The Many Forms of Showing Feedback

How interested is a prospective Buyer in a given home?

It’s not exactly high tech, but the best measurement tool I’ve come up with in almost a decade selling real estate is  . . . a stopwatch.

So, the longer a prospective Buyer lingers in a particular home, the stronger their interest.

I’d go so far as to say that I’ve (almost) never had a client who spent more than 45 minutes in a home who hasn’t ultimately at least made an offer (make that 30 minutes if the home — or condo — is smaller).

The corollary for Buyer’s agents?

The more polite and deferential their tone (usually as evidenced in emails) . . .  the more interested their client.

Deal Signposts

Of course, you only know how long the showing was if:  1) they’re your Buyer; or 2) you’re hosting an open house, and are able to keep track of specific visitors.

As a listing agent, you’re not present (by definition), so don’t have a clue.

Too, a written offer — especially a strong one — is also pretty good evidence of Buyer interest!  

Well before that point, though, you’ll usually have a strong indication of interest because the Buyer will have done a second (or third) showing, their agent will be on your radar with specific questions about the property, etc.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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