Tell me what you would do?
You are out showing buyer clients a few properties and you stop at the next home on the tour. You unlock the door and your clients proceed inside to view the property. 3 minutes later into the house walk another couple. They tell you they are working with Susie Q (their Realtor) but she is not available to show them properties today and they really wanted to see the house. "Do you mind if we just walk through?"
What would you do?
I would tell them that their agent must be with them for the showing. You should not leave the front door open to others when showing a home.
Hi Debbie- I like to know who's in the home, so when I show, I let my clients in and I lock the door behind them. That way I'm never surprised and I feel that everyone's safer. --Sara
Hi Debbie,
I have run into this before. I asked them politely if they would wait outside for a moment while my clients looked at the property then I would allow them to look at the inside while my buyers looked at the outside. I got their name, number and email address. They offered it right up to me and about 6 months later I sold them a house (they were no longer under contract with the other realtor and he apparently had slipped up keeping in touch with them). You can ask for their contact information as you need to log who enters the house under your watch!!
Rick
There are several things that I try to remember when I'm out showing properties. The number one thing is Safety.
I like Rick's answer with one addition, I would call someone in my office and give them the info or call one of my other numbers and record the info as a message just in case it was needed and I wasn't available to give it to them...
You can never be too safety conscious.
Interesting post with several great answers already given. I don't allow a parade while I'm with a client, and have told people that just want to see the house that they need to wait for their agent. But I like the give me your name post as it creates a future client. Thanks for the information.
Debbie, that is too strange. What did they do, just camp outside the house hoping another Realtor would come by and show it? My biggest concern would have been safety, also - for me, my clients and the property. So, while Rick's idea sounds like a way to get a lead, I'm not sure I want to be responsible for complete strangers stealing or damaging items inside the house while I am looking at the outside with my clients.
Does sound a bit strange, but I guess if your vehicle clearly identifies you as a real estate agent, they might have thought the home was fair game. I like the idea of getting all their info, but not sure I'd let them into the home alone while being outside with Client A.
Hi Debbie ~ It wouldn't even occur to me to think of it as a safety issue but it's not a scenario I would be comfortable with. It wasn't your listing right? They need to schedule an agent-accompanied appointment. I can't be responsible for other buyers when I'm with my own and we're on our own schedule.
Liz
I think Rick has the right idea. I think it would depend a lot on how I feel about Susie Q. If this is typical of Susie Q I would probably not have the patience to let her clients through. If I had a good relationship with SQ I would do as Rick states.
i'm not a realtor, but if i was and
it felt right, and, they could produce their agents business card, and they would just "walk through" without disturbing my clients, than i might let them, but if they wanted to see/view the property than they need to schedule an appointment with their agent.
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