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Why Can't You Call?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX United Real Estate

What is it with Realtors who drive around with their clients, see a yard sign and then go up and knock on the door and ask to be let in?  What is it with homeowners, who open the door and let these folks in with nothing more than a business card and a "Can we see your house"?

Realtors -- You don't know the price, you don't know the status (Active, Pending, whatever), you just roll over and do tricks because your client in the car says, "I wanna see that one."  Where is your common decency to make an appointment and find out a little about the house like, is this in the price range for my client?  Why not just make a quick phone call to the phone number on the sign if you're too lazy to look it up in the MLS or call the showing service?

Homeowners -- Do you realize you're opening your door and letting a total stranger (possibly two or three total strangers) into your house without notice?  No one knows they're in your home but you! 

I tell my clients all the time that they need to get the call from me or the showing service I use.  There are wackos out in the world that look for "For Sale" signs. This is also the way I can keep track of people who have seen your house so I can call them back with the price reduction you've offered or the agent bonus you've offered.  It's the way I can tell you if one person or ten have seen your house.

Realtors -- Wouldn't you like to get the call that the Seller has just dropped the price $50,000???  Wouldn't your client love you? Too bad, you lose.  You didn't call.

 

PS..Can you tell I'm a little miffed by this.....

Comments (18)

Linda Pitts
Merck Team Realty, Inc - Brandon, MS

Excellent Post!  Anyone could pick up a Realtor's card and pretend.  I wouldn't let them in my own home and can't believe our clients would.  I would be inclined to think this might be the behavior of a new agent........not a seasoned agent.

Nov 20, 2008 11:21 AM
Ken Montville
RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD
The MD Suburbs of DC

Linda -- Amen is all I can say to that!

Nov 20, 2008 11:23 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Ken, In Metro Detroit we have to call.  We can't knock on the door. 

Nov 20, 2008 11:28 AM
Ken Montville
RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD
The MD Suburbs of DC

Russ - the thing here is that the Realtor is brazen enough to go and knowck on the door and the Seller is motivated to sell the house and let's them in.  Showings are far and few between so some Sellers open the door for anyone.

Nov 20, 2008 11:32 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Good points on safety. 

Also, I think you nailed it with the agent in the car with clients.  They say "jump" and the agent asks "How high" while on the way up!

Shows a complete lack of control by the agent over the engagement with the clients.

If you're out "trolling" for houses, you don't stand a chance.

 

Nov 20, 2008 11:36 AM
Angela Lawrence
Noble Merit, REALTORS® - Winston-Salem, NC
Broker/Owner

We get calls all the time from the agent wanting to get inside right now, we always refer them to the showing service.

Nov 20, 2008 11:41 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

These agents are not in control of their customers.  I usually tell everyone before we go out that we will drive by many other properties for sale but that those do not meet their current criteria.  However, if they do see something they feel is interesting, to let me please know so that we may find out about the particulars upon our return. I've never had a problem.

Nov 20, 2008 11:42 AM
Ken Montville
RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD
The MD Suburbs of DC

Mike -- "If you're out "trolling" for houses, you don't stand a chance."   I couldn't have said it better myself.

Brad -- I usually do the same but when I don't even know they've been there....

Silvia -- That's the way it should be done.

Nov 20, 2008 11:42 AM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Roll over and do tricks.  That's funny.  But that is how some agents operate.

Nov 20, 2008 11:49 AM
Darla Jensen
Edina Realty - Crosslake, MN

That's incredibly unprofessional.  It's hard to believe we have agents doing that.

Nov 20, 2008 12:03 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

You wouldn't think people would let them into their homes but most people are very trusting.  Good blog.

Nov 20, 2008 12:21 PM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Hi Ken

Well it may come down to one of two things, first they don't have a cell phone, and second they just may be unprofessional. Just kidding about choice #1, my bet is on # 2.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

Nov 20, 2008 12:31 PM
Ken Montville
RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD
The MD Suburbs of DC

Shirley -- I'm always surprised at how many agents just don't stop to think the house may not even be closely affordable or might be under contract.

Darla -- they do it more than you would believe.  I had one listing the guy knocked on the door at 9:00 at night!

Barbara -- Trusting and very motivated to sell their house.

Lou -- Unprofessional is putting it kindly.  Thanks for the kind wishes.

Nov 20, 2008 12:36 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Ken, you can look it up on MRIS Mobile on your Blackberry or whatever.  That gives you the price and showing instructions, so there's no excuse for a door knock.  That's pretty rude!

Nov 20, 2008 12:40 PM
Crystal Ledbetter
Texas Home Group - Montgomery, TX

miffed, rightfully so!

Nov 20, 2008 12:43 PM
Rich Mielke
REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD
REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

Ken, I had an agent call me recently from in front of one of my listings, with a client, and needed a SentriLock showing code. I called her back in about 10 minutes with the code (had to get to a PC) and her client "had to leave because he had another appointment".

Nov 21, 2008 12:34 AM
Ken Montville
RE/MAX United Real Estate - College Park, MD
The MD Suburbs of DC

Pat -- It's assuming  a LOT tho expect the agents that are so rude as to just knock on a door to even KNOW that MRIS has a mobile solution.

Crystal -- Thanks!

Rich -- I hear ya.  They have to have action RIGHT NOW but if you can't get to it, they boogie.  Just because they roll over and do tricks  they think everyone should.

Nov 21, 2008 02:35 AM
Alan Gross
PrimeLending, A PlainsCapital Company, Equal Housing Lender - Bethesda, MD
Loan Consultant

Great post. With today's technologies such as Blackberry's and laptop computers with cell cards you should be able to gather information on the house from your car before you even call to see if you can view it.

Nov 21, 2008 03:36 AM