I just got back from an appointment with one of my buyers. I was meeting her and her husband to show them a house for sale
They called me a couple of days ago and asked for additional information on the property. I did the research. Then I called the listing agent's office to set up the appointment. "Is it still available?" I asked. I was told, that, "yes it is." I was given showing instructions and we had a set time to look at this vacant property that has been on the market for over 9 months.
Then, I called the list agent directly to confirm the availability of the property. I left a voicemail and did not receive a return call by appointment time. These days, I typically follow up with the listing agent directly, as sometimes the listing offices are not always aware of an offer coming in, or an accepted offer immediately.
On my way to the property, the buyer called me. They had arrived at the house 10 minutes early. "Sandy, we are at the house and we are standing here with the new owner of the property. He said he is closing on the property next week."
"What?" I asked.
"Yes, he said that he is here to have the water turned on and will be closing on the property next week."
"Let me call you back," I said.
I dialed the listing agent. He told me that he had a written offer on the property. The bank had already given him a verbal acceptance on the offer, but nothing was finalized yet. So. I asked him if the contract was going to go or not. He indicated that he had no reason to feel otherwise that it would not go as the bank had already approved it verbally and he was waiting on the fully executed contract to come back from them.
Ugh... my buyer was already out, standing at the house, based on the information I had been provided by the listing office. I had been told that the house was indeed still available. The listing agent had not returned my previous call to confirm availiability.
I passed the information along to the buyer. I told them that if they would like to see it, I would be more than happy to show it to them, however, there was a good possibility that it was no longer available. Ugh again!
I really hate when this type of thing happens. I also don't like showing houses that are under contract or already have verbally accepted contracts on them. I know that things can happen, and the contract can fall, but invariably it always seems that the houses that are under contract and are being shown for back up, are those that the buyer falls in love with.
But, I do appreciate when I am told that the house can be shown, but it may be no longer available, BEFORE I get to the house. Let me know that first and then let me know if they will accept backups.
The buyers opted not to look at the property as a back up. They said they did not care to.
I apologized profusely and turned around and headed back to the office.
This article is authored by Sandy Shores, Melbourne FL REALTOR.
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