Yesterday I was contacted by some out of town buyers. They called sometime after 11:00 in the morning and said that they wanted to see some properties around town. I started asking questions. I have never met the buyers and have not had any previous contact with them.
They wanted to look at homes that same day. I had to say no. There wasn't anyway I could show properties yesterday. They said that they were from out of state and that they only had one day to view homes.
After I said no I gave them some advice about planning ahead. It is likely that they knew ahead of time that they were coming to Minnesota. I need a little bit of time to set up appointments to show homes. If a home is occupied the sellers should have three hours notice before a showing. Every time we want to show a property to buyers we have to make an appointment with the seller. The seller says yes most of the time but not always. For vacant homes it still takes a little time to make the appointment and to get confirmation.
In general I am not sitting around waiting for someone to call me. I often have appointments or meetings or work that need to be done for my current clients. Sometimes my schedule is full and other times it is not. Realtors need a certain amount of flexibility to accommodate the schedules of home buyers and sellers but we have schedules too. The people that I have contracts with are my priority.
I have had callers lecture me when I say no. They tell me it is my job or they ask me if I want to make some money. Yes showing homes is part of my job but I don't get paid to do it. I only get paid if and when I sell a home and only after that sale closes. Like most Realtors I work on a 100% commission basis. Buyers have to prove to me that they can buy a home before I show them any.
There are some safety issues and some contractual issues to take into consideration. These buyers did not have a contract or any type of agreement with me. That means that they could buy a home and I would not get paid even though I showed them homes all day.
If you plan to buy a home out of state or in you own town it is wise to plan ahead. Find a Realtor, establish a relationship and schedule a time ahead of time to look at properties. For some reason calls for out of town buyers who need a Realtor right away are more common in July and August than any other time of year.
well said, T
Teresa
Your post applies to ALL buyers and sellers – not just out of town buyers.
After 32 years in the real estate business, I consider myself a professional and deserve to be treated as such.
I refuse to work with people who do not show me the same personal and professional respect I will show them.
I would never think of calling my attorney or CPA and “demand” to see them two hours after I call.
I have to make an appointment ahead of time.
Heck, I have to make an appointment to get my hair cut!
Yes I try to be accomodating to my client’s needs and schedule. But I have a life – both personal and professional, too. And someone who calls out of the blue is not even a client. I am not “beck and call” real estate agent.
Respect and consideration is a two way street.
Many people do not understand how the real estate world works and do not seem to care.
Your blog helps educate.
The sad thing is, they just call another Realtor that is “available”. Pop Tart
Yes they will find a realtor to show them homes. There are zillions of us and there is always someone available. It just isn’t me.
So many times we feel “desperate” to get a buy or a new listing that we do just about anything, include letting others treat us like less of the professional than we are!
AMEN SISTER!! Great Post! It is amazing in every state we all experience the same thing. Your a Realtor why don’t you DROP everything this second and show me around. I would never travel without a plan yet so many people do. It just amazes me!!