If you are selling your home and are listed with an agent, I am certain that your agent has already told you this... do not let anyone in the house unless you call your agent first.
The reasons are simple: safety and accountability. The main reason of safety is because we want to know who is looking and what they are looking for. Are they really looking for a house or an opportunity to snoop? I have read blog posts of buyers asking to use bathrooms only to steal prescriptions drugs out of the medicine cabinet. Or worse, where a person presented a Realtor card asking to preview a home, only later to find out that Realtor was never at that home and was not who was let in. Homeowners routinely don't remember to get a name, phone number or ask if they have been pre-qualified to buy. As a general rule, Buyers and other Realtors should always call the listing agent to set up any appointments. If they show up impromptu, without an appointment set up by your agent that is a red flag. Do not let them in. Prior to all appointments, the listing office will gather preliminary contact information and interview the buyer to determine qualifications, as well as, their ability to buy.
The second reason to not let a stranger into your home is accountability. This is also extremely important to your Realtor and you. We want to know who is in your house and when they were in your house. We want to be able to follow up again with that party by getting back into touch with them whenever needed again about your house. For example, they may not be able to buy now because they have to sell their house first. If you let them in and don't get a phone number that chance is lost as is the opportunity for the sale of your house. You should never have to feel that it would be rude to not let them in, just explain that you hired an agent to do that job. Most will understabd and be happy to schedule an appointment at a time convenient for them. I can tell you this from experience, if they are really interested in your house, they will be more than willing to wait and will understand why.
Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin
call Mary Strang therteam.com RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599
Good advice, a lot of sellers are anxious to be helpful and can get caught off guard, these tips might help.
Hi Maggie, this was inspired today by my seller who did not get the name or number but let them in.
I tell my clients the same info. That's what they pay us for....thankfully.
Hello Ellie, Yes and every so often they get so excited when a passing buyer wants in, they forget!
Mary: Safety is too often overlooked in the excitement of selling a home. Your advice here is great. I am never insulted by sellers who want me to put in my information in the electronic lockboxes (to prove I am an active Realtor) or if they call their listing agent.
Hi Chris Ann, Safety is very much on the minds of all Realtors now as it is no longer such a small world even in small markets like mine.