We've all been there before. You walk into a home and there is any number of things that automatically negatively influence your opinion of the house you are viewing (whether as an agent, or a buyer). It could be a strong odor of fish; I had this happen once with a listing of mine. In their defense, someone called for a last minute showing and dinner had already been prepared so there was no getting rid of that smell in time. It could be a home that hasn't been cleaned recently, overly cluttered or just a really weird layout that leaves you wondering what the architect was thinking.
A lot of us are good at being "brutally honest" with our clients about what needs to be done to make their home show ready, but some of us aren't. This is where feedback can come in very handy. To the buyers out there, I would encourage you to be specific and describe to your agent the actual reasons you don't like that home. Don't feel bad and don't pull any punches, if it's not right for you, it's not right for you, but let us know why? Tell us that do to the clutter you had a hard time visualizing yourself in that place. Tell us that the floor plan was too strange and would never work for you. Tell us that the large amount of kids running around outside would never work for you, or conversely, tell us that the lack of kids in the area wouldn't work for you either.
To the agents out there, take the five minutes that is needed to give this important information to the listing agents. I remember a time when I would continually check for showings and immediately send email requests for feedback. I'm not exaggerating in that my response rate was somewhere in the 30-40% range. Phone calls work to but most of the time we get a voicemail, leave a message and don't receive a return call. I recently discovered the wonders of an automated feedback system. I love this system and its capabilities (all of which are for another post). It can login into my showing system, and automatically email agents a short, 7 question survey. Sadly, my response rate is still around 40%, but fortunately it's saved me some time in not writing numerous individual emails.
My biggest beef is why someone can't be bothered for 5 minutes of their time to provide this valuable information that they will be requesting of us when we show one of their listings. I remember once where I returned home from some showings and was greeted by an email from an agent who had shown a listing of mine a couple of hours earlier. SHE emailed ME with the feedback and was very specific as to the reasons her clients didn't like this particular home. I was floored and so appreciative for that.
This information is essential to us, and to the other agents involved in the process. I would much rather tell my client that the amount of kids running around outside is why they didn't like your house. Can they change that? Of course not, although seeing an attempt to change it would be quite funny. Maybe a sign posted that there will be no playing outside between prime showing hours, etc.
So, here is my challenge to you! Buyers, be specific about what you like and dislike about a home and verbalize it to your agent. Agents, take the five minutes to return a phone call, and email, or fill out a survey to provide this valuable information. Remember, the five minutes you spend may provide that turning point that the other agent needs to get some changes to get their listing sold. More importantly, that agent my take the five minutes that you need to get your turning point and get your listing sold. We're all working together out there and it's time to remember that we all need each other!
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