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Overlapping showings. Boon, or Boondoggle?

By Alan May

Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

December 28, 2011 03:46 AM

Making appointments for later this week, I ran up against a receptionist who did not want to grant me a showing that overlapped with another agent.

I convinced her to allow it... 'cause as I said: "I don't mind if they don't mind.".

If, when we arrive at the house, the other agent is there, we will politely wait our turn. If they're on the first floor, we'll explore the yard. If they're on the second floor, we'll start in the basement. We'll happily stay out of their way, but we don't want to miss the house because it doesn't fit into our/their schedule.

Personally, I think a little "competition" at the house is good for sales. It helps give them a sense of the popularity of the house.

I don't mind if they don't mind.

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Bill & Cyndi Daves

Hiawassee, Young Harris, Blairsville, Hayesville, Murphy and Beyond! - Hiawassee, GA

TeamDAVES - Your REALTORS In the GA/NC Mountains!

Alan, I totally agree with you. One buyer or the other may fall in love with the house and decide they need to act fast because they may lose it. If they BOTH fall in love with it and submit competing offers the seller may net even more than they would if there was no urgency. The receptionist should probably have a conversation with the listing agent and be reminded for whom they work!

Cyndi

Dec 28, 2011 03:51 AM

Doug Rogers

RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL

Your Real Estate Resource!

In the summer overlap showings are pretty common in my market. And I love the sense of urgency it creates!

Dec 28, 2011 04:03 AM

Glenn Roberts

Retired - Seattle, WA

I doin't mind either, Alan. I do think it's unusually rude for an agent to mind and then dawdle in the house while you wait outside. They may just be showing one, while you have a half dozen to get to.

Dec 28, 2011 04:07 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I'm like you. I think seeing that other buyers are interested is good for both agents in terms of motivating clients. You've reminded me of an incident that happened two weeks ago that I'm going to post about. Different angle on the same topic.

Dec 28, 2011 04:26 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

I totally agree with scheduling showings at the same time - it would stimulate a sense of urgency (unless of course one buyer happened to hear the other buyer say, "What a piece of $hit", in which case it may do just the opposite). But as a seller, I would definitely want both buyers there. In fact, three or more would be even better.

Dec 28, 2011 04:30 AM

Karen Winters, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Koenig Rubloff Realty Group - Chicago, IL - Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

I have done the same when scheduling showings on other listings and loved it when it happened on one of mine. I did have 3 groups in there at once. Loved the sense of urgency that it created and the rush of offers that ensued. :)

Dec 28, 2011 04:47 AM

Malcolm Johnston

Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON

Trenton Real Estate

Overlapping showings shouldn't be a big deal Alan, unless you start brawling with the other agent, then it might be akward for the clients.

Dec 28, 2011 04:57 AM

Alan May

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL

Home is where the hearth is.

Cyndi - well, she did agree... so I'm not gonna bust her chops.

Doug - I surely don't think it hurts the house.

Glenn - as long as we can be cooperative and friendly... no need to get territorial about it... it's just a showing.

Chris Ann - I'll be on the lookout.

Kat - as a seller, I'd like to get all of my showings out of the way in the first week... ('course that ain't gonna happen, either)

Karen - ahh... "the rush of offers that ensued..." I remember phrases like that.... - heavy sigh -

Malcolm - shouldn't be... but can be.

Dec 28, 2011 06:14 AM

Tammie White, Broker

Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN

Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I am absolutely with you on this one. No better way to get a sale than create a sense of urgency with the buyer.

Dec 28, 2011 07:21 AM

Tammie - I love it when a good-lookin' woman agrees with me.

Dec 28, 2011 08:25 AM

Vanessa Saunders

Global Property Systems Real Estate - White Plains, NY

Real Estate | Done Differently

I LOVE it when there's a Realtor line with their clients outside. Nothing like some "Fear of Loss" to bring offers to the table!

Dec 28, 2011 09:32 AM

Vanessa - indeed.. nothing like it.

Dec 29, 2011 02:06 AM

Ha...don't sigh, It was one of those very rare occurances. I'd like to see it happen again soon though. :)

Dec 29, 2011 12:12 PM

Karen - I'd like to see it happen again... too.

Dec 29, 2011 12:23 PM

Overlapping showings. Boon, or Boondoggle?

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Alan May

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