Hudson Valley Happenings Blog : An Open Apology Letter To The House Seller

Very nice Paddy.

However, I have an entirely different perspective. 

I'll post some thoughts. 

Thanks Lenn.  Can't wait to read it.  I don't often disagree with you so I will be waiting to hear your thoughts.

Paddy, so many agents don't bother calling to cancel or say that they'll be late. I do both because I carry a lot of listings and know how frustrating it can be.

You as the the Buyers agent, are obviously doing the best you can. No, you really can not control the Buyer or the other things that come up. Very well said.

I'm glad you brought this topic up in a blog Paddy!  I hear you loud and clear and certainly can empathize!  When I call to make a showing appointment, I refuse to be pinned down to a specific time, and make the appointment based on a window of time - I just make it clear that I cannot guarantee an exact time for the very reasons you outline, prefaced with "how interested are the owners in selling?"

"No shows" are another matter; unfortunately, it goes with the business.  Every profession has the "goes with the business" problems.  But this is an area where the listing agent should be playing an integral part by informing the sellers right in the beginning regarding such a circumstance and educating and preparing them.

Listing agents can also assist by making showing instructions complete and clear, such as is done when making clear what they are willing to pay a commission on.  It is so frustrating to arrive at a showing, have to search for an ELB (especially if the listing agency has not arranged for mowing the grass for the entirety of the summer and one is walking through a field) - to finally locate an ELB and then have to figure out which entry way the poorly cut key is for.  Or the ELB that is attached to an entry door, but the key is for another entry.  Tsk! tsk!  This could all be explained in the showing instructions.  These are the types of things that slow it all down.

Looking forward to reading other posts on this topic - glad you brought it up.

Paddy,

You hit the nail on the head.  When a buyer spends extra time at a house, it throws all the others behind and there's nothing you can really do about it.  I try to schedule 30 minutes between houses now just for that purpose.

If the sellers don't want to open their home and be inconvenienced with the work they have to put in when a potential buyer tours the property (even if they are a little late), do they really want to sell?

I would think it more frustrating for a seller when people fail to show up WITHOUT calling.  Hopefully their agent has advised them to always have their home is show condition (as much as possible anyway) and prepared them for the fact that there will be no shows.  Sellers have to flexible when selling their homes and I think most understand this.  The best we can do when representing buyers is keep the listing agent updated when plans change, whatever the reason.

Very nice post Paddy. I find it helpful to explain in detail to our seller clients what happens behind the scenes when we work with buyer clients so they aren't surprised or disappointed if a buyer cancels or postpones a showing at the last minute.

Paddy,

We're very fortunate that the sellers' phone number is in most of the listings. This enables us to easily and rapidly let the owners know of any unavoidable changes.

Paddy - it does happen when you are showing homes. I too call if we are running late. I know sometimes people get frustrated.

Paddy, Very well put.  I work with both buyers and sellers so I get both ends of this.  Ticked off sellers, late and no show buyers.  Most clients understand and do not get angry because we are late or cancel, but I also let them know I understand their frustration when it does happen and I also always call.

Nice letter Paddy! What a great idea - I never thought of anything like this as a blog.  With our sellers I always work them on the possiblities of agents not showing, being later than expected etc.  It's life and it's not worth getting their shorts in a bunch about it!

Paddy - very nicely stated. Sometimes stuff happens that we have no control over.

VERY nice.

It pays to be kind to the seller (or tenant!) even when we had to deliver some not so happy tidings . . .

Very nciely put.  The only thing you can control with your buyers is yourself.  You can't control the weather, the traffic and sickness.  Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Paddy,

great post!  It's often difficult to control anything these days, but most of the time, the Sellers and the Buyers can be 'prepped' for what to expect in the way of delays, weather, illness, etc.  Having the Seller's contact info in the listing also helps, And feedback is so important for Sellers, even if the info is not good...it's necessary.

have a great weekend!

Thank you Connie.  I appreciate your support and viewpoint.

Hi Renee How are you It has been a while.  Thanks for your great comments Looks like I hit a sore spot for you too.

I try too Bob but it isn't an exact science is it?

Sometimes I wonder too - Integrity Mortgage Funding

Absolutly Eric.

Yes I hope that most listing agents will prepare sellers for the possiblity of delay or no show Amy and Dan.

I don't think that the listing agents would like that to be on the listings up here Irene but that would make it easier to cancel or delay.

It surely does Sharron

I do understand it but I hope that they will understand the buyers also Tammy

It's always something isn't it Mike?

It does always pays to be nice.

Thanks Kristin.  We are not able to control a lot of things.  Enjoy

How about the buyers who want to stop in on houses that have signs out front, not even on their original list? These are always the best.  Having to go up to a house, not knowing if it is vacant or occupied, not knowing the list price or anything about the house for that matter, and taking up precious time.  I'm always amazed at how people feel wasting other people's time is not a big deal.  Great post and best of luck.

All things being equal, I first look for the vacant homes and then if we need to see others I make the appointments. I don't like to be pinned to a time either. Just put the lock box on the house, and personally, I don't care if your home or not when I bring clients. Just don't try to play tour guide and I'm fine with it.

If a seller is motivated, they will put the lockbox on the house and tell me to come whenever I can. It's not a date / appointment where I want to call and say I'm running late, we stopped for lunch.

Thanks for your thoughts Jerry It is amazing

Andrew I make appointments for all of them becasue many homes have accepted offers and they still show active on our MLS so the work time is done anyway.

Hi Paddy,  I've found that when scheduling showings it is helpful to allow the seller to remain in the home until I arrive and then they must leave.  It shows them the courtesy of respecting their time and helps a seller agree to a showing !

Paddy, thanks for asking!  It has been awhile for sure!  Just to comment on your thoughts one more time, this is what I think is great about the AR community.  Here we are having this discussion highlighting what it is like on both sides of a sale for the seller's and buyer's agents.  And I have no doubt that all will move on from this blog determined to do it better

I have not been paying enough attention to AR of late - having moved to represent RGB Custom Builders and rebuilding my website requires a lot of attention.  Additionally, and I certainly am not complaining, I have had my hands full with clients both for resale and new home construction.  Loving every minute of it, but sure do miss the contact on AR!

Ha...what an inventive post.  Love the imaginitive way you made your point.  We can't control others for sure, be organized and on top of it...then just be courteous when we have to let someone down...gently.

We just sold our own home w/in the last 2 years ! It's a great reminder of what our client's go thru and humbling !

Paddy- Wonderful post, great letter and congrats on the gold star!

VB

Great points Paddy! Not every seller has the benefit of having heard a full explanation of how we work and many have not bought a home in many years. Your actions are considerate...too bad all agents (and sellers) aren't as considerate. I had a seller just the other day give me fits about a showing time only to have them open the door as we arrived at the finally agreed upon time and ask us to wait...standing outside in the 97 degree heat for over 5 minutes while they raced around...the buyer was very impressed (NOT). 

As for agents, add to this that we will give you feedback explaining exactly what the buyer thought and we are doing a real service!

Paddy, What a wonderful letter, I hope all the sellers read it.  It is unfortunate that things happen but they are outside of your control and as frustrating for you as it is for them. Glad to see this featured.

Paddy,
What a wonderful letter---I am going to reblog it because it says exactly what I wish I had said!

Very nice Paddy, good for you! 

Patricia aulson/portsmouth nh

Excellent letter!  You're so thoughtful to think of the sellers. I have no doubt that your sincerity shines through when you call to rearrange the showings.  The Real Estate biz is about people, not properties, and you obviously get that. :)   My book is all about helping sellers keep their calm through the bumps and bruises of selling a home...  never take anything personally. That's my mantra! 

Beautifully written letter Paddy and it really gives the very feelings we all go through when our buyers leave their home in the dust.

All we can do is what our client's want...and that's that :)

As you say - things happen -- life takes over-- and despite best laid plans there are things that do not work out.

Great letter... and I have been on both sides of that one.  I think a lot of sellers (and buyers) would do well to read this. 

Hi Paddy~  I think every home seller should read this post!  It is almost impossible to stay exactly on schedule, so I always give myself an hour window just in case.  I even try to get my clients to do a drive by and look at the photos and tours ahead of time to eliminate them saying that they don't want to see it once they get up to the house with me.  But, it stil happens and they won't look. 

Paddy, great post, congrats on the star!

But what do you mean, you don't keep those buyers on a short leash? You don't keep to that schedule? I am shocked...

When I make the appt myself with the homeowner, or am leaving a message, I often will give the range of time I think we will be there, then I tell them that is "realtor time" which is different from "eastern time". I usually get a chuckle if I get that far with them. :D

Paddy - a very nice presentation of the issues we all confront at one time or another when working with buyers.

But sellers also need to be understanding AND flexible, for the very reasons you mention. Some really put up barriers and make it very difficult for us to do our jobs with our buyers and present their homes in the best light, given the condition, etc. There are two sides to the story.

Jeff

Jeff, check out Lenn's post on that very topic.

Paddy, thanks for articulating what so many of us feel but don't exactly know how to say to sellers when things get changed, sometimes at the very last minute.

Well done! I'm sure the "sellers" learned from this... I hope many people did ;-)

Things do happen when you're looking at several houses at once, and sometimes the best we can do it simply alert sellers to what's going on when things happen.

Bill we need to schedule through the listing office up here so I have no direct contact with the seller but in your case that might be a help

You are welcome.  I hope you can find more Rain time soon. 

Thank you Erika.  Finding different ways of saying things helps people to hear the message and not resist it so much

And you are one of those people Michael

Thanks Michael from Keller Williams and welcome to AR

Thanks Robert.  Have a great weekend

Feedback is important SarahGray.  Thanks for adding that to this discussion

Thank you Carole. I am always grateful when my blogs get noticed and a gold star is always an honor.

Thanks for the reBlog Cynthia.  I hope it helps some sellers to understand

Thanks Patricia.  I keep seeing Portsmouth people lately.  Have to go there to visit a long lost cousin someday soon.

Thank you Diana.  Good luck with your book.  I will check it out soon.

So true Sally.  That is all we have to do right?

I hope so too Vickie I know it can be so frustrating for us as agents too.

LOL Andrea I give a range too but if you spread things too far out then you are early and some home owners get upset with that too.

Yes Bob and Carolin the best laid plans often go awry

Absolutly Jeff There always are at least two sides and sellers need to know whats good for the buyer is what will sell the home!

You are so welcome William

Me too Lisa

That is all we can do Christine.  Thanks for the comment