Sellers, Don’t Say “No” To Showings
It always amazes me at how many sellers will not confirm an appointment to show their home. I realize we all have a life and sometimes a showing is not convenient, like when you’re very sick or you’re having a party (or maybe the morning after the party), etc.
I tried setting several appointments for today (Friday) and tomorrow during the day. On each day, one seller said no. Then the receptionist asked if I could make it at a different time. My answer is always, "We’re out looking at that time. If my buyers don’t find something we might reschedule at a later date."
Most sellers allow the use of a lockbox which makes it very easy and comfortable to show their property, which is the only way it’s going to get sold. Yet many sellers still do not allow their agents to use lockboxes.
Unless there is a dog walking freely in the property, I don’t understand why someone would not use a lockbox. In 24 years I have never had any problems using a variety of lockboxes.
I’ve had showings where the buyers bought one of the homes out of the group I was able to show them. Maybe a home that was not confirmed would have been the better choice. But some buyers won’t wait around to see all the homes, especially in today’s Buyer’s Market, where so many properties are available.
I’m back to working with buyers for a much longer time than over the past 5 years because of the larger home inventory we now have. The only reason I would continue working with buyers during the Seller’s Market was when they would keep losing out on full price bids to other buyers going over full price. Some buyers gave up looking back then and now have a nice selection. But if you don’t have easy showing availability on your property, your home won’t be in that selection.
The buyer you say no to might be the one that would have loved your home. If they don’t make it back you might have a long wait for the next one.
