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Leaving business cards when showing homes...

On almost every listing sheet that I print when I am putting together a showing list there is the comment by the agent that has the house listed, "Please leave business card when showing". My reply to that is..."Why yes...I will leave my business card, I am so glad you asked me to do so!"

Now I don't ask for agents to leave a business card. Why you ask? Because I don't want them to have this business opportunity that I take advantage of when I show their listings...thinking outside of the box.

Do you leave your business card? I do. As a matter of complying with what the listing agent asks AND as a matter of a business opportunity. Did I say business opportunity? Yes, I did. How can leaving my business card be a business opportunity you ask? Well let me tell you...

I look at business cards on the kitchen counter as a job application. Who sees the cards first? That's right, the home seller. Where is the business opportunity in that, you ask? Well, let's just say that the listing agent is not living up to their end of the deal. Maybe they are not communicating enough or the homeowner doesn't feel that they are working hard enough to sell their home.

That's where my business card on the counter is the most important. They already have my contact information if they are thinking about changing real estate representation. My job application is laying right there in front of them just waiting for them to ask for an interview.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't solicit the business of another real estate professional. But by the listing agent asking for me to leave a card, they are effectively allowing me to apply for the home sellers business in case they don't do their job.

I don't ask for cards to be left just for that fact. I have a record of who showed the listing as our showings are set up through Centralized Showing Service and it is completely Internet based. I don't need their card to let me seller know who is showing the property.

Just something to think about.

Posted by "JT" Prevatte, REALTOR, ABR, ASR ~Fayetteville, NC Real Estate on 11/15/2007 08:53 AM

Comments (12)

business card, home seller, mynewnchome, real estate, business opportunity

12 Comments on Leaving business cards when showing homes...

Jeffery,

WOW! Never really thought of it in those terms before. You have a point about the seller seeing all the agents cards. Thanks for sharing you thoughts.

11/15/2007 09:22 AM

by Debbie VanLeuvan (ERA Team IV Homes)

You should see my post a while back regarding agents who don't leave cards as it is becoming a trend, at least in this market, for them to not do it. I agree with your assessment whole heartedly.

11/15/2007 09:29 AM

by Gaylen Thornton (Desert Heritage Real Estate)

Jeffery, of course I leave my business card, especially if I shoe the property multiple times. A little free advertising never hurts.

11/15/2007 10:38 AM

by The All Pro Team (EXIT Realty Leaders)

Jeffrey I always leave a card when showing so that the Seller has my contact info just in case. I also want other agents in my market to know I'm out there showing too. I never ask agents to leave cards in my listings and I yank them out when they do. I walk into some houses and there are 30+ business cards on the counter.... but no one has bought it yet? Nothing is a bigger red flag in my opinion.

11/15/2007 11:56 AM

by Anthony Clark (Alexander, Merry-Ship & Alt Real Estate Group, Inc.)

It is mandatory in my mls to leave a card or a note , and there is a specific policy "rule" in place that says what the card can have on it because some agents were using it as a "solicitation". I always leave one of my "simple" cards.

11/15/2007 12:14 PM

by Jo Soss | Bremerton WA Real Estate (Skyline Properties, Inc.)

Jo- Is correct in our MLS it is required. In fact last month an agent and broker were fined for not leaving a card at a home that was viewed.

Your idea about our cards being a business opportunity is a great point. Sellers will look at the cards and will most certainly think about us if the listing agent is not doing a great job. Another business opportunity of leaving our cards is that when I have a listing come on the market I will contact other agents who have shown similar homes that I have listed previously. For example fixers. If I have a new fixer come on the market I will call the agents who have left cards at previous fixer listings of mine. This is a great way to get the word out to the agents working that particular segment of the market.

Best wishes,

Scott Cowan
www.scottcowan.com

11/15/2007 01:41 PM

by Scott Cowan -Tacoma & Pierce County Area (Terry Wise & Associates)

Ethically, as a Realtor, you are not supposed to leave any of your information at the listing, unless the listing broker asks you to do so.

11/15/2007 02:23 PM

by Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor (Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC)

Jeffery, I see it both ways similar to what Frances is saying. I'm not leaving the business card to solicit the listing possibly at a future date. But just in case the homeowner has questions of me. I'm inconsistent with it, sometimes I leave a card sometimes I don't.

11/15/2007 03:45 PM

by Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty)

Interesting - I never thought of it like that. I usually don't leave a card, and definitley don't ask for them to leave them in my listings. I guess I thought it was more of a verification for the seller that the home was shown.

11/15/2007 03:57 PM

by Leigh Bates, DFW Real Estate (Keller Williams)

Jeffery, On the rare occasions that I do show houses I too always leave a business card. As a listing Broker I always ask agents to leave a card. I have very good relationships with my sellers and someone leaving a card is certainly not going to cause me any problems. My sellers get all kind of solicitations from other REALTORS(R) they always save them and give them to me. I have actually received some pretty good marketing ideas from other folks mailers. So please......feel free to leave a card in my listing at anytime..

11/15/2007 04:16 PM

by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc

I always forget mine in my car. I'm bringing them to my very next showing! Thanks for sharing.

11/15/2007 08:50 PM

by Linda Giordano, Southern New Hampshire Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty)

We have folded card that is a holder for our business cards - it's impressive and gets us listings regularly. It makes our agents stand out in the crowd.

09/12/2008 06:50 PM

by Dawn Maloney, ABR (Geneva Chervenic Realty)

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