I used to think that there isn’t such a thing as a real estate emergency but I was wrong. Usually the emergency involves a out of town home buyers who come into town and want to see houses. They call or write on Thursday or Friday and would like to see houses over the weekend.
This is a busy time of year for real estate agents and the weekend is the busiest part of the week. We have clients that we have been working with for awhile and already have appointments for the weekend. I occasionally respond to emergencies if my schedule allows and I have to say I don’t think I have ever made a dime that way. Most of us work on a 100% commission basis and we only get paid after we sell real estate and even then only after a successful closing. I honestly love to looking at houses and working with buyers but I also have to make a living. It took me a few years to learn how to say no.
Usually people who don’t know ahead of time when they will be in town are not prepared to buy a home. Sometimes home buyer’s don’t seem to know they are headed for St. Paul to look at houses until they get into the car and are almost here or at least that is what they tell me. These unexpected arrivals are more common before holiday weekends and in the spring.
People who want to work with an experienced real estate agent who really knows the area and the market should connect with an agent weeks or months before they come into town. Make appointments with that agent ahead of time so that it isn’t a last minute emergency and the agent can prepare for your visit. Also consider looking at homes in the middle of the week during business hours.
