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Common Courtesy - Give it a try!

By Michele Webb

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Properties, Inc.

March 15, 2007 03:52 PM

We've all probably received the following call from one of our sellers:

"Hi Michele, I just wanted to let you know that Joe Schmoe never showed up for the showing." Ugh, how rude. You apologize to your seller on behalf of the rude agent and hope it doesn't happen again. Most sellers are reasonable and realize this isn't you fault, but it's still a call no one wants to receive.

Let's get back to basics and work on some common courtesy. Fortunately most Realtors that I've encountered operate with professionalism and courtesy, but there's always someone making the rest of us look bad.

Some of these ideas are so easy to implement and can really make you look good to other Realtors and your clients as well:

If you aren't going to make it to a showing - CALL and cancel as soon as you know.
If you are running late to a showing - take a moment and call to let them know. (I actually make sure my buyer hears me make the call. 9 times out of 10, they comment on how nice it is that I'm calling and not just showing up late without warning.)
Take note of how the front door is locked and duplicate what you found upon exiting the home. Lock only the locks that were locked when you arrived. This can avoid a seller not being able to get into their house later.
Leave the home EXACTLY as you found it, unless instructed to do otherwise. If all of the lights are on, assume there will be other showings and leave them on.
Ensure the home is locked up properly. A seller should never arrive home and wonder who left their back door unlocked.
DO NOT use the bathroom when showing a home.
If children are with you, keep them with your group. They shouldn't be exploring on their own and playing with things in the home.
If it is your listing, please place the lockbox in an easily accessible location. (No one wants to walk through knee-deep snow to get to the lockbox hanging off of the back deck.)
Be honest and thoughtful with your feedback. The day after you've shown 15 listings, the calls for feedback can be an annoyance. Please remember that the listing agent doesn't really enjoy making the call either, but they need to be able to tell their client something.

Any other thoughts? Comments?

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Jim & Maria Hart

Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC Real Estate

We showed a home last year and the sellers were a very cute older couple. They couldn't leave for every showing, so they just moved onto the front porch when a showing was scheduled.

Their agent told us that there had been one showing scheduled around 3pm one day, but when the prospective buyers and their agent drove by the home they decided that they didn't want to look inside, so they just drove off. That agent never called to say that they would not be looking at the home.

Later that evening, around 7pm, the selling agent called to check on the sellers, and they asked him if it would be alright to come back inside even though the showing appointment had not come by yet. Needless to say, the agent was a little irritated about his clients having sat outside for over 4 hours.

This made me realize that even though the sellers may not be our clients, we need to respect them and let them know if we do nit plan on showing their home. Their time is worth something, too.

Mar 16, 2007 05:04 AM

Theresa Cavanaugh

Global Realty Marketing - Appleton, WI

I don't understand why people don't use common sense or courtesy. My guess is that those of us who follow those simple to understand and do rules, aren't the ones reading this post, if they are, I bet the just lurk without apologizing :)

Mar 16, 2007 11:20 AM

Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696

Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL

Selling the beach in Florida's space coast

Michele, it boggles the mind, doesn't it? I had a buyer call to see one of my listings. We set an appointment for later that day. I called a couple of hours before to confirm as I was 70 minutes away. He didn't return my call but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and headed to the showing appointment. The scheduled time came and went and no buyer. 20 minutes later (yes, I was still waiting there) he calls me that he's running late. How nice of him to be so thoughtful. I waited another 40 minutes and he never showed up nor picked up my calls. So now I was out a full hour waiting, and almost 2.5 hours travel time. Precious hours wasted. I was fuming.

Mar 17, 2007 11:25 PM

Michele Webb

RE/MAX Properties, Inc. - Monument, CO

ABR, QSC

Hi Maggie! I have had something similar to that happen. Last year I was meeting a buyer who called on a sign and we set up a time. 20 minutes after the scheduled meeting time, I finally got her at home feeding her toddler (as if she had ANY intention of meeting me?). She told me that she'd give me a call when she could and I told her not to bother. I can't imagine working with anyone who has that little consideration.

Mar 18, 2007 01:22 AM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Michele.... I am a lender, but I totally agree with the common sense theory of being courteous. Is it that hard? no... just lazy people, both in real estate and mortgages. Sorry to say, but even by some consumers. As you can see, I tend to speak my mind. I would be a bad politician. Wait... no, I would be a good one, an honest/upfront one. ;o)

On another note... Welcome to Active Rain....

jeff belonger

Mar 18, 2007 12:37 PM

Desiree Daniels

RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Michele

Great post. You'd think that all of that was common sense <sigh>. But I learn at least once a week that its not. Sometimes you have to wonder who hands out Real Estate Licenses'.

Leaving a light on is one thing, but unlocked doors and no calls for cancelling is not okay in my good.

Best wishes.... and thanks for putting your thoughts (my thoughts) out there.

Mar 18, 2007 12:57 PM

Common Courtesy - Give it a try!

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