“I’m interested in selling my condo in La Jolla. I’ve already spoken with an agent who promised she’d accompany other agents for all the showings. Are you willing to do that?”
Answer:
No. I’d never do you such a disservice.
Your home should be shown via “call first/lockbox”. Meaning agents call you and arrange a showing or leave a message, then use the lockbox if you’re not home.
Your agent or his staff should accompany showings only if you:
– are famous
– are being stalked
– are selling a high-end luxury estate
– want your home to sit on the market longer and sell for less
Why do I say this? In upscale areas, many agents promise they’ll provide upscale service by being at all showings. Sounds great, right?
Well, here’s a hypothetical but all too real behind-the-scenes look at what often happens…
– Buyer Bill takes a long lunch to see homes Thursday with Buyer-Agent Barb.
– Barb calls Seller-Agent Sal to arrange Thursday.
– Sal calls a day later, “I’m busy then. How’s Friday?”
– Bill can’t do Friday, so they see other homes.
– Sal tells Seller Sylvia, “If they really wanted your home, they’d change their schedule.”
– Bill buys one of those other homes.
– Two weeks later, Sal tells Sylvia, “Your home isn’t selling. We need to drop the price.”
Similar problems impact homes that are shown “by appointment only” with the seller or where showings can only be arranged by calling the agent.
I wanted to see a condo Monday and called the agent Saturday to arrange it. She finally called Monday(!) and was having trouble reaching the owner. She actually said, “If you want a view, this unit doesn’t have much. Are you sure you want to see it?”
So remember: “Call first/lockbox” allows for the most showings, which means more interest, more offers, and on average a faster sale at a higher price.
