topic Re: I don't understand why people do this in Home

I don't understand why people do this

151949 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 14:37:23 GMT

Our house is for sale. We get a lot of viewings, and our agent is good about asking for feedback. About 3/4 of the time the feedback has been that the people looking are just gathering information and aren't really interested in buying for a couple years.SO - you are wasting the realtors time - you are making the homeowners have to super clean and leave their home (which is inconvenient to say the least) but you actually have NO INTENTION to buy a home for a couple years!

Now I can understand looking at model homes etc to see where the market is and to check out different areas. But to engage a realtor and inconvenience them & the homeowners just so you can entertain yourself going thru people's homes is just simply rude.

When we addressed this with our realtor he just said they lie when they come in the office, claiming they are looking to buy.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

dex — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 14:40:31 GMT

I think some do it for entertainment and decorating ideas.I know it is a pain but there are always people who are just out to look and see what others live like.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

SewHappy2 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 14:46:22 GMT

Oh, I sure do sympathize with you! It is SUCH a pain to have to leave the house and then you really don't know for how long. I am sorry, but there is no excuse for looking at a home that is currently lived in if you are not interested. So inconsiderate. Once I left, came back at the agreed upon time and realized no one had been there. A couple of hours later, I get another call saying, they were delayed and could they come now? ACK! So, I sat on the front porch and let them in.

Good luck, I hope your home sells soon and for a great price!

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Tigriss — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 14:53:22 GMT

You have to remember that Florida markets are very flooded with properties and the markets are hot with competition, so you are going to have to wait for the person looking for what you are offering. Patience is a virtue for a reason.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Group 5 minus 1 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 14:57:21 GMT

Sometimes people lie!

Re: I don't understand why people do this

ccassaday — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:10:13 GMT

I know this sounds like a broken record. But if the people have a pre approval letter from the bank it shows they are serious about buying. I am sorry thry are doing this but it would cut down on this if the realtor wanted serious buyers only. The realtors probably don’t mind it because it gives them future business. But it sure in a inconvenience to the home owner. Personally I would tell my realtor no showings unless they have a pre approval or a letter from bank stating they have the cash to buy the house.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

bakergirl — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:16:10 GMT

I sold real estate in NJ back in the late eighties and very early nineties. Your realtor that you will eventually pay commission to, should make sure her "buyers" are fully qualified for a mortgage and are serious buyers. There are a lot of questions she can ask them. Also, she may be giving you excuses because the people preferred another home and she is using yours as comparison. Another thing you can do, is not leave, go out into the yard or take your car a few houses away and sit and see what happens. Having worked with many buyers and watched also how other agents work, and today with all the listings on line, your realtor should only bring serious buyers......good luck

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Eileen in Virginia — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:19:51 GMT

Although it’s been over 30 years, I can still remember what a pain it was to keep our condo clean and tidy for open houses, so I sympathize with you. People want to see what’s available, whether they’re really looking to buy or just thinking about it for future reference. They may also be scoping out the competition. You’d think the number of online real estate websites would cut down on those who aren’t really interested, but I guess some folks just don’t have enough to keep themselves busy. In an effort to keep the neighbors away from her open houses, one of our local realtors recently started holding “previews” for houses she’s going to list. She sends invitations out and asks for the neighbors’ feedback so she can factor it into the bona fide open houses. It’s a nice way of managing the neighbors.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

ccassaday — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:19:57 GMT

@bakergirlwrote:
I sold real estate in NJ back in the late eighties and very early nineties. Your realtor that you will eventually pay commission to, should make sure her "buyers" are fully qualified for a mortgage and are serious buyers. There are a lot of questions she can ask them. Also, she may be giving you excuses because the people preferred another home and she is using yours as comparison. Another thing you can do, is not leave, go out into the yard or take your car a few houses away and sit and see what happens. Having worked with many buyers and watched also how other agents work, and today with all the listings on line, your realtor should only bring serious buyers......good luck

This. With everything online now there is no need for future buyers who are looking a couple years down the line to inconvenience anyone.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

dex — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:43:12 GMT

@ccassaday you are right.I forgot about the online viewing...so easy to see ahead and be sure whether or not there is enough interest in the property.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

fthunt — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:44:20 GMT

I don't think people are out looking at houses with no intent to purchase now or very near future - - What they're telling you is.......I don't like your house but I want to be polite and not say what I'm thinking.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Abrowneyegirl — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 15:53:34 GMT

No pre-approved mortage letter no showing. Very simple, cuts down on aggrevation.

Irony is a relative who went looky lou home touring for YEARS! Found it annoying and rude when people came to her house with no intentions of buying when her house was on the market.

No one EVER stepped foot in my homes that not pre-approved and my homes sold quickly with less than 6 total showing. It allowed everyone to focus on quailfied buyers.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

CelticCrafter — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:15:02 GMT

I would make it clear to the realtor that you don't want anyone brought in unless they have a pre-approval letter for a mortgage from a bank or lending company.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

x Hedge — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:27:34 GMT

About a dozen years ago, during a casual chat with my new-ish next door neighbor, she started critically describing the interior of a home for sale down the block from us.

This included describing the layout of rooms, but also her opinion of their furnishings and the "kind of people" they must be, with speculation on their income, beliefs, personal values, etc.

I was puzzled since she clearly didn't know the family in question.

She told me she'd gone in and toured the home during a recent open house.

I asked WHY. Was she looking to buy another house on our street? She gave me a real stupid look. Boy, did she think I was slow with these dumb questions!

She explained she routinely went and "looked over" what people had, and how they lived, whenever a property went up for sale in the immediate area. And no, she had no intention to buy. She found it entertaining, and was simply being nosy.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Zhills — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:51:39 GMT

It isn't inconvenient for the lookers!

That is why the Realtor makes a good commission when it sells!

He does the extra work!

Re: I don't understand why people do this

151949 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 16:56:21 GMT

Many homes in Florida- esp. villas as these are frequently snowbird homes to only be used seasonally, are purchased cash. I'd say many more are cash than not.So preapproval letters from mortgage companies just aren't necessary.All the realtors have to go on are what the clients tell them.But mortgage vs no mortgage aside - the point I'm trying to make is - IMO - it is the height of rudemess and lack of consideration for people to do this.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Tigriss — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 17:16:55 GMT

Another possible point is scoping out places to burgle. Make sure your have nothing of great value out in the open. Keep your pieces simple so no fancy electronics, hide the computers/laptops/tablets, also hide the chargers for things so they don't find a charger and know there are electronics in the place, don't have any safe you have shown (especially if it is not bolted down or in the wall), and always double check all windows and doors to make sure they haven't unlocked one to come back later. Also do not go on about your hours of work or how much time you are out and about or standing appointments. I know it sounds paranoid, but a burglary would make it harder to sell.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Katcat1 — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 17:20:32 GMT

@151949 I would say your real estate agent is not screening the people supposedly looking for a home. It is a royal pain to have your house in perfect condition all the time and you have to leave out for a while. You have my sympathy because I have been there before a few times. I hope you sell it soon.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

Mominohio — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 18:05:52 GMT

It's just part of the game involved in selling a house you are still living in.

A good realtor will minimize this by knowing how to entertain only serious buyers, but you have to remember that they are in the business of gaining clients and making money. Even if they bring someone to your house that isn't looking immediately or isn't interested, it is drumming up future business for them, and they are going to do it.

I know people who have been 'house shopping' for thirty years and have never purchased. Realtors are more than happy to show them anything they want, and this particular person can't even qualify for a loan, yet gets in to see any house she calls about.

I also wonder if Realtors do it, as perhaps not doing so could be considered discrimination and they would face issues with that.

Re: I don't understand why people do this

BirkiLady — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 18:22:32 GMT

@151949 When are you moving? Once you are moved and the house is empty, your Realtor may have easier access to the property and feel more comfortable showing it any time. Serious buyers need to compare properties they are considering . . . and that means repeat visits often in the same day if they are in a hurry to finalize the purchase.

As far as cash sales, your Realtor could run a credit report on any of his clients to find out if they are financially solid. Has he done that with anyone claiming to be a cash offer? Our Realtor knew us and didn't have to do so, but he often asked for bank statements or would run a credit check on his clients.

When selling our homes, they generally sold to the first or second family. We never had a home on the market longer than a week. Only once was a home empty when we sold it and that was because I wasn't sure we should sell it after moving out. I was afraid we might want to move back. I was worried we would not be as happy in this current home (it is so large), but we found "home is where the heart is" and decided six months later to list our previous home. It sold four hours later.

Our son is now married with a family; I'm widowed and live alone with four bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms . . . I'm happy here with wonderful neighbors, six acres of commons area behind me, tennis courts, golf, swimming pool . . . it's still "home".

Could you ask your Realtor to hold an Open House each Sunday afternoon? Make plans with friends for the day so you don't become so annoyed with the prospective buyers. You do want the home sold! Let people have time to look. Most Realtor's don't provide feedback on each showing. Go about your life and things will fall into place if it is meant to be.

What happens if you do not sell your home by a certain date?