Why Real Estate Agents Don’t Pick Up the Phone

By Saleem Mubarak

Artificial intelligence is transforming every segment of society–from how we write emails to how we order coffee or fixed dating points– but New York’s real estate agents still seem blissfully stuck in the Stone Age. Maybe that’s why they treat phone calls like ancient relics.

It’s one of modern civilization’s enduring mysteries: with full bars, blazing and unbridled Wi-Fi and the internet at their fingertips round the clock, why do so many real estate agents prefer to avoid phone calls as if it’s radioactive?

If you doubt they are living in the Stone Age, try this experiment yourself. Call them on Monday, text them on Tuesday, email them on Wednesday — and by Friday, you will start to wonder if they’ve joined a witness protection program run by Zillow.

The Fear of the Ringing Phone

It’s not that the New York agents don’t want to answer your call. After years of open houses, cranky clients, and mortgage meltdowns, they’ve been efficiently trained to treat the phone like a loaded weapon.

The moment it rings, their instincts whisper quickly, “Don’t do it. Keep your fingers still–it’s another seller asking if you can make their one-bedroom sound like Versailles.”

The Secret Life of Manhattan Realtors

Some agents have dared to ignore phone calls of the Trump administration. Knowingly or unknowingly, they live in two time zones: “Just Showing a House” and “About to Call You Back in a Couple of Minutes.”

Neither has ever been observed by scientists or artificial intelligence experts.

After endless attempts, when you finally manage to reach one, they sound as if they’ve just finished a marathon. “Oh, hey! I was just about to call you!”
(This is Realtor Code for: I was hoping you’d hang up first.)

Why Agents Still Prefer Voicemail Over Clients

Once I noticed that a friend of mine, who’s been a real estate agent in Manhattan for twelve years, never takes phone calls. I politely asked her why.

She said, “Because every time I do, it’s either someone asking if the house I showed them in 2018 is still available — or a cousin wishing to list their ‘investment property,’ which is actually a shed.”

Another agent told me with a cunning smile that she does answer sometimes — but only if the number looks rich.

I was under the impression that poverty existed among people, but apparently, New York real estate agents can also tell the difference between rich and poor numbers.

“If it’s a Beverly Hills area code,” she said, “I’ll risk it. But if it’s a Manhattan number, I won’t pick up or call back. That’s just my client asking if they can pay the commission in kind words and exposure.”

A Law for the Unreachable Realtors

Apart from calling, of course, there’s the voicemail strategy. Realtors have perfected the “hope-you-give-up” voicemail: “Hi! You’ve reached Stephen. I’m either in a showing, in a meeting, or stuck in traffic.”

Just to prove that the agents still exist, we might need to pass a law called the “Realtor Responsiveness Act” — requiring every licensed agent to answer at least one out of every ten calls.

Let’s be honest–their phones never stop ringing. Between appraisers, inspectors, clients, and that one buyer who keeps asking if “south-facing” means the sun lives in the living room.

In such situations, agents have a good reason to pretend they’re on airplane mode — permanently.

In the end, you can easily conclude that real estate agents are part negotiator, part therapist, part magician — and sometimes, part ghost.

Their job is to juggle three listings, five contracts, two angry sellers, and one buyer who insists on paying in cash they “can’t show yet.”

So next time your call goes unanswered, take a deep breath. Maybe your agent isn’t ignoring you–maybe they’re just busy explaining to another ‘happy’ client why “lake view” doesn’t include a puddle after the rain.

So remember, don’t take it personally if your real estate agent doesn’t answer the phone– they’re just screening calls from everyone else who’s also wondering why their agent doesn’t answer the phone.

(After all, in the New York real estate market, the only thing harder to reach than your agent is an affordable house.)

Author Profile

Saleem Mubarak: The writer is a real estate journalist specializing in all types of New York City properties, including luxury residences, commercial spaces, and homes.

He also writes humorous articles about real estate, investors, and realtors.