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Are Agents too Busy to Be Careful?

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent VA#0225195155

I thnk Susan's post is excelent. Each agent has its own method for protecting their clients. In my area I use the supra lockboxes. I nter the SN and MLS number so when soemone opens the lockbox I get an email within a few minutes. But occiasionally I use a coded lockbox on properties very far from me. I put the code numbers in the private remarks on the MLS, therefore only agents can view the code.

But I am looking for a better way to schedual showings. I have heard some people use services. Any suggestions.

Original content by Susan Ani

I am experiencing a growing trend in the Chicago area; listing agents are instructing buyer agents to email or text an appointment request to the listing agent. And the listing agent affirms the appointment by email or text back to the buyer agent.

The listing agent has no way to really know who is sending the email or text, and seems to not be interested in verifying that only licensed agents are going into the listed property.

Sure, it's perhaps a more streamlined way of setting appointments, and it's easier for me as a buyer agent than using the old fashioned phone call technique (or even an automated online system) to request a showing time. But at the same time it makes me nervous for the seller of that property. And is that listing agent actually keeping track of who shows the property so that the seller can be kept up to date on the listing traffic? Maybe, maybe not.

I'm just sayin' .....

My listings are ready for any showing with an electronic lockbox on the premises, giving me the ability to track from any computer exactly who enters the property, and when. And all appointment requests are made only through a centralized appointment service that logs in all showing appointments into an internet-based database that becomes a permanent record for me and my sellers to reference.

With the listing of a property comes a very high level of responsibility to the property owner. Anyone who plans to list their home for sale and draws up a list of questions for the agent at the listing presentation should add these to the list:

- how do you handle showing requests?

- what must a buyer do to acquire keys and get into my property?

- how do you keep track of showing appointments and agent feedback?

- what system do you use to verify that appointments are kept, and which agents actually are going into my property?

 

As I keep reminding myself (as often as I can remember to remind myself!), most clients do not know enough to even ask those questions. So I guess it's up to me to put that information "out there" in the listing presentation, and to remind the sellers that the company where I hang my license is taking every possible precaution to ensure the security of their home and to maximize their ability to have the property be shown.

I'm just sayin' ...

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Scott Fogleman


Real Estae In Richmond

New Home Team

Lynchburg Luxury Homes

804-573-9592

scott@scottfogleman.com

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Keller WilliamsRichmond, Lynchburg, Roanoke VA

Scott Fogleman is a Realtor serving Richmond VA, Lynchburg, VA, Roanoke,VA, and Smith Mountain Lake, VA. He is licensed in the state of Virginia.

Keller Williams

 

 

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Comments (5)

Dan Edward Phillips
Dan Edward Phillips, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA - Eureka, CA
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA

Good Morning Scott, an excellent post.  Thank you for putting it back up.

Apr 16, 2011 11:14 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

This is a good post to reblog. Agents should be careful when they allow others to show the home.

Apr 16, 2011 11:26 PM
John Durham
Durham Executive Group - RE/MAX/Results - Woodbury, MN
MS, MS, ASP, ARS

Scott,

Great post and something I may have to blog about myself down the road. I too tend to always use electronic lockboxes and wish the combination lock boxes were not allowed unless in some situations. I also always electronically synchronize the SN and MLS to be able to track who is coming and going.

Apr 16, 2011 11:53 PM
David Burrows
Classic Realty - Fairfax, VA
No Pressure, Just Seriously Devoted to Real Estate

I do not like the combination boxes. I believe (for security and protection of people living in the house) that we all should use the electronic lockboxes.

Apr 16, 2011 11:57 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

As a listing agent, I make all my own appointments.  Take a look at this post from 2007..Yes, I DO! 

I only use electronic boxes. You might want to check into CSS a showing service here in the Maryland area.

Margaret

Apr 17, 2011 03:15 AM