And what time will that be?

Well, I'm making appointments for another purchase. See, I've made a commitment to myself to work alot smarter and yes, sometimes it is harder as well as I handle alot of calls during the entire day and evenings, along with weekends.

What amazes me is that the market is picking up and sellers may not really know if their Realtors are available during the day, evenings or weekends. We all assume. We all are guilty of making the "almighty assumption".

Rainchecks are fine when the product is not available and it is on sale at the store.

Rainchecks are not fine when it involves a property that is on the market.

Right now I am looking at a property that is again, back on the market for a third time. Why a third time? It could have been pricing, market conditions, how the showings were handled (lockbox vs agent who assists the buyer's agent to get the offer in for close). The schedule for this property is Monday through Friday after 5:30 and weekends after noon. So, let's just visit this scenario. Doesn't seem bad now does it? When I look at a property with limited showing time it says to me (and I'm talking about my mindset) that the agent works during the day. The agent isn't full time in his/her mindset and that could cost the seller, carrying costs, decline in market value as we are still in an area of slower depreciation (btw, I am greatful for that) but more importantly, when their are restrictions on scheduling beyond the appropriate notice, it sends a Wi fi signal along with the "one photo" which makes most consumers "pass" on your property if their is only one photo, that just maybe, just maybe it's going to be too much work as the Realtor is restricting times and with the one photo, my clients "pass" on you and it takes a lot for me to get them to see your home because one photo says to them "They are hiding something".

The photo issue: While I am on the subject of photo issues, when your property shows three different views of the front, the back of your building and the garage and no interior - that's a RED FLAG. When you limit the photos the consumer already has a bad taste in their mouth and is more cautious to move forward on your building .... all because of limited photos, restrictive showings .....

Is this what you want? When you go to Sears and look at refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers, do they show you the corrugated box with the drawing of the product on it? Would you buy such a product wihtout not seeing it? If that is all Sears showed even on their online product presence, a photo of the corrugated box with the drawing of the appliance, you going to be motivated to see it? Not me!!!

You want someone who knows, understands, about rainchecks (agent/house availability), product display (pictures, staging) and you want that salesman that listens to you and cares so much about your final result that he makes sure that the product you are looking for, fits the bill.

Until next time,

Barb Van Stensel
Third Generation in a Family
of Real Estate Professionals
Chicago, Illinois