Call me old, but give me a phone call...texting and Facebook ugh!

Matthew Olszak

Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Originally posted by @Anna Buffkin:

I not really old. At least I don't think so, but I hate that every year more and more people are using text or Facebook Messenger as their main form of communication. Having a vacant unit this time of year is bad enough without having to get 40 Facebook messages regarding interest. Its so easy for people to just click interested and turn out to be tire kickers or woefully under qualified despite my qualification listed in the ad. I leave them a message summarizing the listing and end with "call me if you are still interested at [ cell number]. Anna".

I self manage and am usually good at picking tenants. To me it's as much of an art as it is a science. Yes you look at their qualifications, but the person to person conversation gut feeling has only really led me wrong once. Also, no I don't discriminate against protected classes in the process before anyone worries.

Am I living in the past expecting to conduct business by phone? Any advice or thoughts.

Embrace the efficiency of messaging. Deep inside I hate hate hate getting calls about rentals (although I do answer them every time). Its so much easier to just text a copy of my standard information in response instead: "2BR/1BA $800 + deposit, no evictions, bills not included, showings this Saturday 1pm-5pm". That takes seconds vs. a full conversation about the basics, then they go into a spiel about why they are moving, etc. Or what happens most of the time is I have to call back because I'm busy with a client, and even 10 minutes later I hear, "Wait, which apartment is this again?" Ugh. Here in the near future, I plan on subscribing to a text-for-info service so I don't even have to reply.

Also, a super-plus of being messaged on Facebook is you immediately see their profile to help vet them. Same goes with text - most people use their cell phone number in their facebook profile, so when they text you can easily look up who it is you were talking to.

7 Reply

Jay HinrichsBusiness Member

Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes

Podcast Guest on Show #222

I don't answer text messages.. I use whatsapp ( pretty high tech for me) and only let those in my network I know.

I don't trust facebook for any kind of business to many social scammers out there. To me facebook is ONLY for close friends and my grandkids and kids. I would never talk business on facebook.

my preferred method of communication is e mail..

problem with the phone these days is ... too many solicitation calls from random numbers so I now no longer answer the phone unless I know who it is..

I think if I was an active landlord I would have a dedicated phone just for landlording.. and I guess I would have to answer or at least read text messages.. right now I don't read them or answer them but once a week or so. and if I don't know who they are from they don't get answered

I hate those text that just go into some conversation like I am suppose to know who it is.

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6 Reply

Jay HinrichsBusiness Member

Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes

Podcast Guest on Show #222

@Matthew Olszak were do you find the facebook profile ??? is it on facebook somewhere..

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Anna Buffkin

OP

Investor · Pawleys Island, SC · Member since 2015 · 324 posts · 385 votes

Thanks all. This is my first time using Facebook Marketplace to list a rental, but as its mid December, I thought I'd do an all out marketing campaign to get it leased quickly. So far I'm not sure that I like it. It has generated 40+ leads but most of them are tire kickers, unqualified, or message interest but don't respond back to my return message.

Matthew Olszak

Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:

@Matthew Olszak were do you find the facebook profile ??? is it on facebook somewhere..

If you're referencing the phone # to find the fb profile, just type the phone number with no dashes, and also try with dashes, in the search bar at the top. If a person's number is public (which many are) their profile will pop up in the search results. I've caught a number of applicants with facebook profile names like "SoSexy Susan" (vs. their real name) where I'd otherwise never find them, by using this. Also has shown me when people have 2 profiles, like finding "SoSexy Susan" with pictures doing drugs is associated with the phone number while "Susan Susana" with the professional photo in an office comes up in a name search. Same deal with email, just type the address in the search bar and if its public it'll show their profile. Doesn't always work because smart folks don't mark their contact info as public but I'd say for 70%+ it does.

Tom GimerBusiness Member

DMV · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

First, quit Fakebook. Next, if you must use a cell for your RE business, either disable texts on that line or ignore them. You’ll find resistance if you take this path but perhaps more satisfaction.

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4 Reply

Eugene Kemp

Ormond Beach , FL · Member since 2015 · 345 posts · 223 votes

I would never advertise a rental on FB marketplace....worse than Craigslist in my opinion!

Logan AllecBusiness Member

Accountant · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 980 votes

I've found my best tenants using Facebook, just posting in community Facebook groups. It's so much more efficient than the old-fashioned way if you have a system in place. I don't have to answer calls throughout the day so I can focus on higher-value activities.

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Colleen F.Pro Member

Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes

Facebook and text drive me nuts too. I consider facebook a way to see into a number of peoples lives that wouldnt be telling me things or sending those photos. Nieces, nephews, etc. I dont post for tenant there. Text is for a sentence or less. I prefer email because people can use it anytime, followup with a phonecall. That said after tenant placement I get some commited texters who i want to just block but I dont want to miss important issues.

Victor S.

WorldWide · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

Great way to screen people by their use (or lack) of grammar and punctuation lol Jay H. doesn't count :D

Joe SplitrockPro Member

Moderator

Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes

Originally posted by @Anna Buffkin:

Thanks all. This is my first time using Facebook Marketplace to list a rental, but as its mid December, I thought I'd do an all out marketing campaign to get it leased quickly. So far I'm not sure that I like it. It has generated 40+ leads but most of them are tire kickers, unqualified, or message interest but don't respond back to my return message.

Part of the problem is people don't understand how to use Facebook Marketplace. They click on "I am Interested" and think it is the equivalent of liking a post. Many people don't know it results in you getting a message, so they don't expect you to respond. My recommendation is to have a prepared response that you can copy and paste with some questions. If they don't answer the questions, then you don't move forward with them. I find this to be a very effective screening method.

Here is three simple questions, those who don't answer are either not interested or don't qualify:

Do you meet qualification guidelines I listed in the post?

Do you have any animals? If so describe.

When are you looking to move into a new place?

In my market Facebook, along with Zillow and Hotpads, has replaced Craigslist for best online source. I post everywhere, but I think people are getting scared away from Craigslist due to all the scams.

I hear what you are saying about the phone, but the reality is people prefer texting or messaging. It can be good an bad. It is good because it documents the conversation, but that also means you need to be that much more careful in how you phrase questions.

3 Reply

Carolyn Fuller

Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 651 posts · 736 votes

@Jay Hinrichs

off-topic...

"problem with the phone these days is ... too many solicitation calls from random numbers so I now no longer answer the phone unless I know who it is.."

That was me and my cell phone until a few months ago. I got Hiya.app and it labels the tons of SPAM calls I get: spoofing, scam or fraud, robocaller, etc. Now I can answer a call from someone I don't know and 95% of the time it is legit. 4% of the time it is a wrong number and the other 1% is a SPAM call that I report to Hiya. It does not charge a monthly fee which some of these services do.

Matthew Paul

Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes

I dont text , dont facebook , and emails I check when I get back to the computer . When someone asks a lot of questions on email , I tell them to leave a phone number and I will answer their questions . If someone text me , I extract the number and call them back . Facebook , I dont even look at it .

What I have found with texts and email questions about a place to rent , callers are fishing to catch you on something . There is a possibility if I respond back incorrectly , something could be construed as discrimination .

So you call them , it always goes to their voicemail , I leave a message . Then much later I get a call

" somebody called me from this number ? " Or " " whos this" I ask if they listened to the message " NO who is this " " why did you call "

I have to tell them , well I have called 20 people today about 15 different things and left messages with each person , if you listened to the message I left that would help .

Brenda Wright

Flipper · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2017 · 55 posts · 43 votes

Understand one simple concept. 99% of business use social media as a DUE DILIGENCE. Meaning, when you are going to a store/agent/developer etc... you need to see if they have a presence (or reputation) if they don't, 100% of the time they will walk away. So why take 100% chance to fail?

P.S. Texting is just poking and seeing if someone really does exist, the same concept as above.

Jay HinrichsBusiness Member

Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes

Podcast Guest on Show #222

Originally posted by @Carolyn Fuller:

@Jay Hinrichs

off-topic...

"problem with the phone these days is ... too many solicitation calls from random numbers so I now no longer answer the phone unless I know who it is.."

That was me and my cell phone until a few months ago. I got Hiya.app and it labels the tons of SPAM calls I get: spoofing, scam or fraud, robocaller, etc. Now I can answer a call from someone I don't know and 95% of the time it is legit. 4% of the time it is a wrong number and the other 1% is a SPAM call that I report to Hiya. It does not charge a monthly fee which some of these services do.

this is awesome I can start answering my phone again and not worry about.. HEY you won a trip to Cabo :) now if I can only figure out how to load it on my phone.. my grand kids will be here for Christmas when all else fails hand it to the 11 YO..

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Tom GimerBusiness Member

DMV · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

@Brenda Wright If comes down to Fakebook or Fail, I'll choose the latter.

Luckily that choice isn't necessary as there are many other and better ways to validate a business/person.

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Ola Dantis

Multifamily Syndicator · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes

@Anna Buffkin Yes, forms of communication are evolving faster than we age. There is a study that says kids in school texts over 100 times/ day . Facebook and other social media have made it really easy to talk to other people without actually talking to people. :/ I know

As investors/landlords, we just have to evolve with the times, unfortunately, that means we can expect a ton of Facebook messages with real and time-wasting leads. Now, we can get savvier in the front end with our marketing and that is also an art and not a science.

To add to that, if there is a function within your business that isn't your cup of tea, you could train someone else how you sniff test tenants and get them to do it the whole process instead (they might teach you something you didn't know).

It's the idea of working on your business and not in your business (I recognize this isn't plausible for every landlord).

Good luck. Thanks! - Ola

Amy A.

Portland, ME · Member since 2012 · 616 posts · 550 votes

Wow, I'm the exact opposite. I hate getting phone calls. I used to put it on ads and would get calls in the middle of the night from drunk people. Now I don't give out my number until they actually apply and after I have pre-screened a bit. I send some pre-screening questions via email and most of them don't bother answering.

I see that many people are advertising on FB. I wonder if I could set up a separate account that doesn't give my personal info. and advertise from there?

Ryan Evans

Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 653 posts · 769 votes

Somewhat off topic, but I use Google Voice for all my real estate dealings. It lets you pick a second number. I use the local zip code so it looks like I'm not 3,000 miles away. You can receive and make outgoing calls just as you would normally, but you just choose which number to call from when you dial. You can text/call from the desktop, and text when out of the country.

I'm old school as well and try to make calls as much as possible. I've actually had several people tell me lately how much they respected me so much more for simply calling and not doing the whole back and forth texting thing to set a time haha.

If you're dealing with tenants bombarding you with text/fb messages, try copy/pasting back a simple "Hi thanks for your interest. I'd be glad to chat about the property. Go ahead and give me a call when you have 5 minutes!"

Brian Kearney

Investor · Beacon, NY · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 3 votes

You need to remember something very important: it’s not your preference but the prospective tenants that matters during the rental process. Once the unit is rented, you tell them what time and how to contact you. I’ve noticed the overwhelmingly change from phone calls to text and have a copy and paste text saved to reply to each message. You can include your preference for a phone call (I am on your side with the phone calls).

Cara Lonsdale

Realtor and Investor · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

The thing is.....If you use specific technology to advertise to someone, then you can't get upset when they use the same technology to respond to your ad.

If you don't want them messaging you through FB, then maybe your ad shouldn't be linked to your FB.

I agree with the frustration though. It seems to be the younger generation whose sole communication is texting and snapchats and what not. We are raising a whole generation who is so consumed with looking at themselves (selfies) and recording every activity and minute of the day! It's crazy!

There were some good suggestions already about ignoring texts and so forth. These are only good until your unit is still vacant and you want it rented out asap. You'll bend. However, if you advertise in places that don't connect to social media, that may help.

Place an ad on sites like CL and only leave your phone number and put "No Texts" or even call it a land line.

Also, wherever you place it, make sure you cover basic questions that tire kickers would ask. Mention that the unit is available if still showing active (so many of these initial messages are about availability). List your phone # as "Direct" to you. So many people get sick of calling for details only to get a general office or front desk line. Mention that only phone calls will be responded to.

Just a few ideas.

Luiny Tavares

Carlstadt, NJ · Member since 2017 · 41 posts · 14 votes

hey @Anna Buffkin, It seems that your issue derives more from the desperation of trying to rent in a season when no one is looking to move. I'm new to RE but a veteran to communication. People will want to communicate in a way and through a medium in which they feel comfortable, look at how many great tips are on this page. all through the writen medium. All this info would have been nearly impossible if you would have had to pick up a phone call from everyone. I love talking to people but the more time I spend in business the more I figure out that writing is the most efficient way to communicate in business. my issue is that my large fingers make it tough for me to write in my telephones keyboard, so I've learned to speak into it so that is types what I want to say.

you said something very important, you trust your gut feeling and would rather rent to people who you can speak to, so my advice, focus on that.

Yonah WeissPro Member

Cost Segregation Expert and Investor · Lakewood, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

Phone and email are still preferred methods of communication for me.

Texting, I find has usually way too many spelling mistakes because of auto-fill, which is annoying. You don't know if they really want to rent, or they live in a tent or his name is Kent...you get the point.

Please, if you insist on texting, not while driving :)

Ian WalshBusiness Member

Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

It's just a form of marketing/communication. It's is most likely the future of all marketing but for the time being , baby boomers still have tech gap that creates a different marketing medium to that generation. Gen X and younger will be firmly planted in social media for marketing.