At the risk of turning an otherwise positive blog into a world-class rant fest, I thought I'd share an experience that just boggles my mind in this slow market.
I have a young, qualified, eager and responsible client who is looking to purchase a multi-family here in Baltimore to live in one unit and rent the other. We had scheduled to see eight properties today, and were actually able to view TWO. Of the other six, there were five who just didn't return my calls for showings (after three days of trying) and one who insisted that the key must be picked up at his office (miles out of our way) in order to show. I left early, so as to not take time from my client to play go-fetch, and headed to the listing agent's office (incidentally, and office that I was once affiliated). Needless to say, the key was not there, after I was assured that it would be waiting for me at the front desk.
Long story short, people...I cannot sell it if I cannot show it. You are not serving your client well if you cannot arrange a showing on THREE days notice. I can almost guarantee that these agents are also the ones who are complaining about how bad the market is. Do your job, I want to sell your listing...at least call me back...you remember the phone, right? That thing that used to ring off the hook when the market was HOT?
I take solace (as does my client) in the fact that if we have to work so hard to view the property, so do other folks...I'm a persistent bugger, and we'll get in there before the competition.
Thanks to those of you who have called back this week....I'll return the favor!
We all have experienced the very same issues. I have listing that are tenant occupied and virtually impossible to show. If I had a cash buyer with a full suitcase walk-in to my office- I CAN'T GET IN!
It is a very annoying situation-
Thanks for the post you make a good point. I know what you are talking about and how frustrating it is.
Now, that's frustrating! We have it made here in Tallahassee, compared to that. Almost every home has a lockbox and it's usually very easy to make an appointment when needed. Baltimore is a lovely city. I lived there for a couple of years right after the Harbor area was revitalized.
Do you have a sentrilock key card? The reason I ask is because some of the smaller brokers in the area do not and some will not even show their clients homes, instead they want the listing agents to do it for them (although that doesn't sound like the case with you).