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We get all kinds of leads...by phone, by email from people who want us to show them our listings. If they are not referred by anyone we know, and if we've never met them, we ask the usual questions....
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71 Comments on Would you open the door to a stranger? Or show property?
Well said and a Southern Md Reblog immediately. I am a stickler for loan preapprovals first for safety and identity and time management all combined.
Pacita, I think Bill Cherry's (#18) policy is probably the best laid out that I have see. I am not meaning to frighten anyone, but sseveral years back there were a sseveral attacks on female agents and one was killed (I honestly don't remember if I was in Washington or California at the time). Please take precaution...I would avoid being a lone with anyone I did not know...and in the current market of so many vacant homes it is even scarier. Safety first!
When I sold my home several years ago, I did. I lived in a fairly busy path, and once a day someone knocked on the door. I let them in.
In general, though, I agree that it's a risk, and it's possibly a waste of time since you're showing the property to someone who isn't verified as having the means to purchase it even if he wants it.
Stick to your principles -- its best to be safe --- if someone does not want to get pre-qualified there usually is a reason they won't qualify.
Hi Pacita - before I take them out, I make sure they are pre-approved.
I walked into a new home sales center recently and there was an 8 month pregnant female agent there all by herself. I couldn't believe it. She said she works there all the time by herself. They get about 10 walk-ins a week. Trouble waiting to happen.
Hi Pacita,
Thank you for this very important post, I will reblog this post, it is that important.
In Victoria BC, we had one of our Realtors killed, as a result of the Agent meeting an unknown prospect at a vacant and new home. It has changed everything for everybody in and around Victoria BC and Vancouver Island in how we do our business.
Thank you again.
Thank you all for the reinforcement that we should stick to our principles.
When I was a new realtor, a fellow realtor who was more seasoned and experienced, taught me this lesson.
Someone had walked in our office while I was on floor time, and asked to see some properties. My friend came to me ---- and in full view and hearing of this prospect ----- she offered to make a copy of this gentleman's drivers license. She also offered to get a list of the properties we were going to see so that our receptionist will have it handy in case our broker wants to check our activities for the day.
In recent weeks, I've had prospects call to see my listings. Three of those folks who produced the information I requested, came to my office, and became preapproved, are now in contract. And one of them I double-ended!
I have always had my buyers pre-approved when I was in NJ. Here in Naples, a lot of folks have cash. They are either a referral or people I have met at Open Houses in Gated communities. I always leave info with my partner of where I will be and who I will be with.
Pacita - some great advise, especially for female agents. It should be a mandatory policy for everyone working in real estate these days....thanks for sharing with us.
I am fortunate in that my current office screens all incoming queries and takes down information about prospective clients before the requests are paged out to us. It makes me feel a lot more secure about taking prospects out or meeting them at a property.
Pacita! Great post! Safety first! Nevermind time wasting for us or the sellers if they aren't pre-qualified!
Like anything else its a matter of using your head...be smart! Listen to your gut.
Pacita, strangers meet us at the office before we show them property unless I'm going with Frank on the rare occasion when it makes sense to meet them at the property. Definitely listen to your gut, like Linda said #68.
Some feel better coming to the office so that they are not strangers. In reading this, we really got some great responses!
I was a "pop-tart" agent when I began my career. I've long since learned that sensible and genuine buyer prospects will approach the buying process in a more practical manner. It's easy to blurt "No, I'm not represented by an Agent (which usually translates to "He is currently occupied, unavailable or out of town").
An important topic - equally important during open houses. Imagine a Million Dollar property with an open house and every Joe and Jane can and does walk through. But not only are you potentially exposed. You are also responsible for the property. I have been considering to take a quick photo of attendees licenses for ID verification. It's quick, gives full disclosure and some security. An other idea was a quick picture of the person during sign in. An unusual approach, but perhaps not so much when you have to reimburse the homeowner for an expensive camera - as it happened in our office. THOUGHTS?
Pacita, Safety is an issue. We need to know who we are dealing with. Secondly, I will not show property to anyone without first meeting me at my office, providing loan approval & proof of funds OR at least their lenders name and contact so that I can verify they are approved. Congrats on the Feature.
Pacita,
I have been slack about this at times. Thank for the reminder. Safty first...I live in a community near Beaver lake things are a bit different in our area. I have them meet at the office first. My biggest concern is when they want to see rural property....then I usually refer or have another agent go with...
In life you must always be careful and always have a contingency or exit plan. I'm sure all of remember our moms telling us to always be aware of our surroundings and they were right.
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