The right way to view an open home
We viewed a home on Saturday that suits our needs in every way. But, the host of the open house was disrespectful and off-putting. When we went back and attended the Sunday open house we were met by a very friendly hostess. However, we were asked a lot of probing questions. It turns out neither host was the actual listing agent of the seller. So now my husband does not want to pursue the house based on our frustrating weekend. Why don’t these agents just focus on selling the house by answering direct questions?
First, let’s get your husband’s attention refocused on this property. Your biggest problem was attending the property without a buyer’s agent on either day. If you had an agent in the mix, the professionalism bar would have raised dramatically. Instead, you were treated as orphan buyers by aggressive sales people. In all fairness, the host and hostess most likely were charged with getting names and numbers of the potential buyer or seller prospects. The selling of property’s features during an open house is all too often secondary to prospecting for new clients. For example, some home sellers often hire big agents and never see them again. Instead, their team of underlings handle the open houses — coordinating vendors, retrieving seller disclosures, meeting inspectors, hosting the broker tour, creating/placing marketing and dealing with inquiries from potential buyers and buyers’ agents, et cetera. In this team sport of residential real estate, the name of the game is chasing future business while delegating the duties of a real estate agent to his and/or her minions. But, don’t let that bother your husband. That’s the sellers’ problem, not yours. An astute buyer’s agent can quickly gain insight to the property using the tools on our fine Bay Area Multiple Listing Service. Additionally, the team hired by the listing agent will share more information with your buyer’s agent than they will with drop in buyers. After your agent does their due diligence, he or she can skillfully help you determine if this is the right home for you. If it is, you’ll proceed professionally. If it isn’t, you and your husband will be comfortable taking your business elsewhere.
Full-service Realtor Pat Kapowich provides old-fashion service in a high-tech world. Call Pat for his list of the top buyer or seller mistakes at 408-2457700 or email Pat@ SiliconValleyBroker.com