Special offer

Did the agent show my house? There is no business card left!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

cardsI can't tell you how many times I receive an email or a call from  my sellers with this question " Did the agent who called show my house? They did not leave a business card!" I purchased plaques that say "Agents, please leave your card" for each of our listings to remind agents to please leave a card as a courtesy to my sellers.

An agent calls to say they are going to show my sellers home.  I instruct my sellers to  always leave to give them privacy with their clients.  Many times upon their return they are unsure if the agent has been there (sometimes it's obvious) because there is no business card left. 

Many scenarios are running through their heads...maybe they should leave again or maybe the agent just didn't show the house or maybe they didn't like the house when they drove up...the list is endless.  This all could be avoided if agents would just leave a card so the sellers would know if they came!!  Is this asking too much??  Do agents really skimp on keeping a hefty supply of business cards to pass out at any opportunity??

Posted by

(512) 750-6899
CALL OR TEXT

EMAIL ME

My ActiveRain Blog

ReloAustin.com
Austin Real Estate Website

CanyonCreekNews.com
Canyon Creek Neighborhood

I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Ginny,

I don't get it either. Your card is who you are and should be given any time possible!

Jan 31, 2011 03:57 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Bob,

I like to come into a home, put my card down pick up a flier for my client and hand it to them. Then I know I left my card.

Jan 31, 2011 03:58 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Lisa,

That is a good idea. I thought by a gentle reminder on a plaque "Agents please leave your card" where the fliers are would be enough! Apparently we need to sign in like a class!

Jan 31, 2011 04:00 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Michael,

I'm always impressed when an inspector leaves their card! Sometimes my seller has called for them to inspect a house they are purchasing because the inspector did a great job inspecting their home! You never know where business will come from. If you don't leave cards you won't have to worry about that piece of business!

Jan 31, 2011 04:06 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Anita,

I don't understand agents with no cards! At all times it should be on your list to re-order!! Cards are cheap and the best form of day to day advertising!

 

Jan 31, 2011 04:08 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Diane,

I agree its professional and just plain good manners!

Jan 31, 2011 04:18 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Liz & Bill,

It is standard to practice in our area to leave cards but more and more are not leaving them or just plain don't have them!!

Jan 31, 2011 04:19 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afernoon Mike,

Interesting how areas vary. The main reason we leave them is to let the seller know we have been in the house..when they come back home they be assured the agent already came. Feedback is a whole other story. It's hard to imagine leaving a card with your name on it to let the seller know you entered their home would be soluting a seller. But maybe there is grounds in your area for agents to feel that way.

Jan 31, 2011 09:06 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Melissa,

Here leaving a card is looked at as the polite thing to do. The agent calls, schedules a time to show, the seller leaves (or should) and the agent leaves a card to let them know they came.

Jan 31, 2011 09:10 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Dorie, It's customary to leave them here too.  I had a similar call from a seller who was very upset because a card wasn't left - many of my other sellers are part-time so we get the feedback long before a forgotten card is missed. 

One agent in our area has a very spiffy note card, especially made for  showings.  She leaves them at every house with a hand written "Thank you for letting me show your home today" together with a business card attached.  Now, that's one way to stand out! 

Jan 31, 2011 09:15 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Cindy,

Our feedback is separate from leaving a card when showing. The only reason to leave a card is to let the seller know you entered their home when they return. Often agents run late or some don't show up..yes it's very frustrating..a simple call to say your not coming would do! So if you leave a card the seller knows you came and won't wonder if they did not leave for a long enough time and just answers the question..yes you were there! A simple courtsey to extend the seller:).

Jan 31, 2011 09:16 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Thomas,

Isn't it interesting the different takes on leaving a card? This is not a threatening idea just a courtesy to let the seller know you came into the house. A reassurance they are done with that showing.

Jan 31, 2011 09:19 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Jayne,

I think that is a courteous thing to do and the seller really appreciates you do this.

Jan 31, 2011 09:21 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Doug,

Maybe the sign in sheet is the way to go..thenthose who don't have cards don't have to worry!

Jan 31, 2011 09:23 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Mary,

Debe has those cards and we created a style for me. I really like them and they do stand out!

Jan 31, 2011 09:25 AM
Rhett Laufenburger
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp - Peoria, AZ
Sun City West AZ Mortgages

great post.  As a mortgage professional i always drop my card to.  PS there magnets so great for the fridge

Jan 31, 2011 12:39 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I agree, why not to leave the card behind while showing a house?

I always write on the back of my card 'thank you' if the property is occupied.

Jun 07, 2014 03:58 PM
Anonymous
Kaetra

yes, please please leave that card! As a seller I can't tell you how many times we come back wondering if the agent was actually there or not. We always vacate with our dog during appointments and it's very reassuring to see that card when we come back so we know for sure the appointment is complete!

Aug 08, 2014 10:14 AM
#59
Anonymous
Teresa A. Donohue

I've had my property in washington state listed, its on acreage.. Ive had many showing and all people coming were supposed to be pre-aproved.. not all were, they also left doors unlocked, Unlocked windows, Agents not leaving cards, leaving lights on, no feed back from realitor, lack of communication and her side kick started looking through my drawers right in front of me... I called her out on it and stated she was looking for her keys? I asked her WHY she would think her keys where in one of my drawers...also this house is on 10 plus acres, sq footage is listed, all details where given with lots of pictures... so the feed back that I did get was..Wellll its a big house and alot of property and alot of up keep, then WHY are they showing the property??? Wasting my time??? This is very frustrating as the seller.. Realitor is not doing the job by asking for feedback and I hear that their is a 2,500 violation for not leaving a card after showing. So after each showing I have to tur. Off lights, LOCK doors, strange thing is.. I had all the widows cleaned inside and out... my friend and I went through house and locked ALL windows... so why am I finding windows on upper floor unlocked??? After some of the showings?? And could some of these people be casing house to comeback later??

Jul 29, 2017 11:18 AM
#60
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

I actually don't like when agents leave their card in my listings. My listing is not a platform for other agents to market themselves. 

Nov 17, 2017 01:39 PM