Today was another afternoon out with a buyer.
Overall his criteria are fairly broad. Ranch home with a basement and under $X dollars and within a reasonable distance from work. It can be new or resale, and his budget just allows him to squeak into the window for smaller new construction (depending on the builder and location).
We looked at one resale and had an appointment to meet with a builder's rep so we stopped by their model home. She was just finishing up with another appointment and it wasn't long before she was able to chat with us. Since I'd laid the groundwork with an earlier call, she knew what the buyer was interested in, so she put together a packet of floor plan and other community information. Right after that, she led us up the street to see two lots that had just started construction and to another sold home that was almost finished.
The net of it was my buyer walked away having a good feel for what his options were with that builder.
Now the same community also has a 2nd builder, so we decided to head up the street to their model home. It was closed with a sign that said appointment only, and a phone number.
With COVID, I get limited contact and not having the model open, it's a fairly current practice right now.
But a call to the number wasn't all that receptive.
"We're sold out".
"Yes, but you've got a 2nd phase coming in October, right? So who should we talk to in the interim to find out more information?".
"You can join our VIP list and we'll let you know when it's time."
That was pretty much the net of it. We'll call you when WE are ready, even though the customer is a VIP! We didn't need anything too specific, a few minutes to verify what might be possible would have done the trick. But that conversation didn't make the buyer feel very VIP-like. He's not really feeling like that builder is the right fit for him to make a major purchase, and I can't say I have much reason to argue with him.
Bottom line, if you're going to use the term VIP, it would be good if the actions matched the words.
Moving on to other options.
Serving Greater Cincinnati home buyers and sellers,
Bill & Liz aka BLiz
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