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A Different Kind of Tour in Rainy Baltimore,Maryland

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

It was pouring down rain when I  got the sign call on Rockridge Rd. It hasn't rained in Baltimore for months, but now when we finally had a good, hard, rain…someone was driving around looking at houses!

Rockridge-Too LateThe one he called about had just gone to settlement, and he was disappointed when I told him that it was no longer on the market. Of course, it was then THE perfect house, the perfect location, the perfect price – everything he wanted. And, he was qualified for exactly what that house was going for.

413 Milford MillAn interested buyer is not someone you let wander off. But he was out there in the rain, and I was home and dry. So I asked, did he have time to view a few other properties? Yep, he had time. So I gave him directions, turn right and go to 413 Milford Mill. Turn left on Greenwood and Right on Upland to 321. Back to Milford and take a right to 902 Adana. I stayed on the phone and "drove" him to all three of my other listings within the same zip code.

902 AdanaAs he approached each property, I was able to answer all his questions such as age, condition, number of bedrooms, type of heat, room sizes, additions, upgrades etc. This remote control touring seemed to be better than sending him back home to look at the website. After all, he WAS in his car even though it was raining, and thankfully I could give directions.

321 UplandHe seemed to really like Upland Rd. He asked for the size of the yard, so I stayed on the phone with him while he walked around the house, and I described everything to him from the parking pad to the storage shed, and he could see the large level backyard. No, I don't usually suggest that buyers walk on properties, but with my permission and with me on the phone…no problem. He was extremely appreciative. I asked if he was working with an agent, and when the answer was affirmative, I suggested that the agent call me to set up an appointment.

Wonder if his agent will call? I will keep you updated. But even if not...look how much time was saved. By being flexible and adjusting to his needs and the opportunity, we both came out ahead.

I'm not sure what to call this kind of showing. It's not a virtual tour. Maybe a remote tour? Driving tour? Flexi-tour? Whatever name we give it, I think of it as a Type E showing – effective, efficient, and a time saver. Plus, I didn't have to go out in a downpour!

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Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate
Hopefully with the wonderful photos and info you provided you will see some activity.
Nov 02, 2007 03:49 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Linda, Thanks for stopping by. "Forward thinking tour"  sure saves time.

FFM, There is a button to click over the members photo (I notice you do not have one) that says "add Associate."

Joeann, That's because I listen to smart people like you!

Neal, So nice to hear from you.  The Milford Mill property went under contract this weekend!

 

Nov 02, 2007 09:29 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Well, that was really, really nice of you. I'm sure you will be rewarded for you efforts.
Nov 02, 2007 11:36 AM
Anonymous
erica rome

The original patented HomeRome VF Steer for Mobile Homebuyers.

 Zipcode-specific Audio Tours. (ZAT)

Nov 02, 2007 02:30 PM
#7
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks Missy, I have not heard from his agent..but it still saved me a bunch of time.

Hey Er. Now that's cute..ZAT zipcode audio (or auto) tours.

Nov 02, 2007 11:13 PM
Anonymous
erica rome

sounds a lot like "Zipcar."  are you familiar with zipcars? great concept, but unrelated to this.

Maybe ZAT-Steer. 

Byline: "Want to shop for your next house without that pesky agent in tow? Consider ZAT-Steer."  (But no one will want to do this with you cause they all like you so much.)

 

Maybe something with a webcam and GPS so you can actually see exactly where they are and say "at your one-o-clock, you can see..."  If this gets invented, remember: you heard it from me first. 

Nov 03, 2007 01:18 PM
#9
Neal Bloom
Brokered by eXp Realty LLC - Weston, FL
Realtor CRS-Weston FL Real Estate

Margaret,

Great news! It is always nice to get a contract in todays market. Congrats!

Nov 04, 2007 12:10 AM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT
Margaret, I often give home tours via phone when people driving by my properties call me from their cell phones.  I have all the properties in my market area printed out and in a 3 ring binder, which I keep with me at all times.  In fact, I got a listing as a result of one of these phone tours.  The caller said his fiance's mother was selling her parent's home and since it was clear that I knew my market area like the back of my hand, would I mind going over to the home and discussing the sale of the home with her.  Fifteen minutes later I met with my potential client, then listed the home, and sold it. 
Nov 04, 2007 02:06 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Er, I love your idea.. Go perfect it and you can get all the credit.

Neal, Contracts are  nice in ANY market! Thanks!

Gail, Sounds like you have perfected this home phone driving tour. Congratulations on the listing and sale!  Way to go!

Nov 04, 2007 06:32 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Margaret:  I'll be looking forward to the rrrrest of the story!

Mike in Tucson

Nov 07, 2007 10:38 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Mike, Did not hear from his agent but..

.....Milford Mill is under contract, Rockridge is settled and we are in negotiation on Upland. I will be doing an OPEN HOUSE on Adana this Sunday.

Nov 07, 2007 11:45 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

That's great news, Margaret!  On a separate note, thank you for your part in helping me get to the bronze star level; I appreciate you and the other Active Rain moderators who make this such a useful community!

Mike in Tucson

Nov 07, 2007 11:51 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Mike, What a lovely thing to say about all the people who are so willing to share ideas here on Active Rain.

Nov 08, 2007 12:43 AM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495
As my attorney friend used to say, "It's the truth, as we know it!"
Nov 08, 2007 12:46 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Nice to have a good attorney friend, Mike.
Nov 08, 2007 12:56 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

MArgaret - what a clever thing to do - I bet he was impressed with you!! Too bad he ws working with an agent but perhaps things will move forward for you (hope so).

I actually did this a long time ago with a buyer who called and was driving around. Didn't have my own listings for them to look at but at least they got an introduction to the area. Seems to me they decided it was too expensive and they disappeared. But what a cool thing to do. I have done the reverse when touring a home for out of state buyers and give them a tour over the phone while I am walking through the house.

Jeff

Nov 08, 2007 12:49 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
Margaret, I love this post!  You are such a professional!  A lot of agents would have just told him the house he called on was already sold.  You went the extra mile.  His agent should send you a big old referral fee, or at least flowers!  Nice post.
Nov 08, 2007 12:54 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Jeff, Just seemed like the best thing to do at the moment. Another good idea for a talking tour when you have an out of town buyer. Hope you had them on the internet looking at the listing at the same time.

Patricia, I love you loving this post!  Just trying to  sell any and all of my listings. So where is his agent??

Nov 08, 2007 01:10 PM
Pat Hommel
Annapolis Plaza CB Residential and Commercial - Annapolis, MD
Annapolis, AA Co., Md. Real Estate Sales

Margaret, Great ingenuity!  A clever way to give a "personal tour" to a prospect.  You give a new meaning to GPS ..... Rome Style GPS Tour.   "When in Rome..."  You are always fun!

Nov 17, 2007 01:47 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Thanks,Pat, for your wonderful words. You know I love my GPS but this was a fun way of giving a tour and they were all my lisings.

 

Nov 18, 2007 03:38 AM