Do you text message?

[rvolk75]

I'd like to get your input into this topic. I just read a post on ActiveRain and seems like real estate agents need to get ready for the younger generation. Those that are teenagers now, will be buying a home in 5 to 10 years and they're more tech-savvy.

They are looking for information, but they're also looking for convenient ways to receive it. Being 32 years old, I'm not really up to date on the latest technology being used by teens today, but seems like they all text message each other. They email a lot, but they text message even more.

If you're in a hip market like Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, etc., do you think it's a good idea to text message a visitor back if the visitor left a phone number during the IDX sign up?

For example, someone visits your site and registers for the MLS search and they provide a phone number. You email that person, but also, instead of calling them, do you think it's a good idea of text messaging them?

I hate when salespeople call me and I also don't like calling my leads, so I would prefer to communicate via electronic avenues. Send me an email and if I wish to respond, I'll respond, otherwise it goes in a Trash folder.

Would you do it?

[kensmith]

No I would never text a lead unless they have first given me permission. Many people have to pay per text received and that isn't the first impression I would want to make.

OTOH I do use text with some clients as they prefer it over email or phone calls. Personally I hate texting as I can say everything SO much faster then texting, but I do what works best for the client.

[arenetwork]

The prize is the phone number. (a live contact). I would not spoil it with a text message.

Besides, if your are looking out 5 to 10 years for your client (now a matured homebuyer) do you think that a text message is really going to be the communication method of choice then.

Let the phone and or PDA be sacred for now.

[satxproperty]

I'm 49 and text all of the time ... Text messaging is for casual chat, not business. An initial contact via text, never.

If they say, "text me the address I'll meet you at 4," that's one thing.

[Northern_IL]

I'm a 30-something and I use text all the time. In fact, I would say that 40-50% of my clients actually prefer the text method!
As far as the first contact goes, I might just try that.

I think clients would actually appreciate a text opposed to a call. A text is personal yet less threatening than a phone call. A potential client could read my text, and sit on it until they are comfortable.

[Discover Davis Homes]

I haven't texed leads, but I might try it with some. I also agree they might sit on it until they are ready and then your number is already on their phone.

[REW Reed]

Something to consider if you are thinking of integrating texting into your website is the use of the Email-to-SMS gateway. If properly configured (and a lot of cell phone companies work without setup), you can take a cell phone number and cell phone carrier, then use it to email information to them. I use it to forward incoming emails to my phone. I don't get the full message (only 256 characters can be in a text), but I will know who it is from and the subject of the message. Helps me filter out my mail and know when to get to a computer. I found a good list here:

www(dot)hiptools(dot)net/sms/

If you let someone put a text message phone number and select their cell phone carrier from a drop-down on a contact page on your website, they could receive a text message intro, updates, etc.

[papaul1621]

I wouldn't text message at first contact. Once I build a relationship with a client, I offer that they can text me if they have a quick question. Plus who knows, the phone number they registered on your website might be a land line or a bogus number.

[gregharaksin]

I wouldn't text message an initial contact. But both my clients and I seem to prefer to text message throughout escrow. It's nice for that quick easy update.

[Sam Chapman]

Just a funny story here about text messages that will illustrate why you don't want to text without having built a relationship first.

I chaired Relay For Life in the Lake Travis area for a few years and each year I had a substantial number of high school kids on my planning committee. I asked the kids one year if the best way to contact them was email. Ryan spoke up and said: "Mr. Chapman, email is so 90s - today is all about text." As funny as that was, it is true for the kids. Today we shouldn't text a bunch, but tomorrow?