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.”

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.

Leave a Reply