Why Your Feedback Matters

Hi Paula,

In my previous role as a real estate agent, I spent much of my time showcasing new construction properties. While feedback from buyer agents was sometimes scarce, I found that offering semi-custom options for buyers made a difference in minimizing most negative comments.

However, your request for feedback is valuable and deserves to be shared widely. Let’s help spread the word!

FEATURED in the Old Farts Club.

Thanks for emphasizing the importance of feedback, Dr. Paula McDonald — it’s such a simple act that can make a big difference in our industry. I appreciate your straightforward reminder that professionalism and courtesy go hand in hand. Grateful for your insights and for sharing this important message! 👍😊

Paula- I couldn't agree more. In a nutshell, it's the right thing to do. I've read some opposing opinions to this but their logic never made sense to me. 

Good evening Paula,

I do believe Feedback matters. Your point that entering someone's house is a privilege resonated with me. As you said: Therefore, giving timely feedback is imperative to not only thank them for the showing, but also to give them even the simplest of information regarding what the buyers thought of the home. It's just good manners.

Hello Paula - the quality of the real estate experience is a continuing education for the practitioner community.  

Good morning, Paula... I've long felt that the reason so many agents don't provide feedback stems from the fact that more agents work with buyers than with sellers and don't really understand why good feedback is so important to us listings agents and our clients. However, I've also learned how to ask for feedback in such a way that I receive it on my listings 90% of the time.

This is good advice to share.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

I love it when agents give solid feedback, it often helps with talks that I might have to have with the sellers, haha.

I disagree that providing feedback is our responsibility. Dr. Paula McDonald 

Does it matter? 

Could it help a listing agent and, ultimately, a seller? 

Yes. 

II prefer using phone conversations instead of forms for gathering feedback. Recently, some brokers have prohibited written feedback due to legal concerns. During these conversations, I ask my three questions and take detailed notes. If sellers inquire, I provide them with the information I can recall. I believe verbal, non-recorded conversations are safer in today's litigious environment.

Good morning Pauls. I have always been a fan of constructive feedback. That said, I also considered the source. You do make a good point about the privilege of entering a home. Thanks! Enjoy your day.

I remind agents that I want your feedback and I don't get it, I keep a list- you may ghost me this time, but next time "you'll likely be held behind the velvet ropes and denied entry". Agents that offer no feedback and send no offers are useless to me as a listing agent - do one or the other please.

This woman,  Dr. Paula McDonald  to start off with is a delight. As to feedback & input, the majority of times, if this is asked for, does much good depending on the risk & honestly levels of the players. Some people cannot stand truth & argue accordingly. When I am asked, I ask in return: How much truth can you stand? We go from there

Hi  Dr. Paula McDonald 

I've seen two extremes. 

One is the "No Feedback" Agent, if it wasn't for Showing Time and Supra you might never know they were in the house.  The other is a Tallahassee agent who calls you literally 60 seconds after you open the lockbox.  "Hi, Fred!  Is everything OK?  Did you get inside?  What do your Buyers think?  Anything I can help you with?" 

   Somewhere in the middle of those two extremes is the "Correct" way to leave Feedback.   Depending upon my relationship with the Buyer (Fiduciary), I may only leave a simple "Thank you, everything looked good, I locked it up, we will let you know thank you".  But I will leave something!

You're right, Paula. Feedback matters, whether positive or to the negative side. I shy away from the forms sent through the email though, too generic. Some sellers often overlook some things that might be preventing an offer to come in or those who keep an immaculate house day after day should be acknowledged as well!

If I do not receive feedback from agents, it's not held against them but the best feedback ever, of course, is an offer. 

It's so easy these days to provide feedback via Showingtime / CSS with a quick email. The agents who ghost you on feedback are ones who normally are not long for this business.

I believe many feel as a buyers representative it is not their job to provide help to the seller. I often find the questions somewhat lacking as well. I mean if I am going to put in an offer asking me what I think of the price is not required.

great post and very useful...especially on a topic that is useful for every business!

GREAT POST!  I so appreciate your list of reasons why we should always give feedback after showings.  It's my mission to always respond the same day of  a showing out of courtesy to the listing agent and the seller.  It also shows professionalism and they will remember you for that.  Giving constructive advice of why my buyer isn't interested in a home will help the agent communicate to the seller why their home isn't selling.  Some items you can't change, but changing the list price is always effective!