Listing Agents, make sure you have done the following before you actually put your listing into the MLS.
1. Put a lockbox on the door. Surprisingly enough, I have actually scheduled showings and gone out to show a property with my client, just to find out that the lockbox is not on the door. The times this has occurred is when I have either called the showing company or relied on the MLS listing that states the type of lockbox and that it is a “go and show”. If the showing company or the listing itself communicates to me that there is a lockbox on the door, I expect it to be there. There is nothing worse than taking time out of your busy day to drive your clients to different properties, just to find out that they cannot view it because the LA did not put the lockbox on it as was stated in the listing or via the showing service.
I know that we are all anxious to get the property in the MLS as soon as possible so people can start seeing it. Putting incorrect information out there (e.g. lockbox is on the door when it's really not) can be more of a detriment than anything. I've had clients who were fed up with the LA wasting their time, that they did not want to go back to see the property. With so much inventory out there, just make sure that you have all of your ducks in a row.
2. Put a key in the lockbox. It may sound like something really basic, but again, you would be surprised at what LA's do sometimes. If you are an LA, slow down, and just go through your checklist to make sure that you have actually completed all steps before making a listing active in the MLS. You do not want to get potential buyers and renters upset if they waste their time coming out to a property with no key to get in.
3. Make sure the tenant has agreed to let people see the property. Just a week ago, I called a LA to schedule a showing of his listing. The LA told me that I could not see it. Of course, I asked, "Why not?" The LA tells me that the tenant will not let people into the house. Now, mind you, this property has been on the market for a few weeks now. I asked the LA why he would keep this listing in the MLS as ACTIVE if he knows that there is a problem where the tenant is not allowing anyone to enter the property. He should really have the owners withdraw the listing from the MLS until they finish with whatever legal battle he told me they were going through with the tenants. In the meantime, he is wasting the time of agents who call him to set up an appointment.
I know that the 3 things listed above seem very basic and seem like common sense things to do. Again, what is common sense to you is, in my experience, not necessarily common sense for the next person. So, as agents, we must make sure that we ask these extra questions before taking our clients out to view listings. You will thank yourself later for saving time and gas money!
Lanette Brooks, MBA
Broker/Owner
Solutions Realty and
Brooks Real Estate Group
301-541-7020
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