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If You Have to Say 'Easy to Show'... It's Just Not....

By
Real Estate Agent with M Realty

Believe me, I have had sellers with some challenges related to showings - a dog, children napping, - I do get it.  But if you have to say, 'Easy to Show' in your remarks, I'll betcha it's going to be a pain in the proverbial a** to show...

Spare me the 'Call First', 'Appointment Only' remarks.   For example 'Call 555-1234, and if no answer call the seller's cell number at 555-4321.  Someone usually home but need to remove dog.  Easy to show.'  This is not an example of easy to show.

Instead, be honest with me.  'Worth the extra effort to see' or 'If you're having trouble gaining access, call the listing agent.'  But don't tell me, 'Easy to Show'.

And for the Seller's out there, heads up - one of the best ways to get your home sold is to make it accessible.  We are in a time of high inventory.  Agents, as well as their buyers, don't have the patience to jump through too many hoops to see your home; there are just too many choices to move on to.

I'll share with you 2 very recent examples (both with the Easy to Show remarks):

1- An 'Appointment Only' listing.  The listing agent needed to meet us at the property.  Note that when a buyer's agent is showing multiple homes, they give a window.  For example I gave the agent a 10:45 to 11:00 window.  I called 20 minutes before and said we'd be there at 11ish.  We got there at 11:05 and waited for the agent who arrived at 11:25.  Not fair to me, or more importantly to my buyers.  20 minutes is a long time to wait when the other properties have '0' wait time.

2 - Today - I showed a highly qualified buyer homes.  She has 20% down, high credit and is currently renting.  She's the ideal buyer.  After showing all the homes on our list, the only remaining home was 'Appointment Only, Easy to Show'.  I left several messages and as of Saturday night was told that it can't be shown until Monday (it's Saturday).  The unfortunate thing is that based on my conversations with the buyer, this was a home with potential to be the 'one'.  My buyer can't see property during the week so this home will really be a challenge for us to see.

 

 

 

 

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Lindsey - I have had so much trouble in Las Vegas with home owners when I try to show there home. I explain to my clients and try to encourage them to look at homes that are vacant, why? Your post says it all. Also a home that is vacant for 6-12 months the sellers really want to sell. You can come in with a lower price and explain to them it's been on the market for so long. But if my client like a certain house and really wants to see, by all means, I show it to them.

Robert Swetz

Sep 13, 2008 07:36 PM
Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est
Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA
Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales

Don't you love it??? NOT!!  I had one that really confounded me.  It was a 24 hour notice thing. I called, hoping that we could give 6 hour notice.  LOL.  Nope, no can do.  So we waited until my buyers could see it - a week later.

We got there and the house was a freaking MESS.  I mean, a REAL MESS.  Dog food all over the floor, dirty dishes and laundry everywhere, stinky smell...and we just wondered...we waited a WEEK to see this dump?  We wondered what the 24 hour notice was about, and then we decided they must have needed time to hide the drugs or something.

LOL

Sep 13, 2008 07:37 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

Easy is vacant and open all day with the air conditioning on and no fowl smells and the landscaping looking good.Thats what I call easy to show.

Sep 14, 2008 12:32 AM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

I hate some of the cliches, easy to show = pain in the a**, motivated seller = pain in the a**, call agent before showing = pain in the a**. And the all time best, the hidden lock box Lol...

Sep 14, 2008 12:44 AM
DeAnna Felix
Staging For You, Inc. - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

What's even more "Easy" is if it is vacant-staged home.  Then you never have to worry about fowl smells, messes, or making an appointment to show this home.

Oct 28, 2008 05:59 AM