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It is Memorial Weekend - Can It Wait Until Tuesday ?

By The Somers Team

Real Estate Agent with The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia

May 28, 2011 01:02 AM

It is Memorial Weekend - Can It Wait Until Tuesday ?

About five years ago, I had a buyer who was back and forth on putting in an offer on a property. His parents were in town over Memorial weekend and asked to see the property that he was intereted in again and then to submit an offer on it. I had to make a decision to take time away from Stephanie and family plans in order to accommodate this. I did choose "business" over family. This decision lead into the next day as it was an escapade delivering it to the other agent so it ended up taking two days away of the holiday weekend. It caused stress for sure missing out on sun and relaxation for the sacrifice. Since then, I made a commitment that family and myself would come first over these holidays than a buyer wanting to see properties. It would have to be special circumstances to switch up on that. Of course, if one of our clients was in need, we would make sure to accommodate them if something could not wait until Tuesday.

If you think about it, the majority of time, these situations can wait until Tuesday. For example, since everyone else is on vacation, what are the chances the listing agent is working that will be able to do anything with a submitted offer ? And even if they are, what are the chances that the seller is available ? All the stars would have to align for that deal to be closed over a holiday weekend. Most importantly, it is the ability for yourself to be able to set boundaries and have balance in your life.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to a business decision. If you do not want to spend time with family or take a break and choose to take buyers out over Memorial weekend, all good. But when you are in that position and you have plans and you get that phone call from a buyer asking to see a property the next day, think twice before rearranging your schedule and your vacation plans with your family and simply say "How about Tuesday or Wednesday next week ?". If you have a good relationship with your buyer client, they will surely understand. If it is a do or die situation, then I would look into having an agent in your network do the showing for you.

And if you are asking if that deal worked out ? It did not.

What are your thoughts about balance with work ? Would you rearrange your vacation for a buyers request for showings ? Or try to have it wait until Tuesday ?

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Kathy Denworth

BHHS Keys Real Estate - Islamorada, FL

Realtor in the Florida Keys, Islamorada, Key Largo

I am showing property today, but I would hope no one will call for Sunday and Monday. If I have to, I will, but is will be near about impossible to get other agents. That could be a plus for me if I'm the only one will to show my properties.

May 28, 2011 01:06 AM

Dennis Puckett

Adams,Cameron & Co. - Deland, FL

Every situation has it's own uniqueness. I use as much diplomacy as possible when confronted with a situation which pulls me away from planned activities. Many times it's not what you say, but how you say it.

May 28, 2011 01:08 AM

Nor Yeretsian

Envoy Capitol Realty Inc. - Toronto, ON

Envoy Capitol Realty Inc., Brokerage Toronto

I agree with you , it can wait .

We are not in the lifesaving business.

Keep it real for all concerned without the unnecessary stress and the loss of time

spent with your family.

It can wait.

cheers

Nor

May 28, 2011 01:10 AM

Rachel Rabinowitz

Guerilla Realty - Baltimore, MD

The Baltimore Realtor

I took one of these calls yesterday - while at the beach. I had left my cell phone in the car, but the minute I opened the car door to it started ringing. "I've been trying to reach you! the voice said after I said "Hello" - I want to show your listing on SUNDAY. I was standing there realizing I was taking this call in my sandy bathing suit. I should have not gone back to the car until after 5pm. I'm going to show them the property - but I've got mixed feelings about this.

May 28, 2011 01:22 AM

The Somers Team

The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA

Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Kathy - That is the benefit for you. You will have a distinct advantage of demand for working over the weekend. The other issue that I did not mention is that if a listing office does not use e-showings or an appt center, it may be a struggle to get showing appointments confirmed if you cannot get through to the listing agent and if their office is closed.

May 28, 2011 01:46 AM

Don McBride

Nautical Realty - Saint James City, FL

Nautical Realty

Each situation is different, but I would do every thing possible to wait until Tuesday. That said my family are late risers so if a client wants to see something early Saturday I will take them out for showings

May 28, 2011 01:53 AM

Dennis - Very true. Being diplomatic and communicate goes a long way for sure.

Nor - I believe more often than not, it can wait. In those special circumstance, than make it happen. There are 60 agents in our office so if we are away, we can go to folks in our office and ask for a favor if one of our clients has an emergency. Or reach out to your referral network.

May 28, 2011 01:54 AM

Coral Gundlach

Compass - Arlington, VA

Real Lives. Not Just Real Estate.

When you've made those family sacrifices many times in the past, as I think all Realtors have, you reach a saturation point and decide that you won't choose business over family any more. I have a wedding in Vermont this weekend (for friends I met selling their houses by the way) and have rearranged my schedule around it. If you say you are not available, people usually chill. If you have a buyer though in a HOT price range and a property they want comes on over a holiday weekend, best have someone prepped to step in. But who lists on Memorial Day weekend? I prefer not to.

May 28, 2011 02:00 AM

Rachel - Yes, it is always tricky indeed. Do you have the cell phone off ? Do you have a message "not available until Tuesday" ? Is the showing for a consumer or another agent ? I know in some places the listing agent is there for the showing as well with the buyers agent. For us, there are many showings going on on our listings over the weekend that other buyers agents are doing of course which I do not need to be there at the same time.

May 28, 2011 02:16 AM

Coral- Yes, that is a good strategy. Hope you enjoy the wedding in Vermont ! And yes, I think everyone probably has experienced this to a degree in the past and has reached some sort of "saturation point" like you mentioned, whether it be a holiday or not. As in our field, when many of the hours are nights and weekends, there can be that constant push-pull of balance of work vs family .

May 28, 2011 02:21 AM

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

I had my team stay home this weekend with family. I'll take the calls and do the showings so they can have time off. It will be their turn next time. Buyers that are insistant on looking better be ready, willing and able to buy or I won't even get out of my house.

May 29, 2011 01:56 AM

Kay - That is a good way to do it. That shows great goodwill to your team and a nice way to rotate it. And sounds like you are focusing on motivated buyers over the weekend which is great !

May 29, 2011 02:03 AM

It is Memorial Weekend - Can It Wait Until Tuesday ?

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