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Do you work with renters

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Real Estate Agent 0225218019

Do you work with renters? I had a couple walk into my office this week and ask me that question. Later in the week, another person call me and asked, "Do you work with renters?" 

 

It seems that many families moving to the Williamsburg area are searching for rentals.  Many of these families are military and quite often they have a house that they cannot sell.  I have to explain to them that I will be happy to search for properties for them on the internet and to contact the property manager or listing agent to set up a showing.  I also explain that with gas approaching $4.00 a gallon, it is totally impractical to spend the time and money needed to show prospective tenants several rental properties until they find the right house.  When I explain this to the propsective tenants and then refer them to a property manager they are usually more than happy to make sure that I get a finder's fee.

I have met agents who refuse to work with renters because they believe that it is not worth the time, but in this new market, agents may have to re-think their business strategy!

So what do you think fellow REALTORS®?  Is it worth your time?

This blog was written by Sybil Campbell, REALTOR®, 757-897-5889.


 

 

Posted by

Sybil Campbell, REALTOR®, ABR, SFR, SRES

Long and Foster, REALTORS®

(757) 876-0140

WHATEVER THE DIRECTION SYBIL CAN HELP YOU LOCATE THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS

sybil.realestate@gmail.com

Show All Comments Sort:
Karen Crowson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA
Your Agent for Change

Sybil, you're right about the gas costs, but it can be a prudent thing. A friend asked me to help her friends find a place to rent. So, I hope she keeps me first in mind when someone has real estate needs. I did show her friends a couple of rentals, but neither met their needs.  But, we did meet and connected. They then asked if I would help them find a house in a few months. They'd only moved into a rental to make there house in another community easy to show.  4 months later, and we're in contract. Renters can be future homeowners!

Apr 21, 2011 04:23 PM
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

I've done a couple of high end rentals for owners. The owners are clients who have property for sale, so this is a special service.

Apr 21, 2011 04:30 PM
Lorinda Ward
Keffer Realty - Norfolk, VA
Serving, Hampton Roads Virginia. Norfolk, Chesapeake, Va Beach

I have worked with renters and families looking for lease to own properties, the money went to help pay for marketing.  If they are looking for rentals in my area, I would still help them.  Great post.

Apr 21, 2011 04:47 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

It's great if you know the systems of the local property managers....Call a few and ask them THEIR procedures and find out where their applications are located * on their website, etc * and do some HOME WORK with them before attempting to work with them on rental prospects.

Agents in the process often results in rental prospects LOSING because the rental market is moving TOO FAST!

Apr 21, 2011 11:10 PM
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA
Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Sybil, 

Excellent advice!  We offer a number of homes for lease and handle property management.  I only show the homes I have listed UNLESS it's a referral and I am ok on time.  

It is very time consuming!

All the best, Michelle

Apr 23, 2011 11:02 AM