DON'T LOSE BUYERS
MAKE YOUR PROPERTY EASY TO SHOW
WalterPierce.com
Is your property easy to show?
When you list your property for sale, you should do your part to get the maximum number of showings by making it easy to show. More showings mean more offers, and more offers mean you are more likely to get a higher price, and sell quicker!
Typically, after a realtor has searched the MLS and found a few suitable homes to show his buyer, he or she will call the listing agents or listing offices to get showing instructions and to make appointments to see the properties. Having been in this position many times, I can tell you how frustrating it is to get the listing agents voicemail but not get a return call in a reasonable time. When that happens, we will usually cross that property off our list.
I always answer my phone and it follows me home, or to my car, or to my desk at the office. Agents or buyers interested in seeing my listings reach me easily and that helps increase the number of showings.
Some instructions state "Listing Agent Must Accompany." When an agent is showing four or five properties, it is virtually impossible to accurately predict arrival time at a particular listing. And if he or she arrives early, or the listing agent arrives late, an awkward wait with clients results. Some unscrupulous listing agents use this technique as a device to deliberately limit showings by other agents to increase their odds of selling the property themselves, thereby doubling their share of the commission. A seller might think the listing agent is showing extra initiative by agreeing to accompany every showing. Don't be fooled -- This is a bad idea.
Showing instructions might also state "24-hour notice required" or "appointment required." Either of these is also sure to lose some agents and their buyers.
The best way to make your property accessible to agents with potential buyers is with an electronic lockbox. There are some very successful buyers' agents who will not show a house that's not on a lockbox. Don't have them skip your house!
Some sellers fear for the security of their home and may not realize the safety features incorporated in this system.
Heres how it works. The lockbox containing your house key is secured to your front door. Licensed agents, active members of the Realtors Association, have an electronic key that looks and works something like a TV Remote. If a key were to be lost, there are two safeguards preventing its use by an unauthorized person. First, it is password protected and its internal password is updated on a daily basis at the agents base station or "cradle." Second, each time it is used, the agent must enter his own private pin number. The SUPRA electronic lockbox itself, is an electronic marvel. Before releasing its contents, it verifies the key has been updated that day, and that the user has entered his correct PIN. It also records the name, license number, company and date and time used, for each opening. This information is later transmitted to a mainframe computer and is available online anytime, to the agent who owns the lockbox. Cheaper combination lockboxes do not have any of these security features.
A lockbox on your door does not interfere in any way with your entering or leaving your house. You work your door locks the same way you always did.
