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It Should Not Be a Hardship to Leave a Business Card at a Showing

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

It Should Not Be a Hardship to Leave a Business Card at a Showing

Every home that I list that is occupied by either the owner, or a tenant, there is one regular complaint that I could cue with a simple countdown.  Showing scheduled and that same day the phone rings with the occupant.

"Do you know if the agent that called to show the home today actually came by?  They didn't leave a card and I have no idea whether or not they were here."

Being the occupant of a listed property is full of inconveniences.  Leaving the home in tip top shape for your showing is one of them.   So when you don't leave a card, which at least 50% of the agents in my market no longer do, the occupants can get really upset.  Did they leave the house for nothing?  Clean the Chris Ann Cleland's Business Carddirty dishes in a rush for an agent that never showed?  Are you running late and still haven't been by?  Should they go back out?

If you are a real estate agent working with buyers, it should not be a hardship to invest in 500-1,000 business cards and leave them in every single property you visit.  If you think it's just a waste of money, I must say, it is the cost of doing business.

Of course, there are some benefits to leaving cards in the homes you visit.  First of all, occupants appreciate it.  Sellers especially do.  And they will remember you if you were kind enough to let them know you were running early or late.  Or if you had to reschedule.  And heaven forbid their agent doesn't get the job of selling their home done, your card is already there with the sellers.  They already like you.  You were courteous enough to leave a card AND you showed their home.  I've gotten calls from sellers in this situation, but you can't get that call if you don't leave a card!

Yeah, this is s soapbox moment, but yet another seller is calling me every day to tell me that agents are leaving cards and they are annoyed.  Sure I will get a report the next day or two from the lockbox, but the occupant has no way of know if you were there or not.....and they deserve to know now.  Please.  PLEASE, leave a card when you show a home.   

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Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

It's just good business practice to leave a card in the home. Sellers expect it.  I can't imagine why an agent would not leave a card.

However, we are lucky in California that we don't have a wait a day for the results of the showing to show up for our lockboxes. From the SUPRA website, I set my controls to email me the minute a box is accessed. I could also send an auto response but I don't. I prefer to tailor each email to the agent. I'm wondering if your lockbox system might have something similar?

Oct 27, 2016 11:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

I have to wait until the agent updates their SentriCard.  And if you are dealing with agents that have several days, or heaven forbid, weeks between showings, you don't get it for a while.  The app entries get more immediate response, but so many still use the card.  It's frustrating.  Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Real Estate Agent, Top 1% of Lyon Agents 

Oct 27, 2016 12:00 PM
Devona Garrigus
Garrigus Real Estate - Redlands, CA
REALTOR® / Short Sale Specialist

Soapbox moment or not, you make a great point, Chris Ann Cleland ! Great post!

Oct 27, 2016 11:59 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho

Devona Garrigus I agree.  Mark

Oct 27, 2016 08:14 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Chris Ann Cleland ,

It;s my pet peeve too. Come on how hard is it to be courteous to the sellers to let them know you showed their home. Its a good business practice and you would be surprised what can happen by doing so. You build a good relationship with the listing agent because they appreciate it but the seller is also taking notice..need I say more?

Oct 27, 2016 12:01 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Dorie Dillard --I even ask in the MLS for them to leave a card.  And they don't.  I am wondering if I left a sign in sheet if they would bother to do that.

Oct 27, 2016 12:03 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I will always leave a card with a hand written thank you on it.  Sellers want to know that they left the house with a reason. Although some of them will call directly looking for feedback and hopefully an offer

Oct 27, 2016 12:44 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Ed Silva --I wish  you worked in my market.

Oct 28, 2016 08:23 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I leave a business card but I know several agents who don't. On my last listing I had 35 showings but only 12 business cards. Supra is watching Chris Ann Cleland! 

Oct 27, 2016 03:30 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington --The immediate way for a seller to know someone has been in is a business card.  I know the lockboxes record it, but that's a delay.

Oct 28, 2016 08:24 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Chris Ann Cleland - isn't it a common courtesy to leave a business card after showing a home? I thought this is a 'normal thing to do'!

Oct 27, 2016 04:02 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Praful Thakkar --I thought so too, but clearly, agents in my marketplace are thinking it is a waste.

Oct 28, 2016 08:25 AM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Yes I love that the Supra box captures data but for sellers/tenants it's just common courtesy to leave a card.

Oct 27, 2016 04:22 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Michelle Carr-Crowe-Selling Silicon Valley Homes in Top Schools San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga, Palo Alto-Just Call 408-252-8900 --My thoughts exactly.  The card is for the occupant.

Oct 28, 2016 08:25 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

Good morning Chris.  Good post.  And I would not have taken it a soap box moment had you not stated it as so.  Good post.  Mark

Oct 27, 2016 08:15 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint --Well that's good.

Oct 28, 2016 08:26 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Chris. Leave a card as a courtesy! Enjoy your day!

Oct 27, 2016 10:13 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Especially in occupied homes I will leave a card. I know the seller wants to know that the house was actually shown and it is just a courtesy.

Oct 28, 2016 01:54 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Debbie Reynolds --Absolutely.

Oct 28, 2016 08:26 AM
Kartik Subramaniam
Adhi Schools, LLC - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Market Analysis--Educational Content, Adhi Schools

Aside from the courtesy, the self-interest is clearly there (as you stated). Seems lazy to not leave a card, expecially in a people business where an expanded network is necessary. 

Oct 28, 2016 02:37 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Cody Carmen --I am glad I don't think in a lazy or discourteous way.

Oct 28, 2016 08:27 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Chris Ann. This touched a nerve with me too. It is the cost of doing business, not only in real estate but in any business.

Oct 28, 2016 02:42 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Sheila Anderson --Exactly!  There are some expenses you should just expect.  The good news is that if you are showing a lot of homes and, therefore, using up a lot of cards, chances are you'll be able to afford a refill in the buisness card department.

Oct 28, 2016 08:27 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Chris Ann - You're right - it's a simple courtesy. And we have picked up listings on occasion from those cards.

Oct 28, 2016 05:55 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Dick Greenberg --You'd think the self-interest would be reason enough for agents to leave them.

Oct 28, 2016 08:28 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Most agents are so quick to put a card in anyone's hand, you'd think they would welcome the opportunity to leave one somewhere it would be seen...like Dick Greenberg said above, I have picked up listings from sellers who felt I "was trying to sell their house."  It really is just common courtesy to occupants. 

Nov 02, 2016 09:42 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

Susan Haughton --That's true.  Most agents carry them constantly and throw them at anyone who will take it.

Nov 03, 2016 07:44 AM
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