Drive-bys and how to handle them

Great post- reblogged.

Hi Robin~  I absolutely would do and have done what you stated.  Actions speak louder than mere words!

Robin ... Thanks for sharing thoughts on whether to show homes the client sees on a drive-by.  We never "hide listings" and have shown homes in such situations even without benefit of MLS info.  However, it's better business practice to learn in advance what the client wants and expects in a property and to educate them on why it's better not to waste time with homes that are under contract and in escrow.  If they see a home that perfectly fits their criteria and in escrow, we might show that in narrow circumstances for them to confirm what it is they are looking for when the best one is available.

We used to do that all the time to our realtor when we were buying our first home.  After a couple times we learned to trust her and all went well.  When it happens now with my buyers, I am happy to use my mobile phone look-up.  There is usually a good reason why it wasn't on the list and they learn to trust me and stop asking about every sign.  I think you are handling it perfectly.

I like what Lenn has said above in her comment.  I usually give them a "well rounder/active/U/A /Pending list of homes in the area they are looking for.

Patricia

We usually make a point up front to let our buyers know that we may pass a home that isn't included on the tour and explain why. We don't want our buyers to think we aren't showing them all available options. I think you made a great point in that it is common for buyers to think we aren't showing them everything in their range and it's best to address it in some manner. Thanks for the post.

If it's a true out of town buyer, I have had print outs with us of each home in each area we are looking (Active, Contingent, Pending). But recently I have either put my branded Smarter Agent on their phones or I just look it up on the mobile mls as we're racing along. Sometimes the buyer needs to be the expert, give him the blackberry and let him fiddle for a while with gps based searches for data.

I explain to buyers before we leave that they may see some signs in neighborhoods that aren't on our list because it didn't meet their search criteria and that's why it's not on our list to see.

That is the great thing about PDAs.  Our local MLS allows us to search the data on the go.  It is great to get real time information to them...and no trees are killed in the process.

I do the love the screeching halt method...I wish I could do that here but NO WAY am I going to get  a listing agent to answer the phone!  Heck that's another post in and of itself...buyers are incredulous when I tell them that I have been unable to schedule an appointment because the agent won't call me back.

I like Dan & Amy's approach about talking about it up front. I am going to incorporate Lenn's suggestion also. Up until now I have always said because for one reason or another it didn't fall within your search criteria. Here is a PERFECT example of how simply and quickly AR has helped me become such a better agent.  Honestly, I sleep better at night because of all of you on AR. And I don't feel alone. Thanks again.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this blog. I think I might even re-blog it. Yes, I think I will. It's a great example of "wasting time" with a potential client and future referral source to demonstrate how darned cool you are... instead of trying to be oh-so-efficient with that precious time...

I like Lenn's way of handling this even better.  It shows your clients what you're doing without having to get hold of the other agent.

Robin, Isn't that the truth!  I have had that happen so often and almost always it is one of those reasons.

I use my smartphone to look it up and show them the reason it didn't make their search.

Congrats on the feature!  Great post-you and I think alike.

It would appear that those drive-by homes at least had curb appeal, and that's good for those sellers!