Special offer
Joan Cox, Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time (House to Home, Inc.  - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
628,764
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Answer, and immediately block if it is spam. You never know because they mask the number w/ the local exchange.

May 23, 2020 01:18 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,186
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

My doctor's office says 'Spam Risk' from their back office line, LOL
But I know that . . . if I google the number and it does not show it's an agent or a legit business. . . it can go to VM.

May 23, 2020 01:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,767,614
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I don't answer ANY calls unless I recognize the name or number. Very few clients or would-be clients call me, so there's not much risk. I figure real people will leave a message.

May 23, 2020 08:06 PM
Ambassador
5,229,814
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

They all get one answer from me - just in case it's a potential customer!

If it's spam, they are then blocked for life!

May 23, 2020 06:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I have that service also & you wonder if it's worth it after stuff like this happens. Better than nothing though.

May 23, 2020 02:40 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,052
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Depends,  on what I am doing.

May 23, 2020 02:04 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Very rarel

May 23, 2020 01:15 PM
Rainmaker
660,806
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Joan, I have the same service probably with T-mobile, and I discovered that sometimes those calls are from Buyers, or prospective Tenants with whom I had not interacted in the past. I started picking up the phone, but more often the calls turn out to be marketing calls. then I block the number they called me from. 

May 23, 2020 01:00 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Yes, I do... precisely because of the problem you encountered. What's the worst that happens if it is spam? You hang up and block. Many times I've seen a possible spam message and it turned out to be a prospect who was referred to me, an agent with a referral.

May 24, 2020 06:02 AM
Ambassador
2,061,626
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I answer all calls.... 'cause it's super easy to hang up on them, if it's really spam.

May 23, 2020 04:44 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,123
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Voice mail greets potential spammers.   95% of the time, no message. 3% leave message and the remaining 2% is someone of interest...If legit-no quit

May 23, 2020 12:55 PM
Rainmaker
785,106
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

I usually don't answer them. 

May 23, 2020 04:50 PM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I usually answer anyway. You never know!

May 23, 2020 03:50 PM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

I don't. If it is not a "spam likely" - they will  leave a message.

May 23, 2020 02:35 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,613
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Sometimes it's my credit card company so yes. Rarely though under those circumstances.

May 23, 2020 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
249,105
Denise Copeland
Home Sales Palm Beach - Jupiter, FL
Jupiter Abacoa Sales & Beach Front Luxury Homes

If I'm bored and in an ornery mood, absolutely! God help the person on the other end of the line when this happens :-

May 24, 2020 04:47 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I answer. All calls.

May 23, 2020 07:57 PM
Ambassador
5,048,758
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Nope. I have yet to have a SPAM POTENTIAL leave a message that was anything other than spam.

May 23, 2020 07:41 PM
Ambassador
6,392,929
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Surprisingly, a few vendors I deal with do show up as potential spam sometimes.

May 23, 2020 06:29 PM
Rainer
195,422
Karen Climer
Demetree School of Real Estate - Orlando, FL
Teaching people to pass the real estate exam

I do not have any special spam service, but occassionally my phone says spam risk.  I don't answer those calls. The last time I got one of the those was a few days ago when NAR called to tell me about a town hall.

I do answer calls that show a number, even if it is a number I don't recognize.  If it's a solicitor, I ask them not to call back and hang up.

If they don't leave a message, I do not call back.

If they do leave a message, I call back as soon as I'm available.  

May 23, 2020 05:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

It depends.  There are some that I know will be spam.  Out of area or ones with a fake caller ID.  Those I don't answer.  99% of the time the spam suspected ones are spam.  The rare non-spam is usually nothing urgent and they leave a message.  Nothing wrong with that.

May 23, 2020 08:56 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Never

May 23, 2020 07:59 PM
Rainmaker
614,555
Dominick Dina, MA, REALTOR®
Christian Realty San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
GRI, e-PRO, TAHS, SFR, Notary Public

I may answer, however once unstanding what the topic/call is about I try my best to be polite and disconnect.  

May 23, 2020 06:43 PM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

No, I don't have time for that.  Plus some may record you.

May 23, 2020 05:24 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Verizon has a spam service without paying (Spam Risk), and we don't answer.  If they are real they can go to voice message...A

May 23, 2020 03:27 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ
It depends on:
  1. How sharp the tools are in the agents shed
  2.  If the agents attitude is 'I can't be bothered with you.'
  3.  if the agent believe themselves so precious that the slightest incursion is a threat to their existence

ANSWER YOUR PHONE! It is your most important tool and delegating to someone without skin in your game as the gatekeeper is...well OPPS! Now the caller KNOWS what to expect.

Some agents act is though they are INCAPABLE of hanging up. Do you want that agent working for you?

May 24, 2020 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,738
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Not usually

May 24, 2020 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,370
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

If I don't recognize the number it goes to VM. I can listen and decide whether to ignore or return the call.

May 24, 2020 05:22 AM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It depends on many variables ... if it is important they will leave a message and I will return the call. 

May 24, 2020 07:45 AM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I usually answer all calls. However, if I get a call from the local Google Voice prefix, I ignore it. It has always been a spammer spoofing the local number.

May 24, 2020 07:29 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,329
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Nope.

May 24, 2020 11:38 AM
Rainmaker
900,118
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Usually not, unless I'm expecting a call that I know might come from an unusual number.

May 24, 2020 10:18 AM
Rainmaker
544,079
Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Waxhaw, NC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

I don't.  I feel that if it's that important, they'll leave a voicemail. If they don't, I didn't waste any time answering a call that might have been 'suspect'

May 25, 2020 09:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Because we receive a lot of calls from potential buyers and sellers, we answer the phone every time it rings. But, we have spam filters so that known spam numbers are blocked - an imperfect system, but I'd rather answer spam than not answer a client.

May 25, 2020 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It depends, if i am with someone than no. I also knwo that most spam calls use teh same or similar area codes or town codes here in NH. If i am alone and bored, i may answer. So far no real people though

May 25, 2020 06:06 AM