Realtor-Speak, Translated
I don’t know about other listing agents (representing Sellers), but I have to suppress an eye roll when, following a showing, the Buyer’s agent contacts me and asks to be “kept in the loop” if something happens.
That “something,” of course, is another offer.
Sometimes, Buyers need a day or two to put together an offer.
More often, however, the issue isn’t timing but readiness to buy: the Buyer is just starting their home search, or ” if they’ve been looking for awhile ” they’re unfocused, indecisive, etc.
Role Reversal
When the shoe is on the other foot ” that is, when I’m representing Buyers ” I try to avoid being the agent “kept in the loop,” because I know that when I receive such a call, the price of the home just went up.
Instead, I encourage Buyers to do their homework, learn the market, and ” when they’re ready to buy and have found something that’s a good fit ” to go after it.
Without waiting for competition . . .
P.S.: None of which is to say that, as a listing agent, I don’t keep track of what I’ll call “semi-serious” interest.
Such Buyers can help light a fire under the real Buyer.
See also, “Please Keep Me in the Loop” (and Other Dumb Things Buyers’ Agents Say)”; “You Know a Buyer Has Serious Interest When . . . “; “Serious Buyers: Top 10 Signs”; “Unserious Buyers: Top 10 Signs”; and “Is the Buyer Serious? Here’s One Clue.”
