Common Questions About Showings & Open Houses

This week we will be talking about the common questions brought up by both buyers and sellers about open houses & showings !

What Is A Brokers Open House VS Consumers Open House ? 

• The brokers open house is something that is set-up for other real estate agents from both the company who has your home listed and other agencies in the area.  Brokers open houses are a bit tricky to predict the turn-out it will rarely be affected by the price of the home, but rather the area is what will determine the turn-out.  Certain areas will just not have the buzz about town on the 2 days that these open houses normally take place which can effect turn-out greatly.  Broker open houses are normally a bit shorter than the consumer open house, and most agents will provide refreshments & food.   
• You should have your consumer open house the same weekend that you had your brokers open house, the reason why is so that the brokers who attended can inform their buyers of that great house and tell them to attend your consumer open house !

Why Isn't The Listing Agent Holding My Open House ! 

• Keep in mind if your agent works with a "team" than it will still be as if the agent you signed with was holding it, real estate teams are common.  If you are listing with someone who has this kind of arrangement you will know before you have signed the paperwork for the listing if they did not inform you speaking with their broker is suggested.   Coldwell Banker has quite a few agents that are part of this trend and are all extremely knowledgeable and successful agents.  
• If you did not list with a team, their will still be the possibility that another agent may hold an open house.  Your agent should discuss this with you before it happens, I suggest though that all sellers ask this question at the time they sign into a listing agreement.  Occasionally  I will have other agents hold an open house, because of a large event where I can't possibly be at 4 homes at the same time.  Making sure you discuss this at the time you list is very important, I also suggest discussing the amount of open houses and advertising that will be provided for the open house discussed. 

Why Are Agents So Strict About Signing Into Open Houses ? 

• Safety, safety, safety !!! That truly is why - an open house is the most dangerous part of an agents job.  Not only are we in a vacant home, but we have signs directing everyone on exactly how to find us ! Put yourself into the agents shoes, and understand we are simply protecting ourselves and our homeowners ! 

What Should I Do If I Have An Agent & Attend Another Agents Open House ? 

• Some agents are very strict about who can/can not attend the open house. Personally whether you a have an agent or don't does not matter to me.  What is important is the feedback, if your working with a Realtor but don't want the listing agent calling you for feedback than offer it to them before you leave, that feedback is important for us to pass along to our sellers ! 
• If you have an agent try to have a stack of their cards or their information available to provide for the listing agent, they may ask you to still sign in with your information but again that is not  about only getting your information for most agents its about their safety.  IF that agent steps over the bounds and tries to solicit you after that than let your agent know immediately ! 

Who Should Be Present During Showings ? 

• Obviously the buyers and their agent will be their for showings, but homeowners should actually leave the home.  Buyers will often times feel as if they are intruding if the homeowner is their regardless of if they are nearby or not.  Sellers should discuss this before they sign the listing, if you are not comfortable having the home shown without you or your agent present you will need to make sure the agent is willing to accommodate that request beforehand.  
• If you are concerned about buyers getting all of the information about the "extras" your home has than talking to your agent about a additional hi-lite sheet is what I recommend.  Even if your agent verbally tells them, chances are they will be seeing a lot of homes and it might just be too much.  Making sure your hi-lite sheet is informative but don't be excessive listing things that are obvious.  Updated kitchen, is repetitive if their is a picture but if you have a chefs stove than the make and model is the kind of information you should make sure is provided !