Home > Blogs > Gita Bantwal > Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery Counties Real Estate. Tips for home buyers, home sellers by Gita Bantwal,Realtor at Re/Max Centre Realtors.

Just because a house is vacant does not mean you can see it right away.

By Gita Bantwal

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Centre Realtors

December 30, 2013 09:59 PM

I love the supra lockboxes. I can find out when agents show the house. I have shown houses that are vacant and buyers who see them sometimes ask me to show it again if we are in the area.

I am always happy to show a house the second time but I tell my clients that I have to call the listing office and set up the appointment.

Most of the time they give us instant confirmation but if it is after hours and I cannot reach the listing agent I do not show the house.

Whether a house is vacant or not homeowners like to be informaed when someone goes in to the house.

Sometimes the mls specifies that agents can just use the lock box and show the house. In such a case we can show the house any time.

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Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

A vacant house with a supra or similar box that doesn't have easy access is simply a listing agent who doesn't want to co-op.

Dec 30, 2013 10:13 PM

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400

The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY

Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

This is true Gita. It's not always easy to show a vacant house as sometimes the listing agent does not call back quickly...

Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty

Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL

Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

It seems pretty easy but many just don't read the instructions. Worse, they read and disregard them.

Dec 30, 2013 10:15 PM

Jeff Fisher

PureWest Real Estate - Whitefish, MT

PUREWEST REAL ESTATE/Christies

It's frustrating when instructions are clearly written but disregarded. Showings can be a breeze with a lockbox, if agents would just read them and follow along.

Dec 30, 2013 10:36 PM

Beth and Richard Witt

New York, NY

The best Retired Brokers !!!!

Not sure why all agents don't use lockboxes for easy access but that's their choice... houses don't sell until they are seen... Happy New Year Gita...

Dec 30, 2013 11:07 PM

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Most folks do assume that, as well as walking around and looking in windows...that is still trespassing!

Dec 30, 2013 11:19 PM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Happy New Year Eve Gita, You are right, buyers do not understand how the system works. We still need to call. Have a great 2014!

Dec 30, 2013 11:48 PM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good information for prospective home buyers.

Have an outstanding New Year!

Dec 30, 2013 11:50 PM

Joe Petrowsky

Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT

Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

I got a call from a Realtor regarding a home that we are renovating to flip. I have known her many years and she knows I am always willing to pay a commission. She said can you drop what you are doing so that I can show the house, my client is in the car right now. I told her where the key was so that she could show it on her own.

Dec 31, 2013 12:46 AM

Noah Seidenberg

Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL

Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Hi Gita, we used to have Supras but now Sentra which is a good system too. You have made a great point. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Dec 31, 2013 01:26 AM

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

You are absolutely right Gita...sometimes there are special stipulations on viewing times that sellers want adhered to.

Dec 31, 2013 03:36 AM

Conrad Allen

Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA

Webster, Ma, Realtor

Supras are great. Happy New Year Gita

Dec 31, 2013 04:11 AM

Gita Bantwal

RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA

REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Lenn, I agree it should be easy to show vacant houses but I do not show it until I am confirmed by listing office unless there are instructions that no confirmation is necessary.Sometimes they set the alarms for certain times so I dare not go in.

Larry and Sheila, Sometimes the office may be closed and we cannot get in touch with the agent.

Gary and Jeff, Some agents do not read the instructions.

Dec 31, 2013 09:03 AM

Richard and Beth, there are some sellers who do not allow lockboxes.

Kristin, I agree they do not realize they are tresspassing when they look through the window.

Will, You to have a happy new year.

Roy, thank you. Happy New Year..

Dec 31, 2013 09:05 AM

Just because a house is vacant does not mean you can see it right away.

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