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24 Hour Notice is a Killer!

Reblogger Gayle Barton, Forsyth County Real Estate

Real Estate Agent with BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties 157561

March 28, 2011 01:04 PM

This is great post written by Tish Lloyd, a real estate agent in NC. I feel that it provides a very good lesson for sellers who make their home difficult to show as well as how many mis-read messages they may be sending without knowing. So, I'm sharing with the readers on my blog today.

24 hour Notice is a Killer!

I'm working with a very motivated, QUALIFIED Buyer. He is going to buy a home in Carolina Beach, NC. But not one of the many homes which have "24-hour notice required" in the showing instructions. Not because of any time constraints on his end, but because of his thoughts on what 24-hour notice means.

"I don't want to waste my time trying to look at a house that needs 24 hours to bring up to showing condition. If they can't keep it ready to show then they're not taking care of the home anyway. And in this market there's no excuse for not letting a home be shown. If they're that difficult about letting it be seen, I can only imagine how difficult they'd be in negotiations. No thanks."

I have explained to him that sometimes the notice is due to an ill family member. And he agrees, that's a valid reason. But if it's simply because the Seller, or their Agent, wants 24 hours notice, he's not interested. He's bought and sold many of his own properties, he knows the drill and he understands the real estate market.

There are very good reasons to require notice, but rarely is 24 hours truly needed. And if you, or your Agent insist on making it difficult for Buyers to see your home, then you're missing out on a possible sale. Is that 24 hours so important? Do you REALLY need that time or was it suggested to you that it would make your home "more desirable and weed out the un-qualified Buyers"? If that's the case, then I'm afraid you received poor advice.

I know what you're thinking. "If they're really interested, they'll wait." No, they won't. They'll assume, as my Buyer does, that either there is something wrong with the home, or the Sellers and/or their Agent are difficult. I'm not saying he's right, I'm just letting you know how Buyers may interpret the 24 hour notice requirement.

This is a resort area. I cannot tell you how many times I have sold a home to someone who was here only for the weekend and decided to look around -- they fell in love with a home and the lifestyle our area offers. It happens more often than you think, and it is a wise Seller who recognizes just that.

Truly motivated, qualified Buyers aren't going to wait for you. They are going to go ahead and look at the home down the street, and there's a good chance they'll buy it. Is that a chance you're willing to take?

***********************************

Copyright © 2010 - 2011 All Rights Reserved

Tish Lloyd, REALTOR®

Broker

NC Real Estate Lic. 269076

Prudential Laney Real Estate

527 Causeway Drive

Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

910.547.1446

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Francis Rolland

Coldwell Banker - Los Altos, CA

- Since 1985

So true, about the hidden messages the sellers are sending without knowing. How many times a deal has happened because the sellers were pleasant and welcoming, and made the buyers feel "at home" and in any case most "welcome". Why don't people see how much a buyer may be swayed by an attitude that says "we want you, and we love you". When I show properties, I find that buyers do respond to a warm welcome, and they do consider the house more than otherwise. I have even seen my clients buyers bend backwards trying to find more pleasant features in the house, when I would have thought they would not like it - just because those sellers were so nice with them.

When you are told: "call and we'll see if we want to see your clients tomorrow", the buyers sense it, and they are already cold to the idea of looking at the house. When there is a true reason for a 24-hour notice, I find myself having to defend skillfully the sellers position, and explain the (sometimes true) excuses they have, so that the buyers are not turned off.

So, yes, I agree, sellers have to think twice before making their home to hard to get...

Mar 29, 2011 12:14 PM

John Michailidis

Real Property Management of Sarasota & Manatee - Sarasota, FL

Real Property Management of Sarasota & M

I completely disagree with the sentiment of the post. I think 24-hr notice is professional and respectful. I personally would never list my own property with less than 24-hr notice, so I would extend that same courtesy to others..

Mar 29, 2011 12:33 PM

Gayle Barton, Forsyth County Real Estate

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY Georgia Properties - Cumming, GA

Cumming GA Homes For Sale (404) 710-0204

Thanks for your comments guys!

I expected this would generate mixed emotions, but it certainly opens our minds to how a buyer can mis-read what a seller believes to be a simple request.

I also work in a popular tourist area where "time in town" is often limited and I can speak from experience in regard to the fact that, in this market, any inconvenience whatsoever can cost a showing.

I guess it all comes down to what is acceptable in a given market.

Mar 29, 2011 12:51 PM

Tish Lloyd

BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Wilmington, NC

Broker - Wilmington NC and Surrounding Beaches

Gayle ~ Thank you for re-blogging this post -- I am genuinely honored. By the way: (I think Francis really hit the nail on the head!)

Mar 31, 2011 02:59 AM

24 Hour Notice is a Killer!

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Gayle Barton, Forsyth County Real Estate

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