I am a real estate broker and I mainly work with higher end, serious clients. Recently my assistant called one agent four times trying to get an appointment on a particular home that is for sale. The morning phone calls went like this:
1. Today’s request DENIED because they want 24 hours notice (we called at 9 am for a 4 pm showing)
2. Tomorrow’s request DENIED because it must be after 5.
3. Tomorrow’s request DENIED because oops now it must be after 6. (Buyer only has a babysitter home till 6 pm)
4. Friday’s request for any time before 12 noon DENIED because seller must be home to care for the large dogs in the house.
I didn’t try a 5th time.
What does this say to a buyer? A seller (or seller’s agent) who denies four appointments in a row, when I have a ready, willing and able buyer in hand is just a fool.
The best thing you can do when your house is on the market is make it READY TO SHOW. Keep it clean and neat to the best of your ability at all times, and don’t turn down showings.
This seller lost out today. The buyer was discouraged that we could not get in. In fact, the image the seller (or agent) conveyed is that this house is hard to show, and so imagine how hard it will be if the buyer LIKES it and wants to make an offer? If the seller is this difficult on scheduling showings, how difficult will he/she be in negotiating and handling the deal?
Food for thought.