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Do you.....

By Gaylen Thornton

Real Estate Agent with Desert Heritage Real Estate

October 14, 2007 04:25 PM

When you preview a home with clients do you leave a business card? If not, why? Is the current trend away from this practice or am I missing something.

I like to follow up with those that have viewed my properties to get some genuine feedback on what they liked, didn't like etc. It always helps to get an (hopefully) unbiased view so that if there are corrections to be made I can do that for my client. Information and feedback are very important to me.

I have had a few very professional agents in my area email or call me to see what my clients and I thought of the home and I was happy to give them feedback. It does not happy that often so I wonder, is this practice something that you do?

Lately few Realtors have left their cards after the showing yet the information is on the lock-box. I wonder why no card?

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Blair Ballin

Hunt Real Estate ERA - Phoenix, AZ

Gaylen, hi. I always try to leave my card. I think sometimes it can be a but much with holding the lockbox container, mls sheets, other information, keys, that remembering to leave our card doesn't happen. I certainly always try to call agents for feedback; and with our lockboxes in AZ cards aren't necessary just easier. Ironically, like you...agents don't call me for feedback. It's a terrible disservice.

Oct 14, 2007 04:34 PM

Susan Walters

Keller Williams Realty, Ann Arbor, MI - Ann Arbor, MI

I used to leave a card every time I showed a property, even re-opening the door to leave a card if I had forgotten to leave one. I became less attentive to that detail, rationalizing that all appointments are scheduled and the agent can follow up from the records provided by their office showing desk. Your blog has made me think though. First, by leaving a card, that homeowner knows the property actually has been shown. Electronic lockboxes are not widely used in my area so that breadcrumb trail generally does not exist. Second, that homeowner now has your card in their hands. Your visibility is increased perhaps beyond the homeowner themselves but to other agents who come through and friends and family of the seller. If the listing does not work out for whatever reason, the homeowner has your contact information. Business cards are meant to be distributed. My last order of business cards was for a quantity of 5000. What am I saving them for? As for feedback, I always call the agents who have shown my listings. I call about three times over a few days and give up after that point if I don't get a response. If the feedback suggests there is some interest, I follow up again to see if the interest is developing into an offer. I give the news to my sellers ASAP, positives first, negatives second, suggestions for change third. Feedback is critical, both giving and receiving.

Oct 14, 2007 04:49 PM

Mary Warren

Las Vegas, NV

Hi....I too always leave my card, i think it;s rude not too.

Oct 14, 2007 05:00 PM

Nancy Brenner

Referral Associates of Georgia, Inc. - Roswell, GA

Roswell Georgia Real Estate Agent

I agree with Susan. I always leave a card so the Seller knows that I've been there.

Oct 14, 2007 06:07 PM

Kris Wales

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI

Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

Gaylen, I want your seller clients to know that I did arrive with my buyers. I always leave a card. On the few occasions when I have forgotten to do so, I'll call the sellers agent and let them know "Hey, I was there, sorry I forgot the card! Please tell your sellers they were not stood up."

Oct 14, 2007 10:50 PM

Keith Perry

Coldwell Banker - Hiram, GA

REALTOR - West Metro Atlanta

I always leave one. Now I have been in vacant homes where 20 or more are sitting on the counter which seems just as bad.

Oct 14, 2007 10:57 PM

Linda Scanlan

A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX

Gaylen - I always leave a card, but one time I had the listing agent call me and chew me out for leaving a card! She thought I was trying to solicit her clients! LOL This was a very seasoned agent, too who should have known better.

Oct 15, 2007 12:02 AM

Mike Jaquish

Realty Arts - Cary, NC

919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

Local customs are like real estate..... Local!

It is considered soliciting in the Raleigh, NC region. I see a card in one of my listings from time to time, and it is never a locally experienced agent, but someone either new to the business or new to the area. Nothing to get upset about, just outside normal expectations...

We have ample oppportunity for electronic feedback, which is only about 50% fruitful. I haven't figured THAT out yet.

I would not leave a card in someone else's listing here. If I was doing business in an area where it was expected, I would certainly do it

Oct 15, 2007 12:09 AM

Charlottesville Solutions

Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

If the home is vacant (no card) the lockbox tells the agent I was there. If the home is occupied (leave a card) just my way...

Oct 15, 2007 12:47 AM

Gaylen Thornton

Desert Heritage Real Estate - Surprise, AZ

Susan - Thanks for letting me know your feelings. I was afraid I was alone in the follow up.

Mary and Nancy- I wish you coud preview my properties.

Kris - You are going the extra mile by calling, good for you.

Keith - I always pick up the cards as soon as they are left so I can follow up. I hate to have cards lying around I think it is unprofessional.

Linda - Some agents, seasoned or not just don't get it do they?

Oct 15, 2007 01:32 AM

Dionne Morgan

Realty World Solano Realty - Vallejo, CA

Broker REALTOR ,GRI, e-PRO

Absolutely, agent should leave a card, in exchange for easy access for them. the seller appreciate knowing who has come and gone. Feedback is helpful but follow through is nearly always required. No response is typically a reponse.

Oct 16, 2007 08:03 PM

Dionne Morgan

Realty World Solano Realty - Vallejo, CA

Broker REALTOR ,GRI, e-PRO

Absolutely, agent should leave a card. It is a great exchange for easy access for them. The seller appreciates knowing who has come and gone. Feedback is helpful but follow through is nearly always required. No response is typically a reponse.

Oct 16, 2007 08:04 PM

Gaylen Thornton

Desert Heritage Real Estate - Surprise, AZ

Dionne - I don't agree with your "no repsonse is typically a response" comment. It doesn't tell the agent why they didn't like the property so that it might help to "fix" problems if they are there. No response is the showing agents way of being rude in my book.

Oct 18, 2007 10:31 AM

DDR Realty

DDR Realty - Newburgh, NY

Orange County NY

In my market area, the custom is to always leave a business card when showing a listing. Sometimes agents call for feedback and sometimes they do not. But the card is left anyway.

Oct 19, 2007 02:04 AM

john axle

Andersonville, TN

No one ever leaves me a card. I ask them for their email when they set up the showing and send them a feedback servey.

Right now Im using a free service called

http://www.buyerremarks.com/

Getting about 80% back. Sellers like it. Saves time.

Oct 30, 2007 03:38 PM