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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

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Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

15 minutes but I will say this. If I even detect anything not right in the voice stage, I wont even make the appointment. Its call me when you get there

Nov 05, 2015 11:54 PM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

In this day and age, no phone call is totally inconsiderate, and I would not want to work with a person who has so little respect for me or my time.   15 minutes is pretty much my benchmark too.  

Like you, Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington , I hate people waiting for me and I hate waiting for others.  I once left a dentists office after waiting over 30 minutes beyond my appt time,>  I told them my time is valuable too.  They sent me flowers and never made me wait like that again.  

Nov 05, 2015 11:27 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It depends.  

If it's a first time meeting with no explanation -- maybe 15 minutes.  

If it's a meeting with an existing client -- I may wait a bit longer but there will be a follow up conversation.  Things can happen.  

 

Nov 05, 2015 11:26 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

15 minutes. If I cannot reach them to confirm a delay, then I leave a VM and recommend a re-schedule.

Nov 06, 2015 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

I'll wait 10-15 and then call them. If they're not going to be there soon, I'll reschedule. 

Incidentally, that's pretty much my limit in a doctor's office also. If they can't see me within 15 minutes of my appointment and offer no explanation, I ask to reschedule.

Nov 06, 2015 08:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Depends. Everyone is late in my hood. Yet, not answering the phone is just rude. I understand the person is driving, but everyone is having a smart phone. The average price of home in here is 700k or 3k for a lease, that person most probably has a good phone and a bluetooth in her car:) 

Nov 06, 2015 05:02 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

If after repeated attempts I still haven't reached them then I will leave at the 15-20 minute mark.

Nov 06, 2015 05:04 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Depends on what else I have sheduled that day, but generally 15 min.

Nov 06, 2015 04:57 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Do you ever ask if they're late because they were searching for a PHONE BOOTH ?   No excuse in this day and age.  I had an ungodly appointment at 9 in the AM today (unheard of for me!) and I was still 10 minutes early and my client was 5 minutes early -  my kind of guy!

Nov 06, 2015 12:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington We want our time to be respected as much as theirs!

This can happen once with a client - if it is too often, we need to bring it up and discuss.

Usually, I call ahead to make sure the person is ON TIME - and leave a message to call back and make sure they will be ON TIME.

Nov 06, 2015 12:29 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Paul, try this for ALL appointments.

A meeting time of 9:00 or 9:30 means somewhere around or between 9 and 10. Numbers ending in 5 or 0 are not precise numbers and allows the hearer impose their number.

ALWAYS USE PRECISE NUMBERS!

I will meet you at 9:17 in front of Starbucks.

You will be EARLY just to catch me being late.

I have seen folks standing looking out the living room window watching their time piece, as I waited for the precise time of 7:17 to arrive.

Precision communicates seriousness for you and your client. And if gives them something very vivid to include in their recommendation letter.

Try it. But if you fail, are late, the castle comes tumbling down.

There is a great message of disrespect communicated by the real estate agent community regarding our clients. For me, the greatest disrespect one can make to another is placing NO VALUE on most precious resource they have....irreplaceable time. When a real estate agent is late, the are demonstrating the highest form of DISRESPECT covered by endless, boorish excuses. BEING LATE IS DISRESPECTFUL.

Don't be late and if you want others to be the same, use precise numbers.

Nov 05, 2015 11:52 PM
Rainmaker
466,731
Katina Hargrove 352-551-0308
Stake Your Land Realty, Inc. - Eustis, FL
Broker/Owner, SFR®, e-PRO®, GRI, AHWD, REALTOR®

Paul,

I always call an hour or two before the appointment to make sure they will show up on time.

Nov 06, 2015 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Not long. I am not a patient person and expect the same fromm others!

Nov 06, 2015 09:56 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I agree it can be a problem when we have several appointments lined up. 

Nov 06, 2015 08:43 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Saturday morning Paul. I hate to be late is well. To me, being late is if I arrive on time. I'm usually there two minutes early

Nov 06, 2015 05:32 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Paul - Yes, I will typically give the clients 15 minutes without a call from them. During that time, I will be trying to reach them though.

Nov 06, 2015 02:05 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

 I try to call them after 15 minutes.  I never wait for than 20 minutes and I'm out.  I did however once had a client who missed a meeting and didn't call because he had a terrible accident. So I never judge people for being a no show until I know they just blew me off 

Nov 06, 2015 12:05 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Fifteen minutes, then I am out of there.

Nov 06, 2015 10:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

15 to 30 minutes, but I will call them before I leave

Nov 06, 2015 09:38 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

15 minutes max, but I will try texting or calling them before I leave.

Nov 06, 2015 08:46 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Generally 15 to 20 minutes...unless they call/text.

Nov 06, 2015 07:52 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I'd give them 15 minutes and then I'm gone....

Nov 06, 2015 07:48 AM
Rainer
86,245
Gail Gladstone
Gladstone Group & Long Island Business Brokerage - Huntington, NY
Brokering Success

My appointments are always made with a one-hour span.  There is no way to predict how much time any particular buyer will want to spend in a property.

I have a 15 minute window for waiting if I have not received a call.  My time is important; it is my livelihood.  A lot of folks don't take this seriously.  I ended up with quite a few very respectful buyers after I let them know I was not waiting and to find another Realtor.

Nov 06, 2015 07:31 AM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

15 minutes sounds reasonable to me

Nov 06, 2015 06:51 AM
Rainer
74,457
Michael Scruggs
UTR Texas-Realtors - Houston, TX
ABR, CNE, TAHS

I will generally wait about 15 minutes unless I know more about the situation that is making the client late.

Nov 06, 2015 05:30 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

It really depends on where and who../15 min to half hour

Nov 06, 2015 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I will wait up to 20 minutes, but no more than that.  

Nov 06, 2015 05:17 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I call after 10 minutes. If my call goes to voice mail (which at that point it usually does), I leave a message that it's X:10 and in 10 minutes I'm leaving if I don't hear from them. If they call me back with a reason and apology, I'll try again. Otherwise, I won't.

I like Annette's suggestion to give them a precise time.

Also, I schedule my appointments for hour time slots (that's normal here) - I'm pretty good at knowing how much time it will take to look and travel, based on the specific clients, and I'm usually there right at the beginning of each hour slot.

Nov 06, 2015 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
764,882
John Marshall - FORE!
LoKation Real Estate - Cherry Hills Village, CO
Specializing in Golf Course Properties

This reminds me of my elderly parents saying that no one ever calls them anymore, I have to gently remind them that the phone works both ways.

I will wait 10 minutes and then call the clients, if no response I will give them 5 more and then call again, then leave if no response.

Nov 06, 2015 04:12 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

I will wait 1 second per $100 value of the homes I'm showing.  

Nov 06, 2015 03:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Paul, I use the "college rule" "if the professor isn't there in 15 minutes, class is cancelled."  I'll wait 10, then contact the party.  If no response I tell them I'll wait until 15 after our appointment and then split, but to call me back.

Nov 06, 2015 03:32 AM
Rainmaker
530,966
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

15 minutes is normally all for me.

Nov 06, 2015 02:30 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

It depends.  If I'm downtown with parking issues, not all that long.  Otherwise, I'll wait no more than half an hour and try to make a call to chart their ETA.

Nov 06, 2015 01:28 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

15 minutes.

Nov 06, 2015 12:53 AM
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

Ooo, sore spot for me. My husband calls me 'Sister Chronus' because I attempt to be meticulously on time and consider lateness without cause to be extremely disrespectful.
How much slack someone gets depends on our relationship. For a new prospect, 10-15 minutes late with a call and a reason, fine. No call, super late, I will not be there and we can reschedule. ONCE. Any further lates and I won't even look back. NEXT.

Nov 06, 2015 12:33 AM
Rainmaker
2,310,576
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

What a pain.  Some people are just plain rude.  If I have a good rapport with the client, I start texting and calling.  If they are just standing me up, I give them maybe 20 minutes depending on the rest of my day. 

Nov 06, 2015 12:29 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

its not an easy situation, i call them on their cell, if no answer and 15-20 late . then i call it a day. seeeee....this is why RE agents are overpaid, their job is so easy :)

Nov 06, 2015 12:27 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I too give them 15 minutes, and if it is remote with lots of construction, maybe 30 minutes.

Nov 06, 2015 12:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Maximum is 20 minutes and noirmally it is 15 minutes. I let people know this ahead of time and I ask them to call or text me me if they are going to be late.

Nov 06, 2015 12:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington I agree, 15 minutes is my limit too.

Nov 05, 2015 11:57 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

Likewise, we do too.  A

Nov 05, 2015 11:35 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

I will wait fifteen minutes as well and will call and text just in case.

Nov 05, 2015 11:27 PM
Rainmaker
1,731,203
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

I will only wait about 15 minutes then I leave them a voice-mail that I have other appointments ....It drives me crazy to wait!

Nov 09, 2015 07:44 AM
Rainer
42,670
Fred Hafdelin
Weichert Realtors - Mountain Lakes, NJ

Depends upon the situation. If its an established client I will wait about 1/2 hour if I cannot reach them by phone. If its a first time viewing for a new client I try to call them and if they don't pick up I leave a message asking them to call me ( maybe we got the time confused) . If its an exact time appointment I leave after 15 minutes and try to reach them later..

Nov 09, 2015 05:31 AM
Rainmaker
282,018
Nancy Robinson Ranked #6 in MI
Century 21 Town and Country - Royal Oak, MI
#11 Century21 Realtor in the US, #16 in the World

When its fist meeting I call when I arrive. Ideally they are driving and can  not take the call or  not text back. No return in 10 minutes I  will call text after 15 minutes, I am gone,

Nov 06, 2015 11:37 PM