If you run your real estate business in a big city, then you’ll eventually come to a prospective client that agrees to meet with you, but doesn’t want to drive all the way to your office. This happens to me all the time in Houston; the 4th largest city in the United States isn’t exactly easy on the gas tank.
Most agents that encounter this problem have to take the time and search for a good meeting place between both of your locations. Should you meet at a Starbucks or a restaurant? Where exactly is “meet somewhere in between”?
I stumbled on this great free website online that solves this problem. Not only is it super easy to use, but it also will help you choose a suitable meeting location between you and your client. MeetInBetween.us is a contest entry for Rails Rumble (a programmer/developer contest), and I fell in love with the moment I ran across it.
Try it for your market and see if it helps you save some time. If you enjoy the site, please take the time to register and vote for them over at the Rails Rumble 2008 site. While you’re there, check out the other top applications; they’re all great ideas and fun to play around with.
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October 28th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I see meetinbetween.us being an invaluable resource for real estate agents who need a great spot to meet! Thanks for the information!
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Cool tool but in my opinion… if the cleint is worth meeting, I’ll go where ever they want me to meet them. Pick you up the hotel? Yes, mam. Meet the starbucks by YOUR home? Yes, sir.
November 3rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
An old broker of mine once had a belief that meeting at the office was a way to filter out the “lookers” from those that are serious about buying.
If they were serious enough to meet you in person first, then they are worth spending your time consulting with them on their next purchase.
There’s many beliefs on this area, pros and cons to both sides, but I know I avoided wasting tons of time by having this as a semi-strict policy in my business.
I also believe policies like this exist for various cities. Being in the 4th largest city in the US, it wasn’t always a great idea to hop in the car the moment I got a phone call.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Good tool. There have been times that I wish this had been available. I do agree that there are times when the best meeting place is the office.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I could see this being useful when clients are looking at houses in one area-you could meet at a great place in that area and head off to see the homes-otherwise, it seems best to meet at the office.
November 10th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Good tool thank you very much!
November 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
It seems as though there is always a new website that pops up to solve some type of problem. The internet is a great tool to allow for people to use their creativity to solve problems.
November 11th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I have to agree with Steve to some extent. It is always better to meet at the office. To filter out lookers is one reason but safety is the biggest reason. With that said, after the first couple of outings, I would think it to be fine to MeetInBetween.
Thanks for the post!
November 12th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Most agents that encounter this problem have to take the time and search for a good meeting place between both of your locations.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I think I would have to agree with the safety factor as well; also meeting at the office naturally weeds out people just “looking for the fun of it” and keeps the serious lookers feeling comfortable and professional.
But, of course, in our rocky economy, I will meet anywhere the client wants if that is what makes them comfortable and happy to look at houses with me.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:27 am
That is a very cool website. While I do think it is better to have the client come to you first, this site would be very useful when you need to meet an existing client.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Very handy for when you need a place to meet! Great idea and thanks for the info!
December 6th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
This tool could come in handy!
December 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Really this is something that everyone can use so that we all use less gas and save time.