Ask the Question!

Ask the Question! 

We're ALL strapped for time aren't we?  Homes to show and list, blog posts to write, websites to update, prospecting to do.....evaluating what new technology and social media platforms will REALLY help our business and what are just the next bright and shiny bauble.

But if you work with buyers & want to save some time, there's one question you REALLY need to integrate into your standard list of questions:

ARE YOU WORKING WITH AN AGENT?

Now you MAY not get a straight answer, but at least you asked the question!  We're primarily listing agents, so we get plenty of calls about our listings, and sometimes those calls lead to showing requests.  That question is a standard for us, whether the request is on the phone or via email.  And the way we typically phrase it is something to the effect of "We don't want to step on any toes if you're already working with an agent, so do you have an agent?".  It shows respect for them and their agent (if they have one). 

If they answer Yes we know the situation and not to try to make them OUR buyer clients.  Will we still show them the listing if they ask?  Of course!  We'll recommend to them that they REALLY should have their own agent show the listing as we work for the seller. And if they still want to proceed?  Well the disclosure has been made,  we'll schedule the showing & get their signature on the Ohio Consumer Guide to Agency at the showing to reinforce how things work.  Other times they'll withdraw their request and schedule it with their agent. 

Now we may not get a straight answer to the question. 

Sometime YES is an outright fib, they want to maintain their free agent status and saying Yes makes most agents stop asking them to work with them. 

Sometimes NO is just that, they have NO agent they're dedicated to.  Sometimes "No" REALLY means "I don't want to tell you I DO have an agent and I just want to see the listing when I want to see it and I DON'T want to waste my agent's time because they're busy busy busy or  working their day job and it's your job to SHOW YOUR LISTINGS and I think I can pump information out of you that I can used against your seller if I like this house!"  Phewwwww.....

Deal with enough public inquiries, you're going to get the whole spectrum of buyers and responses.  People act in their OWN best interests, not the interests of us or their agents.  But at least if Aunt Susie the agent who closes two deals a year shows up to write the contract after you asked the question and showed them the property, you won't be kicking yourself for NOT asking the question.

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz