In the last two months, I have shown almost 100 Louisville homes. For the most part, I enjoy the experience. I definitely like working with buyers and helping them figure out and then find exactly what they are looking for. Additionally, I like touring homes and I love seeing the excitement on buyer's faces when they find ‘the one.' In fact, the only thing that I really don't like about the process is completing automated feedback forms.
First, let me state that I am a huge fan of technology and an even bigger fan of automated systems that add value and save time. From my computer, I can and do order pizza, watch TV shows, have pictures of my kids developed and sent to their grandparents (or the nearest Wal-Mart), purchase supplies, pay bills, and a host of other things. I consider these things beneficial because time is the resource I value most.
Second, I am more than willing to speak with any agent who calls me seeking feedback. I will answer as many questions as they have so long as the questions do not interfere with or lessen my client's position. Often, the conversation can be valuable as it is a good way to resolve issues both real and perceived. On a recent showing the buyers liked the house, but it backed up to a road and the 4' privacy fence was not sufficient to block the sight of traffic. I mentioned this to the Listing Agent and she had the owners petition the HOA and get approval for an 8' fence along the back. While we ultimately found something else, this action moved the property into the number 2 spot on the list. I considered the conversation beneficial.
On the other hand, if a listing agent is not willing to take the time to call, I am no longer willing to fill out ridiculous forms that appear in my email. Further, I am certainly not going to print out a form, fill it out and fax it back to his/her office. This has no benefit to me or my client and, frankly, I don't see how..
Is this house priced
- a) Too high
- b) Correctly
- c) Too low
is very helpful to the listing agent or his/her client either. If you don't know why I think the price is off or by how much, what are you going to do to remedy the problem? Pointing to a form a saying, "this agent says your home is priced too high, we should therefore reduce it by $10,000" is neither logical nor helpful.
In summary, do yourself and your clients a favor and STOP USING AUTOMATED FEEDBACK FORMS. Just because a technology exists doesn't mean that it is good.
If you are considering selling your Louisville home, I assure you that I will work hard to make sure your home is well prepared, priced, and promoted when it goes on the market. However, I am not perfect. Therefore, I do follow-up with buyer's agents to 1) make sure they do not have lingering questions and 2) that the price and condition of the home are appropriate. Call me (502) 921-3989 and we'll discuss the other services that I offer as your Louisville Real Estate Agent.
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Erik Hitzelberger is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Alliancein Louisville. If you need a Louisville Real Estate agent please email me or call 502.921.3989.
I specialize in the following areas of the Metro Louisville Area: Jeffersontown (J-Town), Okolona, Fern Creek, Shepherdsville, Mt Washington, Hillview, Brooks and Pewee Valley. Click the following links to learn more about Louisville and Bullitt County Real Estateor to Search for Louisville Homes.
I disagree for the most part. Some of the feedback is junk on the automatic forms. But I had great feedback today on a listing on an automatic form and I do not want agents calling me for feedback because I show about 40 or so homes a week on average and I dont want 40 calls.
hi Erik: I agree with you - there is no substitution for human contact!
:)
Hi Erik, Good post. Thanks for sharing.
Best - Sash
I love the question that says is the home priced right, low, or too high. Well assume my client wants to purchase the property... do you really think I'm going to say its priced too low. Good post.
I am ok with a call, I always send back feedback the same day. I don't like a call when I have already sent in feedback and they have not even looked to see and then call me assuming I have not.
Shelton
Judy - Perhaps it's do to my youthful inexperience :), but I have yet to have a buyer walk away from a home because it was priced too low.
Shelton - I certainly understand your position. If you put forth the effort to email feedback on each home, it would be frustrating to receive a call asking for the same info again.
I am more of a fan of calling and being called for feedback myself. It puts a personal touch on the process.
I type fairly slow, so using the phone is my preferred method.
JL - Obviously, I agree. In addition to the personal interaction, you have the opportunity to ask followw-up questions and get more detailed responses.
William - With 200K points, you have to have had a lot of practice typing:) Regardless, the phone is an easier and more beneficial solution regardless of one's hunt and peck skills.
If someone calls me for feedback I always call back. I am not sure how agents got to the point where they think not returning a call is ok.
LOL Through this post, I actually FEEL your pain. I think most agents do this for their clients and are not really paying attention to the details anyway. I'd agree that there are more sufficient ways to achieve these results.
I might be unusual in that I always call to provide feedback after I shown a property. It would be nice if other Realtors would do the same, but sadly they don't.