Agents: Do You Find Value in the Brokers' Tour?

I absolutely agree that the broker's tour is an important part of selling real estate.  Many times you might view something and then find the perfect client for the property.  Always good to KNOW the inventory!

Yes, I think that a few hours a month is a cheap price to pay for the local knowledge of a dozen or so agents.

Yes I think it is valuable. I think sellers appreciate it too. We tour every week! Some agents are too lazy to do it, or maybe they don't think it is valuable. It shows support for our fellow agents, and helps with pricing and suggestions for the listing. :) I think it is the professional thing to do!

Lisa-I try to do the Brokers tour, I think it is a great way to see what the New inventory is. 

Lisa, I'd love to tour more if I could. I just can't justify the time spent. I work hard to get buyers and sellers and try to get to know the inventory while doing "double duty."

If it is done right it can be a good tool. However, I feel that we are trending towards a more socialized, internet savvy society. I feel that it is maybe more important to put our best foot forward in those areas instead of taking our time to see a few houses. In our area, some of which is rural, we did not tour out properties at all. We had quit going on a physical tour, but actually looked at all the new listings via the net and a projector. We were able to see way more properties and it allowed all of our sellers to have exposure to all of our agents not just a select few in certain areas. I am for sellers!

Lisa:  However it is accomplished, I think it important to be well-versed and knowledgeable about the inventory of homes available.  I would think, however .. that nothing beats the physical visit to a home.  I've always thought that homes have an almost living, breathing personality to them ... something you can't detect from a picture alone.  Maybe that comes from having seen and visited so many homes during my appraising days ... not sure.  But some homes just seem to have "something" that others do not and you feel it immediately upon entering the place.  Again, you don't get that from a pic.  I think it's great that you take the time.  I think it will end-up giving you an edge ...

Gene  

Hi Lisa,

I find house tour valuable as do my sellers.  We fill out feedback forms for the sellers plus we give verbal feedback to the listing agent as we walk through the homes.  The comments usually serve to reenforce things I've already told the sellers. 

A few years ago, we were on tour and I called a Buyer Client from the house to "walk her through" as I was viewing it.  She met me there that day and wrote an offer.  It wasn't an area that she was targeting, but the house was perfect for her!

Nothing beats knowing your inventory ...

Sue

Lisa--Absolutely!  As Gene (#7) stated so well, all the photos in the world can't take the place of "being there".  I think it's helpful to sellers to get as much agent feedback as possible, and I think we raise the level of service we offer buyers when we can elaborate on properties that might have caught their eye on the internet. I want to know as much as I can about our local inventory, plus I've also learned a lot from other agents, many of whom I never would have gotten to know without the Broker Open Houses.

(and let's not forget one of the side benefits...free lunch!  ;-)  )

I try to do the tour every week. I live in a fairly small city, so eventually I will probably see just about every home for sale around here, and that can't be a Bad Thing! I don't like it when I get an up-call and haven't seen the house in question...I don't feel I can talk about it as well as I should be able to.

It's true, homes have a palpable personality or "feeling" about them that has nothing to do with the decor or color scheme, but is part and parcel of what make them appealing to certain byers. And you can only  get a sense of that personality by actually visiting them.

There is no substitute for a physical visit, no matter how good or accurate the pictures.  Touring is a great way to quickly see the inventory (vs previewing each home on your own) plus it is a great way to develop relationships and network with other agents, which I find invaluable. 

Lisa--I agree with you 110%.  It is worth every minute.  My first company toured for years until they were bought out by company that did not believe in touring.  Now I am with their competitor who tours and the stats prove the value of touring.  Thanks for posing this question.

Yours sounds more like a caravan event.  We don't go in large groups on a set route, but just on our own to visit those on broker's tour.  Yes, it's helpful.  Sometimes the MLS listing doesn't catch my eye so much, but seeing it in person prompts a call to a would-be buyer.

The tour is invaluable with getting agents aquainted with new listings out there in the community and it also gives some a chance to meet and socialize with other agents.

You sell what you know. I definitely think it is worth it if you work with Buyers.

I've found tours to be very helpful.  Especially when a new agent- as I learned so much from the other agents while in the car with them & learned the areas I was unfamiliar with as well as short cuts I'd have never known about.

When I was a Realtor I never missed out on the opportunity to interact with my peers, as well as visiting properties. It was a winning endeavor, and I counsel my real estate Clients to do the same.

Stop by the ActiveRain Super Bowl Party if you get a chance. Geaux Saints!

Lisa - Welcome to the Rain. Yes I value broker open tour days as it is my job to know the inventory of my own areas... Shouldn't we be knowledgeable of our towns? It is the difference between full timers and part timers in my humble opinion...  Best of luck and keep on blogging