Early Evening Showings For the first time since mid-Fall, it’s now possible to take Buyers through homes — in daylight! — in the early evening. That’s because a 7:30 p.m., post-daylight savings sunset lets agents meet clients after rush hour and see 2-3 homes, at least if they’re relatively nearby (try saying that sentence twice,...Read More
Contending With Old Lockboxes, Unlabeled Keys, and Security Systems It’s just good, common sense, but you’d be surprised how many listing agents (representing Sellers) violate the following “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for making their clients’ homes easy to access. “Do”: use a new(er), easy-to-open lockbox that’s in good repair, and — if not on the front...Read More
Getting to Deal Breakers (Like Projected Remodeling Costs), Faster Eighteen months ago, when Wall Street-backed Buyers were vacuuming up Twin Cities homes, the first showing was effectively the inspection. That’s because such corporate Buyers purchased sight unseen (for cash!), and used the inspection to decide if they really wanted the home. See, “Cash Buyers, Sight...Read More
(But, You Have to Be a Realtor) So, how does a Realtor know if a home is vacant? (assuming the online photos don’t give it away first). When they request a showing, they receive an approval automatically (the Buyer’s agent gets an email confirmation in less than 2 seconds). By contrast, “For Sale” homes that...Read More
Momentary Lull? The word amongst local Realtors — corroborated by what I’ve seen personally — is that Buyer activity for mid-September seems to be unexpectedly low. That means fewer showings for Actively Listed homes, which means fewer deals in the transaction pipeline — and ultimately fewer closings later this Fall. The various theories I’ve heard:...Read More
Alternative to Pocket Listings: “Chaperoned” Showings Apparently, the way some agents persuade their selling clients to forego wide exposure on MLS and instead let them quietly market the home — presumably to their own Buyers — is by telling them that that’s the best way to cut down on curiosity seekers and other needless intrusion. No, it’s...Read More
