If You Text Message us to Schedule a Showing, Please Identify Yourself
I realize that we have more than one MLS in the Apostle Islands area (a few real estate brokerages belong to NorthstarMLS, others to SAAR and still others to Northwest Wisconsin MLS). Online services like ShowingTime or Book-a-Showing are rarely (if ever) used by real estate agents in this part of Wisconsin. Cellular phone reception is poor to nonexistent around here and signal coverage is spotty at best. Most agents in this area appear to use pushbutton lockboxes or dial combination lockboxes, instead of electronic lockboxes. Showings in our area are most often booked and confirmed by phone and email.
At Madeline Island Realty in LaPointe, Wisconsin, we prefer email showing requests, as they are easily documented and a paper trail is easy to print and add to the file for each listing.
It is a bit annoying to receive a text message that reads, "I would like to show your listing at xxx Main Street today at Noon". I want to know who is requesting the showing, their company/office name and a phone number so I can easily confirm that the showing request is legitimate. Real estate listing brokers are charged with the responsibility of protecting our listing clients and their property.
Once in awhile, I use this blog to subtly communicate with real estate colleagues, as well as clients and consumers. It is a good way to send a reminder to area real estate agents without scolding or embarrassing someone. All real estate agents need to be reminded now and then about best practices in our industry.
So I'm asking that fellow agents with other companies respect our listing clients and clearly identify themselves as real estate licensees. If you must schedule a showing by text message, please identify yourself and your company, and please also provide a phone number so we may confirm the showing easily.
If You Text Message us to Schedule a Showing, Please Identify Yourself
Comments (9)Subscribe to CommentsComment