Why are you contacting me NOW?

“Why are you contacting me NOW?”

I participate in several lead router systems. One system sends leads from various home search websites to agents in different companies using some sort of algorithm to determine the next agent in the queue. The way it is supposed to work is that when agents keep their lead status “green”, i.e., they follow up on all leads and contact leads within a certain amount of time, then they remain on the list to accept new leads.

On the buyer side, what is supposed to happen is the minute a buyer clicks on the “request more information” button and they input their contact information, an email and phone call and text are sent to the next agent in the queue so that agent can contact the lead immediately.  If that same buyer clicks on any other properties, the property information would also be sent to the same agent for follow-up.

So, a few days ago, I received a lead from a buyer in my area who wanted information on a home that has been on the market for well over a year. It was an email-only lead, so I shot the person an email immediately. I introduced myself and suggested he call or email me back.

Later that evening I received an email asking how I obtained his email address.  Of course I sent back a note to explain and encouraged him to call me.

A day later I received yet another lead from the lead system, for the same gentleman, but for a different house.  I again sent him another email offering my assistance.

This morning I awoke to another response.  He wanted more information on why I am contacting himNOW?  Apparently, he was looking at these two houses online and he requested information exactly a year ago to the day that I sent him my email.

Wow.

First of all, how does he know it was exactly a year ago when he first requested information? Did something important happen in his life that set that date in his mind?

Second, why is it that I am just getting this lead now? When a lead is reassigned from another agent, there are usually notes from the last agent or perhaps time stamps from when the lead moved from person to person. But the date stamp indicated this was a brand new lead.  What could have happened?  Could it be a system quirk?  Could it be some sort of cosmic prank? How is it these two homes are still on the market? Were they waiting for him? Did he already find a house? Is he still looking?

I hope I am able to get answers because right now, I don’t really know how to answer the question….

“Why are you contacting me NOW?”