Why Does It Take An Agent Time To Make My Appointments !

One of the very first discussions I have with all my buyers after we have agreed that I will be representing them is the general rules for scheduling showings.  This blog will give you an idea of how and why it is not always that simple to get into listings and what you should be expecting !

Why Do I Have To Go To Open Houses Without My Agent ! 

• The first reason is because although we work for buyers, we also work for sellers and they are at the same time.  We must send our buyers to open houses, because we also need to hold our open houses for our listings.  The windows of time for open houses are often similar if not at the same time so do not take this personally, go armed with your Realtors cards and if you do like the home your agent should make a 2nd appointment to accompany you for another look ! 
• There are also times where if a listing is a bit difficult to show the listing Realtor may have more open houses rather than private showings.  This is something that neither the listing agent or your realtor has control over - it is decided by the homeowners and how/when they want their home shown.  

I Saw A Home Driving Home And I Want To See It Tonight ! 

• If the home is vacant this is rarely an issue, but try and be realistic their might be a conflict in schedule.  Often times our week is booked solid by Tuesday or Wednesday filled with buyer and appointment at our own listings.  Generally if your working with a good agent they will call you to see what day/time that week you would like to go and look at homes this way the time is booked for as many homes you would like to see including those that might come onto the market during that week ! 
• Homeowners & agents that need to be their to accompany also play a big part in that availability of seeing a home. Homeowners imparticular will normally ask that you give them a reasonable amount of time to "prepare" for their home to be shown.  Your agent will be able to see this if the listing agent has it noted on MLS simply by pulling the listing information.  

My Agent Says That Their Are No Interior Showings ! 

• This may seem a bit ridiculous, who would buy a house if they can't see the inside of it ! This is more common than you might think - income properties are the most common occurrence because the house is not owner occupied and is rented out - they will not want their tenants disturbed unless the buyer has a proven interest in the home.   
• Also sometimes in the case of short sale/foreclosure because the tenants are protected by law that if they have a lease that although the house can be sold their lease is still in affect.  Commonly with those cases once the lease is up and the tenant vacates the home will than be able to be shown.  
• This is also common when your agent is calling on a listing that is an exclusive listing from another company.  Ordinarily you would not be able to be get access to these listings but when their is a buyer broker contract in place it does open that inventory up to you.  Keep in mind many homes that are being held on exclusive will normally have a reason for this, such as work going on in the home or in the case of an estate sale they might be getting the executor in place.  

Keep in mind when you are out their looking for a home that there unfortunately are some homes that are just a bit more difficult than others to see.  The general rule to have successful showings is to give your agent notice, and in turn they will be able to make arrangements for each one of those homes and you will have a nice day of home shopping  !