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Why Wouldn't You Show Me That Home? You Were ALREADY THERE!

By Joni Bailey

Real Estate Agent with 101 Main St. Realty 518539

May 31, 2012 09:26 AM

Why Wouldn’t You Show Me That Home? You Were Already There With Those Other Folks!

I want to show you property. But not during my client's appointment,

My clients and I were looking at a property when a truck pulled up and blocked my car in the driveway. We waved and went on with our tour. They got out of the car, followed us around, and stopped to peek through the windows. I had already shown the inside of the home, and the doors were locked.

As we were walking down to the boat house they said, “We saw the for sale sign and we’re looking too.” I smiled, nodded, and continued my tour with my buyers.

Take a look in the mirror and tell me how you would feel?

Why didn’t I go talk to those buyers and try to set up a showing for later?

Actually, there are several reasons but let’s just keep this short and sweet. The most important reason that I would not show the property is....

It would be rude.

I have an appointment with the family that I am showing. They are my clients and it is my responsibility to look out for their best interest -- not mine.

What if the tables were turned? What if I were your agent and you were seriously interested in purchasing this home. How would you feel if I suddenly invited more buyers to come and look at YOUR house?

What if the tables were turned?

OR...

How would you feel if I stopped showing you in order to take the other buyers name and number so I could call them later?”

I feel pretty certain that since you are really, REALLY interested in purchasing this property, you would think that all I care about is selling a house and NOT my clients.

So... THAT is why I would not show you the house when I was already there with those other folks.

Don't just drive around hoping to get a sneak preview of a home!

Now then... Instead of driving around hoping to get a sneak preview of a home or two while you are out and about....

Hire an agent that will put YOUR interests first.

If you still haven’t found one, give me a call. You already know first hand that I will put your interests first.

That home may not be available now... but there are more.

Let’s go check them out before the other agents with their clients snatch them up!

Why Wouldn’t You Show Me That Home? You Were Already There With Those Other Folks!

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Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Great job at putting your present clients interests first, hopefully these other people will appreciate this and be future clients.

Jun 01, 2012 04:04 PM

Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES

Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA

REALTOR and Broker

Well done and well said. I have encountered this situation before. Tough to explain to lay people.

Jun 01, 2012 04:38 PM

Phil Leng

Retired - Kirkland, WA

Phil Leng - Retired

Hi Joni,

This situation happens a lot.

People like to wander on their own, which is great, but then they want a free showing, while they happen to drop by.

Phil

Jun 01, 2012 08:00 PM

Randy L. Prothero

eXp Realty - Hollister, MO

Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

Imagine the bad place you would be in if they put in an offer and your buyers also put in an offer. Not to mention creating a competitor to your clients, they also may be gathering information about your clients to be used against them when competing.

Jun 01, 2012 08:32 PM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

I don't answer my phone during showings and frequent leave my bluetooth earpiece with my phone in my car....I don't want to APPEAR distracted

Jun 01, 2012 08:48 PM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

Great advice. I have the same thing happen to me recently. I handled it the same way.

Jun 01, 2012 11:18 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have told people at a house that showed up to drive to my office to meet the duty agent and left it at that. I don't abandon my client, but I certainly try to get the walk up to my office if I can.

Jun 01, 2012 11:33 PM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Jeff: Agreed!

Evelyn and Jan: Thank you!

Christine: You bet!

John and Bob: Absolutely!

Gary: Well... at least I tried! HA! ☺

Phil: We are pretty rural and it doesn't happen all that often. When it does, they almost always want to know why we are not letting them tag along.

Randy: EXACTLY!!

Wallace: I turn the volume down and put my phone in my pocket for emergencies, but I do not answer it unless I have called another agent regarding a showing for THAT client, and am waiting for them to return my call.

Christiansen's: :)))

Tammy: Personally, I hoped they didn't get in touch with anoyone to see the house. The key here is that I had seriously interested clients. (Who have put in an offer on the house. Waiting...) ☺

Jun 02, 2012 12:58 AM

Bob & Carolin Benjamin

Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ

East Phoenix Arizona Homes

You did the right thing -- yes it would have been rude -- but it could also potentially be unsafe or even a total waste of time -- after all who are these people. Are they really house buyers or would be robbers? You had never met nor talked to them before. At the point when they encountered you there was no way to check into who they are, if they are qualified to buy, or anything. One rule good to follow is to get people pre-qualified before showing them anything and know who they are. Our 2 cents.

Jun 02, 2012 03:22 AM

Rob Lang

At Home Kansas - Shawnee, KS

Local Expert in NE Central Kansas Real Estate Home

That's great that you put your clients first. I hope their offer gets accepted!

Jun 02, 2012 03:47 AM

Sandy Acevedo

951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA

RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Joni, I would have told them that I was on an appointment, hand them my card for them to make the call to make an appointment. P.S. How did you get that blurred shadow around that first photo of the house?

Jun 02, 2012 04:01 AM

Tom Esposito

Alpharetta Home Solutions - Alpharetta, GA

I've had that very thing happen to me. The way I handled it was to step over to speak with the "visitors", learn that they were interested in this home, tell tham that my clients came first, but that I would be happy to speak with them later, give them a business card and go on my way with my clients. I explained to my buyers that these people were also interested, but that they would have to wait and/or contact me later. In this way, I was able to solidify my relationship with my clients, but also had future contact with a propsective buyer. By briefly explaining to my clients what the other "visitors" wanted, I was able to have my cake and eat it too. Your clients understand that you're a business person and that the "visitors" represented a source of potential business. They didn't mind so long as I treated them respectfully.

Jun 02, 2012 04:39 AM

1~Judi Barrett

Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK

BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Joni, I've been there too. You handled that so well.

Jun 02, 2012 05:34 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Joni, I'd have done exactly the same thing. I tell them to call their agent. kk

Jun 02, 2012 05:50 AM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

You handled that correctly, professionally, and weren't rude and you respected your existing relationship with the people you were working with. You didn't know anything about those people that showed up, so why even consider showing them someones house? I agree with Margaret Rome, I would have told them that you were leaving soon, and to please move their truck so you could leave. If they didn't move it fairly quickly, I would have had cell phone in hand ready to dial local police, or broker, or husband, or any safey partner you might have lined up, especially if the house was vacant. ( and if possible to do so safely, take photos of them and their truck ). Safety Tip: Don't ever pull so far up in someone driveway that you can't drive around them to get out if you get blocked in, and never hesitate to drive across someone yard if you feel trapped or threatened.

Jun 02, 2012 09:22 AM

Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

You were right. We know nothing about the person coming up to the door and letting them in is not only rude to your client but a safety risk as well.

Jun 02, 2012 11:50 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Well said Joni! You have a servants heart... helping others is one of the special gifts that you've been given. You can never go wrong putting the needs of others first!

Congratulations on the well deserved feature!!!

Jun 02, 2012 01:16 PM

Digital Digital

Alachua, FL

full service

Hi Joni,
Congrats on this feature!
I love the way you handle this situation by focusing on your client's best interest.
Keep up the good work!

Jun 02, 2012 01:17 PM

Joni Bailey

101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX

Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

Benjamin: I actually had a list of things in the blog, but decided to get to the heart of the reason. Safety was one of the big reasons!

Lawrence: They countered today so we will see.... ☺

Sandy: You can get a drop frame from picMonkey.com or iPiccy.com (FREE)

Tom: What if they called you to show it later that evening and then wanted to make an offer on it -- AND THEN your original buyer wanted to make an offer on it that next morning? What would you say to them? Sorry... remember those folks that dropped by when I was showing you the home yesterday.... you know, the ones I gave my business card to and told them that you came first. I sold it to them last night. I told you that someone else might buy it while you slept on it. -- No thanks.

Thank you, Judi!

LOL @ Patricia!

Erica: Exactly!

Jeff: The neighbors on both sides were watching the whole thing. But hey, I have no problem driving across a yard OR backing into a truck if necessary, if I felt thretened. I did not.

Cindy: Agreed.

Thank you, Linda ♥

Wandanna: Thank you! You too!! ♥

Jun 03, 2012 03:05 PM

David Grbich

Realty One Group - www.FindCARealEstate.com - San Juan Capistrano, CA

Orange County Real Estate - 949-500-0484

Joni - very impressive - you handled it well and I would want you to represent me!! Regards Dave

Jun 05, 2012 07:45 AM