Real Estate Agents, Stop Showing Properties To Strangers

Good morning Doug and brav o. You have beautifully stated the obvious but not all agents are able to see it.

I'm not an agent but stagers must take similar calls and walk into the homes of strangers. You can not be too careful!

Doug

Good riddance to that caller! Lots of red flags there and you handed it as I would have. Who wants to waste their time, plus potentially put themselves at risk!

Jeff

Doug, thanks for sharing a post that should be paid attention to.

Too many agents, run too fast after a lead. It can be a dangerous move and at the least a great waste of time.

Take the time to get some questions answered. In other words, vet the caller.

Thanks

Doug, you are blessed that the buyer hung up. There are far too many of those calls into brokerages where agents jump up and run out to meet complete strangers with no concern for their safety.

The key to staging is the really getting to know what the person really can relate to, I think.

And also be glad that you know what you’re doing and that you don’t have to do with that person.

No one has to see a  house in 15 min.  Hard to believe how some people behave!!  Good riddance!

Hi Doug, I get these type of calls often, it's unreal adults behave in such manner.

Yes, yes and yes!  It's the ones who want you to meet them in 15 minutes that are the most likey to be not qualified, already working with another agent, not serious yet, demanding and clueless to how it all works. Not to mention, which I think you did, the safety element of it all!

Agents have been too willing to drop everything with no assurance that a self-proclaimed buyer prospect is qualified... or whether it is safe for us or the seller. Anyone who doesn't understand that is a fool.

I had one ask me a similar question one day last week. They were in front of the house and wanted me to dash right over. It's not how my business operates. Appointments much be scheduled and buyers pre-qualified.

If I were a psychopath who wanted to really do someone harm, I'd probably play along with your questions.   I would make up a storyline, maybe even create a false identity with a false pre-approval letter.  The real whackos are clever and can really be deceptive.

This one sounds like me when I go to buy something at Best Buys and they begin asking me for my phone number and email address.  I just want to buy a damn TV.  I don't want to start a relationship.  These types of buyers usually just want to buy a house.  They are private individuals who don't want to be tricked into revealing unnecessary information that might be used against them in a possible negotiation. They are out driving around themselves because they don't want to be indebted to any particular agent.  They think that they can save money by going it alone.

Instead of grilling them like the Gestapo, sometimes it works better to try to connect with their situation.  Try to see if you can figure out why they are out doing drive-bys of homes for sale by themselves.  Something like "So you're out driving around and saw this home for sale".  "I guess you decided not to use an agent to help you."  Maybe make a joke and ask him "You aren't one of those crazy whackos who's trying to set me up and kill me, are you?" "You know there are a lot of nuts out there and I can't take anything for granted."

He'll either say FU or he'll start laughing and trying to give you enough information to convince you that he's not a whacko.  

I think in the beginning, we all run and then we get smart. Tim, above, makes a point when he says, " The real whackos are clever and can really be deceptive."

I agree. We should not be running out to meet a stranger at a property. That's just not safe or smart.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will NEVER HURT ME! When meeting potential clients for the first time, they come to my office, period. Great example of using restraint when attempting to qualify a potential buyer or Looky Lou Doug...NEXT!

I've had a few calls were I could tell the caller was getting upset with the questions, they didn't hang up. But, it they had, they would be okay too.

Great job vetting your client! This was a great pick by Kathy. Thanks for sharing!

Doug Rogers "Agents, if the caller will not answer basic questions, why the heck drop everything to go open the door. You could be putting your personal safety at stake."

Right on target - and - re-blog!

Second Chance Carol Williams ?