Thread: Questions about Agents

I am trying to sell my home in northern Virginia. I have had many calls from agents stating they are coming over or would like to come over at a specified period of time. I've been really happy with the calls in this market today. However, I've only had 1 person actually show up.

This happened to me yesterday after returning home from a trip out of town. I drove straight through with my family, got the message that someone wanted to see the house at a specific time. I raced around, recleaned everything, vaccuumed, cleaned the hardwood floor & then left for 3 hours. When I came home, noone had come. I could tell because the carpet had not been walked on at all. It was cold, raining, and late.

Isnt' there a code of ethics that agents use for treating people? In talking about this at work today, everyone I spoke to has told similar stories. Constant no-shows are frustrating.

I don't care if the individuals change their mind or time gets away from them and they just can't make or they found another home. I just want to know that the appointment has been cancelled.

I just wanted to voice this frustration. Thank you for reading this post!

Being an agent for over 15 years, I think the agents that don't show have done you a big favor. Those are the last people who could sell your home properly and you would be wasting your time with them far more than they with you.

Has this been a single agent or have several agent stood you up? Not only is this rude but it is unproffesional. If it is one agent then I would drop a hint to the broker, if it is many you may need to look at other reasons.

Is the house located far from the city and the buters don't what the drive out?
When driving up, are buyers being turned off by something on the outside?
What is the neighborhood like?
What are the streets leading to your house like?

Neal
HouseViewOnline
HouseView Magazine

First impression is everything. Try calling the agent the day before for confirmation....

This may be a little off topic but worth saying. Personally I think that some sellers put way too much effort into a showing. Don't get me wrong, I love a great looking home. However, on the first visit to a home people have so much racing through their minds that they will never notice all of the hard work you have put into the showing. I tell my sellers to pull out all the stops on the second showing. On the second trip, they will notice much more and evaluate things more closely. Make it count!

I had 4 homes to show on my schedule. I only showed 3 and then did an out of the blue showing on a listing in my office. The reason why I never showed house #4? My buyers objected to the neighborhood after seing home #3 located in the same area. I told them I had another home scheduled for showing but they didn't want to bother. So, the home never showed. Might have been the same with your home. don't take it personal.

on edit: my homes were vacant, so there wasn't a homeowner waiting on me.

I would have your agent contact the agents that set the showings up and see why they aren't showing.

There may be a reason, does your house back up to a main road? (For example)

Regardless of the reason it is unprofessional. Sorry to hear that.

Bottom line is they should of called and canceled there showings.. I would ask my agent why that didn't happen

It is not clear in your posting if you have your house listed with a broker. Based from your post, if sounds as if you do not. If this is so, this may be a good time to consider listing your home.

It may help relieve some stress by moving all but the most necessary furniture into a storage unit. Research how to "stage" your home for sell on the internet. The less inside means the less to do when showings are planned. Plus, it may help to sell quicker!

I understand the frustration with no shows. When represented by a professional, it is only reasonable to have professional courtesties extended. However, that is sadly in an ideal world.

Good luck!