceiling!
Hi John, I think that you hit the nail on the head - family should be first, and we just can't sweat the small stuff. Precious time lost with family is time we can never get back.
Hi Colleen, Crazy, isn't it? Maybe your husband should head down to Miami more often.
sandy - i have made my new years resolution, it is to be a little more relcutant to keep my cell phone / blackberry with me at dinners, movies, and in bed 24 hours /day
Hi James, Well congrats to you - great resolution - I hope that you are able to stick to it. Sometimes this business overtakes our lives.
Hi Sandy, It happens to me all the time. I negotiated and ratified a contract while on a 5 night getaway a few years ago. I tell people I am going to be away and they want to look at something that same day. Maybe I should tell everyone I am going away and then stay home? LOL
Been a little under the weather here, getting over a cold. Hope all is well with you.
Hey Sandy,
I guess I have never scheduled a trip away.... I should try it and see what happens.
Hope it all works out,
Ann
Are you on your way to Missouri to visit?