![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.amybergquist.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/ParisStreetScene1.jpg\" "\\"Paris")
Last week I received an email from a person inquiring about one of our listings. They wondered if it was still for sale. We get these sorts of messages every now and then. They’re exciting – a new lead and opportunity for our seller. I responded that it was and said that I’d be happy to answer any questions for them or take them for a visit, if they’d like. <\/p>\n
A few days later they wrote again. Also exciting – since a lot of times our answers disappear into a black hole. People write once but we never hear from them again. These potential buyers said they wanted to see the home, but that their agent was on vacation for the week. Would I still be willing to show it to them?<\/p>\n
Hmmm, mixed emotions here.<\/p>\n
First, and most importantly, somebody wants to see the home. We like showings.<\/p>\n
Second, hats off to the agent taking a vacation. It’s very hard to get away from this business. Making personal time is important and it takes an effort to make it happen.<\/p>\n
Third, showing a home to someone else’s client can be tricky. If needed, I’m willing to show other people’s client my listing. Not all agents are willing to. Some see it as wasting their valuable time doing something they won’t get paid for, “Can’t that other agent do their job?” I’m generally willing to give the other agent the benefit of the doubt, and am more worried about the agent thinking that I am interfering in their relationship with their client.<\/p>\n
But as the listing agent, we have a duty to our seller to try and get their property sold. That happens by having showings. And I’m not going to deny a showing because I’m in a snit about someone taking a vacation or otherwise unavailable.<\/p>\n
Okay, back to reality…<\/p>\n
The buyer was very understanding and accommodating with the appointments that I already had set with my buyer clients for the day. We agreed to meet me later in the day and I encouraged them to take their time and answered the questions they had. They were enthusiastic about the home and I encouraged them to come back with their agent for another look when they returned from their vacation.<\/p>\n
It was an exciting outcome, and some mystery remains. Will this potential buyer actually return once their agent returns from vacation? Will they put an offer in on our listing? I have no idea … what will the next email contain?<\/p>\n
I do know that I gained an additional opportunity for my seller client and gained some good will with an agent and their client. I’m happy to spend time doing that any day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Last week I received an email from a person inquiring about one of our listings. They wondered if it was still for sale. We get these sorts of messages every now and then. They’re exciting – a new lead and opportunity for our seller. I responded that it was and said that I’d be happy to answer any questions for them or take them for a visit, if they’d like. A few days later they<\/p>\n