If you are a realtor and looking for ways to separate yourself from your competition a unique solution is by using a real estate answering service. Carry on reading to learn how an answering service can provide a new level of customer experience to your clients as well as numerous other benefits!

Did you know that there are over 1.5 million real estate agents in the United States? And this number continues to grow. The Bureau of Labor predicts 4% growth over the next 10 years. With the ever-increasing number of agents gaining their realtor licenses, it makes sense that this is one of the most competitive professions to have success in. You’re not only competing against other realtors and property companies but technology as well. Homebuyers can know everything about the property they’re interested in by doing a simple Google search and viewing real estate MLS listings themselves. With all the competition realtors have to be willing to try unique ways to separate themselves . This is where an answering service can help provide your clients with a customer experience that will set you apart from others.

If you have ever been involved in buying or selling a home, then you should know that realtors don’t work regular 9 to 5 hours. Late nights, early mornings and weekends are standard times to be working in the real estate business. The job duties vary on any given day. One minute at a home showing and the next back in the office submitting paperwork. This can make it difficult to stay on top of every prospecting call or email. But what if we told you an answering service can take care of all your calls for you?

What is a real estate answering service?

A real estate answering service essentially answers and manages incoming calls on behalf of a real estate agent or business. Professional, knowledgeable representatives are standing by to assist interested or current clients. They can be reached by telephone 24/7/365. Everything in the process is customizable to suit your business, from the way the agents greet callers to the method of message delivery.

Business hours vary per agent, but potential clients will be looking for information outside of business hours. A real estate answering service is available to answer those calls, respond to basic questions that customers may have and schedule a time to speak with an agent. A real estate answering service can also provide appointment scheduling, lead capture, bi-lingual support and here at Southern – 100% US-based phone agents in Florida and Georgia.

What are the benefits of using an answering service for your real estate business?

Improved customer service

One of the most important things in the real estate business is customer service and how clients are treated when they contact you. When you have a busy schedule, it can be difficult to answer phone calls and emails promptly.

You might also find that when your clients are calling or emailing, they are often frustrated with the lack of response from their agent. The industry is one of the most competitive there is, it only takes one or two missed calls for your clients to get disillusioned and choose someone else.

An answering service ensures that all calls are answered with professional, courteous agents who are trained to act as an extension of your business. They answer calls how you want, determined by the scripts you customize after you begin your service.

The client has no idea that the agent answering isn’t in your office with you – and creates a higher perceived level of professionalism. You will also build a reputation as an agent that is always available, no matter the time of day.

You won’t miss potential leads while on vacation or sick leave

Let’s face it, everyone needs time off now and again. Especially while working in such a high paced environment like the real estate industry. Without an answering service, you essentially have two options

1) Enjoy your time off and have all incoming calls met by voicemail

OR

2) Continue to answer phone calls while on vacation and have no time off anyway!

A real estate answering service acts as your personal receptionist – so not only will clients have no idea that you’re on vacation, but they know they can always get through to someone to speak to.

Your clients will feel like they’re getting personalized attention due to the human interaction provided by our operators

If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you know how anxiety-inducing the process can be. When life-changing decisions and amounts of money are exchanging hands they need to be able to count on their realtor that they trusted and decided to work with.

The real estate industry is different to others. In other industries calls are expected to be returned hours or even days later – in real estate action needs to happen immediately. Whether the client is selling or buying a property, there are always questions to be asked. When the client picks the phone up, they want to know that their call will be answered and that’s what an answering service can provide. Assurance that no matter how busy your day gets, your calls still get answered by a human.

24/7 coverage and availability

When there’s no time to waste, you’ll be able to avoid back and forth exchanges with your client over the phone or email. There’s nothing more frustrating than playing voicemail tag when you’ve not got much time in the first place. Especially when the calls are about urgent matters like matching offers or closing documents. An answering service can be customized so that essential information can be passed onto a client when they call – or their vital message is forwarded to you urgently. Our receptionists can also answer basic questions about the business, assist with appointment scheduling and help with lead capture. This can be at any time during the day or night and includes holiday coverage as standard.

Customizable message delivery process

Maintain professionalism among your clients by having them call an established phone line rather than your cell phone. With an answering service, you can pick a business number to use or transfer a current number. You are also able to forward calls directly to your cell phone, email them all at once to yourself, or have them sent through the platform every few minutes so you never miss a call.

We offer unlimited extensions, custom greetings, and mailbox configurations to make it easy for you to personalize your experience – our agents will take messages and forward them to you when you’re available.

Pricing

With the amount of features that a 24/7 realtor answering service provides you would be forgiven for thinking that it would be a costly expense to add to your business budget. With plans starting at just $39 a month, Southern Answering Service is not only affordable but a necessity for realtors to maximize their reputation and professionalism.

Let our team handle all your calls so that you can focus on what’s most important – growing your business and offering the most you can to your clients.

We have a variety of packages to choose from with flexible hours and rates, as well as industry-specific answering services to help make sure we’re always working towards improving your real estate success. Give us a call today to learn more and start your month’s free trial.

Ready to talk to a specialist and take your real estate business to the next level?