There can be many things that can get a real estate broker or agent in trouble while working with buyers. On several occasions while out showing homes to potential buyer clients, many will ask you to show them properties or homes that you have not been given permission to show. They seem to think that brokers or agents can just open any lockbox to let them in to see properties, especially vacant homes. They have to be reminded that appointments need to be made in order to see any properties, whether they are empty or occupied.
What buyers fail to remember is that agents normally only show clients houses that met their criteria for a particular neighborhood. If that property was not on the list, most likely it was not in the price range or didn’t meet other criteria that was given. Just because there is a sign in the yard doesn't mean that property is still available.
Apparently in my market area there were a lot of brokers/agents who had been showing properties without prior authorization, since the board recently announced that there will be stiffer and harder penalties for anyone who is caught showing properties without prior authorization. Fines up to $5,000 and possible suspension of your license were mentioned in the notice that went out to all brokers and agents. Just because you have a Supra Key doesn’t mean you may open that lockbox without an appointment. Also, brokers or agents should not enter a property hours before or after their approved appointment time. Sometimes this may happen when there are combination lock boxes being used. Agents must never give out those codes to their buyers too. Agents need to always accompany their buyers on all showings too. But those Supra Key lock boxes can electronically send a message to the listing agent that someone has entered a property at a specific time. Listing agents who used Supra Key lock boxes can also set up instructions for their sellers to be automatically notified too.
It’s just easier to call Showing Time for an appointment and get approved to show any property that your buyers want to see. If you're in the market for buying homes in the San Antonio area, call Jerry at 210-789-4216 for your next showing appointment.
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