Today, let’s discuss how sellers block buyer from seeing their homes. My wife became a Realtor and sold her first house in 1978. Since I joined her in the business in 2004, we’ve sold over 400 homes. However, we never cease to be amazed by the roadblocks that sellers put in place that block potential buyers from seeing their homes.

If a buyer can’t see your home they won’t buy it!

Sounds pretty simple, huh? In fact, if you were looking to buy a home, I’m sure you would agree. Yet, I continually see roadblocks put in place by the seller that stop buyers from seeing the home. After all, if you want to sell your home, make it easy for the Realtors and buyers to see it.

The most restrictive way to make your home available is to set a schedule of when they can see it, For example, Realtors can show the home Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 5:00 and 8:00. It’s also allowed on Saturday from 12:00 to 4:00. But, what if a buyer isn’t available at those times? Or what if their Realtor isn’t available? That buyer may never see your home, which means they’ll buy a different home.

What happens if the buyers are getting transferred from out of the area? And the days the home is available doesn’t fit their schedule?

Some seller s want the key to be available to Realtors at the listing agent’s office. This means that a Realtor can pick up the key and return it when they’re finished. However, if I’m showing someone five or six homes in a day, I have neither the time, nor the inclination, to drive around and pick up keys and return them. This is another way to block buyers from seeing your home.

Solutions

The best way a seller can provide access to your home is with a lock box. The lock box holds the key in a secure box that only Realtors have access to. Additionally,  there’s an electronic paper trail that tracks who was in the house and when. As a result, security is not an issue.

Another alternative is for the seller to be available almost any time, with limited advance notice. This way, the homeowner can open the house for the buyers and their Realtor. However, if you do this, please go for a walk while they are at the home. This is because buyers don’t want the owner lurking in the background while they look. And please, don’t try to help the Realtor by pointing out things about the home. You’re not helping by doing this. Please let the Realtors do their job.

Bottom Line

As the seller, don’t make it difficult for buyers to see your home. Don’t block buyers from seeing homes. If it’s too much trouble, they’ll just buy someone else’s home. Contact us, Bunny and Art Reiman, and let us explain a better way

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