In 2016 I received my real estate license after working decades outside the industry. I reflected back on my prior experiences with real estate agents who represented me with purchases and sales of homes in the Sacramento area. After receiving my license I started helping clients locate homes which they wanted to view.
I realized that when attempting to schedule home showings for buyer clients it was challenging to reach many listing agents and that responses often took several hours. This reminded me of how it had been hard for me to reach my agents when I was the client buying and selling real estate.
I then thought that it would be a competitive advantage if I let my clients know that I am available for questions from 5am to 11pm.
The result of this decision was significant as many clients that I have had the opportunity to help have schedules which make communication during “traditional business hours” challenging. Also, some clients are traveling or live in other time zones, so a broad range of availability is helpful. What I didn’t know at the time when I made this decision to be available when clients need my help, was that this availability has placed nearly all of my clients in a competitive advantage as they sell or purchase a home. The real estate market values speed. From making offers at 11pm after an evening of showings to approving a showing request which comes in at 10:30pm from an agent representing a buyer who will be in town the following day and needs to know which home requests will be approved as they line up their day, speed to respond is vital.
