Could a Few Minutes Cost You $20K?

I was speaking with a potential seller the other day. He mentioned that many of the agents he had interviewed had shown up late for scheduled meetings. Of course, I was floored.

This was a high-value listing, and these agents—by simply not respecting his time—lost out on what would have been a nearly $20,000 commission. And when you consider it like that, isn’t that a bigger motivation to show up on time?

It’s true that people have different views on time. Some are more flexible, while others see punctuality as a sign of respect. But one thing I’ve always learned is this: when you show up late, you send a clear message—you value yourself and your time more than the person waiting for you.

Is that the kind of relationship you want with your clients?

Real estate is a business built on trust, service, and showing people they matter. And in an industry where first impressions can make or break a deal, being on time should be a no-brainer.

But the cost of being late goes beyond just one lost sale. That seller won’t just refuse to work with those agents—he’ll also never refer them to his friends or family. And in real estate, where referrals can be the lifeblood of your business, that’s an even greater loss.

So, the next time you’re tempted to run “just a few minutes behind,” ask yourself—are those few minutes worth potentially losing tens of thousands of dollars? Or more?

It’s the little things that matter and in this case you could WIN big by showing up as professional. What an easy no cost way to win a client!