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Dominating a Caravan? This Shouldn't Happen...

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Green Light Real Estate

The third Tuesday of each month is the Montpelier Agents' Caravan.  It's a great chance for new listings (those that have come onto the market within the past month) to get a quick shot of exposure.  All of the Realtors in Washington County are invited to attend the caravan, and they usually take just a couple of hours.

As a Realtor, and a student of the Montpelier real estate market, it's very important for me to see all the homes for sale in Montpelier.  I need to know what they look like, how they feel (even how they smell) so that I can advise my clients.  I need to know them inside and out to ensure that my comparative market analyses are accurate.   I need to be able to stop and say to a buyer whom I'm representing as a buyer broker, "You know, based on what you just told me, I may know the perfect house for you!"

I can't be the only one that sees the benefit both to people buying and selling in the Montpelier real estate market.

So, it was kind of funny when, at last month's caravan, our office (Heney Realtors) had 5 of the 6 new listings on the Montpelier caravan.  There were a couple of other new listings...but the agents didn't put them on the caravan.  As a result, no other agents saw them.

Ok, maybe the sellers didn't want their homes on the caravan.  Maybe they were waiting for next month to finish some tweaking. 

But our office also had 5 of the 8 agents that came on caravan.  Only two other agencies even bothered to send anyone to look at the new listings.  Huh?  I don't get it.

I want to know the Montpelier real estate market.  I want as much exposure for my homes for sale in Montpelier as possible.  I want to be best able to help my clients whom I'm representing as a buyer broker.  You'd think others would too.

Comments (3)

Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

Things are a bit different in my area. We don't do caravans, but we have 3-4 hour broker open houses.

Nov 28, 2010 06:46 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Ray-Sounds like you are really on top of things. Your knowledge will really help you convey the state of the market for your clients. Keep after it.

Nov 29, 2010 04:32 PM
Ray Mikus
Green Light Real Estate - Montpelier, VT
Green Means Go!

Vicky--Do you do the open houses just for the new listings, or for others as well?

Wayne--Thanks.  I really believe that you have to be a student of the profession.  Plus, it's fun! 

Nov 30, 2010 01:07 AM