A great client-realtor relationship goes both ways. Learn how to work efficiently with your realtor while showing respect for their time and expertise. 

A client once called me at 2 AM to ask if a house’s backyard was big enough for his dog, a question that could have waited until morning, especially since he hadn’t even seen the property in person yet. As a realtor, my days are a carefully balanced juggling act of showings, negotiations, paperwork, and client communication. The best clients: the ones who get my fullest attention and most strategic guidance, understand that respecting my time isn’t just about courtesy; it’s about ensuring I can deliver exceptional service without burning out. 

Communicate Your Availability And Respect Theirs

Realtors don’t keep traditional 9-to-5 hours, we’re answering emails during breakfast, writing offers at midnight, and showing homes on weekends. But that flexibility shouldn’t translate into 24/7 access. At our first meeting, share your preferred contact times and ask for theirs. My most considerate clients text “Is now a good time?” before calling and use email for non-urgent questions after hours. One even scheduled a weekly 15-minute check-in call so we could batch questions instead of playing phone tag daily. 

Prepare Before You Engage

Nothing drains time faster than clients who want to “just look around” with no clear direction. Before your first meeting: 

– Get pre-approved (for buyers) 

– Research neighborhoods online 

– Create a must-have/absolute-no list 

– Gather financial documents 

The clients who arrive with this groundwork done get my undivided attention because we can immediately focus on strategy rather than basics. 

Batch Your Questions and Showings

Resist the urge to text one-off questions throughout the day. Keep a running list and send them in one email. Similarly, try to schedule multiple showings in a single trip rather than visiting one property at a time. I had a client who used a shared Google Doc where we both added questions and listing notes, it saved dozens of emails and made our time together hyper-productive. 

Honor Scheduled Appointments

Late arrivals and last-minute cancellations don’t just affect you, they disrupt an entire day’s carefully planned schedule. One no-show can mean missing another client’s deadline or losing a showing slot in a competitive market. My most valued clients treat appointments like business meetings: they confirm the day before, arrive 5 minutes early, and give ample notice if plans change. 

Trust the Process and the Professional

Second-guessing every recommendation or demanding instant responses to non-urgent requests slows everything down. Clients who understand that: 

– Offer deadlines operate on business hours 

– Inspections take time to schedule 

– Paperwork requires careful review 

…end up getting better service because I’m not constantly putting out small fires. 

Use Technology Thoughtfully

Automated listing alerts mean you don’t need to ask “What’s new?” daily. DocuSign lets you review contracts on your schedule. Portal logins give 24/7 access to saved listings. The more you leverage these tools, the more our live interactions can focus on high-value guidance rather than administrative hand-holding. 

Remember: Your Realtor Has Other Clients

The best agents balance multiple transactions seamlessly but only when clients respect boundaries. Urgent requests should truly be urgent (a competing offer is urgent; debating paint colors is not). One client’s thoughtful approach, marking emails “URGENT” only when truly time-sensitive made me prioritize her even faster because I knew it mattered. 

Show Appreciation

A simple “I know you’re busy, thanks for making time” goes far. Referrals are the ultimate compliment. The clients who acknowledge this is a partnership not a service, get my discretionary effort: the extra showing, the late-night contract review, the insider market insights. 

The irony? Clients who respect these boundaries often get better service because their realtor isn’t drained by unnecessary demands. By being the client who values your realtor’s time, you become the client they move mountains for. 

References

Esso Properties. (2025, February 18). Secrets every realtor should know: How to talk to clients. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://essoproperties.com/secrets-every-realtor-should-know-how-to-talk-to-clients/

Choice Homes. (n.d.). The dos and don’ts every real estate agent should know. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://www.choicehomes.co/blog-post/mastering-client-communication-the-dos-and-donts-every-real-estate-agent-should-know

AgentFire. (2025, March 4). 10 texting tips for real estate agents. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://agentfire.com/blog/10-texting-etiquette-tips-for-real-estate-agents/

Realtor.com. (2025, May 27). 7 real estate communication mistakes to avoid. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://www.realtor.com/marketing/resources/7-real-estate-communication-mistakes-to-avoid/