Special offer

Showing Homes Can Be Like Juggling

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Keep it all up in the air!Showing Homes Can Be Like Juggling

When you ask us to show you a home, you might think it's a pretty simple activity, and on the face of it, it is.  Make a call, get permission to show the home, meet the buyer, open the door.  That easy, right?

But as they say on the infomercials, "But wait, there's more!".  Whenever we're asked to show a home there's a lot more than just those few "simple" acts involved.

It starts with a quick review of the home and seeing if there are any obvious GOTCHAs involved. 

Have we been in the home before?  Some inside info (pun intended) that the wallpaper is peeling and that a busted pipe has mold in the basement. 

Is the home a short sale and our buyer is on a tight schedule and waiting months for a bank response is a no go? 

An aerial map view and it's a corner lot with no backyard?  You said you wanted a backyard for the kids?  Maybe THIS home needs to come off the list.

Check the agent remarks.  Hmmm, cash only buyers wanted and AS IS and needs TLC??  Not good news for our financing needed buyer.

What's the weather going to be like?  A few inches of snow?  Better allow extra time between houses A B and C. 

Is the buyer meticulous with every home, or a quick decision maker?  Factor that into the scheduling too.

Any road construction or road closings on the route?  A festival?  Maybe the usual weekend traffic gridlock around the shopping areas?  All things to consider.

What time does it get dark?  Foreclosures after the sun drops can be a less than enlightening experience. 

As you can see, there's plenty more going on than just making a phone call.  We're juggling plenty of factors to make sure our buyer has the best possible experience.  And it's also why giving us a little notice is in your best interest. 

Other questions about buying a Warren County area home?  Just call The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Elite at 513-520-5305.

Serving Warren County's residential real estate needs,

Liz and Bill aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

Search Homes:  Https://WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com

 FacebookWordpressYouTube Pinterest

 

 

 

 

OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA:


Comments(29)

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

BLiz - All this, and don't forget trying to schedule the right times to be able to show the homes in a specific route that makes sense. Oftentimes I run into two homes near each other, but one we can't get into until after noon, while it would have fit nicely into the route at 9am. Then you are backtracking, making it a longer day for everyone. 

Jan 30, 2015 11:43 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Kathy, It's self-preservation of sorts.  It's pointless to take our buyers into a home that they can't buy (e.g. the cash only purchase) or has a blatant reason they won't want to buy it.  Making sure they know in advance is key to avoiding showings that have no value for the buyers or the seller being disrupted to accomodate the showing.

Kwee, A bit of prequalification of the home helps our clients.

Anita,  Definitely a few things up in the air to put together a string of showings.

Larry, Fortunately we don't get many of those!  And it's not fair to the seller to give that little notice.

Tammy, Have been there and done that.  Multiple calls to try and get a response.

Joni, Not a lot of straight roads connection those coves are there?

Troy, No doubt, aligning them in a logical pattern that takes into account the vacant homes vs. occupied, busy area vs. slow.  It's a real art to put them together, and then you have to hope one of the sellers doesn't tip the applecart on our planning.

 

Jan 30, 2015 11:50 AM
Jenna Dixon
Momentum Real Estate Group LLC - Marietta, GA
55 & Over | New Constructions | Horse Farms

This is the perfect explanation for the consumer so that they can understand that there is often MUCH MORE than meets the eye!

Jan 30, 2015 11:51 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I once had a buyer who wanted to spend an hour in every home. It made for very long days.

Jan 30, 2015 12:09 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Jenna, There is definitely more than meets the eye to the whole process.

Tammie, I've got a closing coming up with a family that tended to an hour plus per home.  They didn't ask to see many, but when they did, I knew the home would be thoroughly checked out by the end of the showing. 

Jan 30, 2015 12:33 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

And when I am meeting an agent at my  pristine home built in 1821 on 34 acres  and find out they are showing 17 others that same day. Makes me a little leary about their 15 minute window of showing time.

Jan 30, 2015 12:49 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

... and sometimes we verify that it falls within a desired school district, too and .. do all that while trying to schedule via an owner, 2 listing agents and 2 showing services. You wait to get confirmation on house #3 only to find out that showing times are restricted. And you start shuffling things around again.

But, it's a beautiful thing when it all comes together!

Jan 30, 2015 12:53 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Margaret, For me personally I believe 8 homes is about the max for buyers in one day or every home runs together in their head.  And 15 minutes for your home?  Not even close to being enough.

Andrea, Fortunately MOST of our sellers seem to stick to the original schedule request so not a lot of shuffling required.

Jan 30, 2015 01:29 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning BLiz. I have heard so many war stories when it comes to buyers and sellers. I do enjoy the real estate industry, however, I do not think that I want to be a real estate agent. I'm happy kicking bricks.

Jan 30, 2015 05:31 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Bill.  That is why it is so important to have a written work plan.  Staying focused is a must.

Jan 30, 2015 07:48 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

The mark of true professionals.....there's a whole lot more to the process than just unlocking the door.  Excellent post.

Jan 30, 2015 08:33 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Michael, We get the occasional speed bump in our plans.  We're getting some snow over the weekend and I did have to factor that in to my plans.  The Miata I normally drive and snow isn't a good combo, so I've rented a car for a few days to make sure I don't get stranded.  Just one more wrinkle in our plans.

Conrad, Working with the buyer to point out potential home problems is key to saving them and us time.

Roger, Giving buyers a peek behind the curtains so they know there's more to doing what we do than just showing up and opening the door.

Jan 30, 2015 08:56 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

So true, it is a very finely crafted juggling act to do it well. I know you two do. We can't afford to drop the ball for our clients.  Have a great weekend. D 

Jan 31, 2015 01:37 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Bliz, And we never, ever, under any circumstances despite road blocks and unforseen situations, let 'em see us sweat! Great stuff.

Jan 31, 2015 02:52 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Fabulous indepth explanation of all that we do as Buyers Agents Bliz. Excellent.

Jan 31, 2015 09:02 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Debb, No  doubt, we always want the best for our clients.

Wanda, Nothing like turning a corner and seeing a ROAD CLOSED sign you didn't expect!

Bobbie, And all that just as part of thw showing preps!

Jan 31, 2015 09:21 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Screening the buyers, sellers and knowing the financing gig, the human life drama that can take its toll. It is like guggling!

Feb 01, 2015 11:35 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Andy, Much to do, and usually competing requirements to get it all done.

Feb 02, 2015 06:36 AM
Joy Baker
RE/MAX Insight - Salem, NH
So NH RE & Short Sale Specialist

Great post, Bliz!  All the upfront research is the mark of a good agent.  I find that buyers frequently do not notice things that are clearly stated in the public remarks.  The cash only situation is a good case in point.  It's our job to be aware of these issues and make sure our buyers are aware.

Feb 11, 2015 02:50 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Joy, No doubt a lot more going on in preparation than most buyers realize.

Feb 11, 2015 11:40 AM