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Professional Courtesy

There are few business models in the world where competitors are as cooperative as REALTORS®. In real estate though, we are quick to protect the professional image REALTORS® have or at least I hope have. 

However there are, as in businesses everywhere, clueless people that leave me scratching my head when it comes to how they conduct their business especially when it impacts my business and my clients. I'm talking about how scheduling appointments gets done and how the agent responds or doesn't respond when the buyer changes their mind after an appointment has been set.

When I schedule appointments for buyers I try to make sure they have already seen the property by doing a drive-by,have seen the MLS detail and all the photos and virtual tour posted. That should prevent any surprises and last minute decision to not go in the house. But it does happen, and it's happened to me too despite having the buyer as prepared as possible for what they are looking for and what they will find when they get there.

Are they looking for a ranch and do they know it's a two story. Are they looking for an easy property to maintain, but see the five acres differently. Do they want to walk to the grocery store but it's 7 miles from town?

The problem is at that point a buyer pulls up to see a home after scheduling an appointment they change their mind. Since most home buyers are also home sellers-how would you react if that happens to you the next time your house has a scheduled showing? It happens and I understand-been there done that. But I've picked up the phone-called the other agent so they can alert their seller that it's OK to go back to the house. It's easy and always has been appreciated. It's also important when my schedule goes astray. Suppose I'm running an hour early. Do I just show up at the house or do I call first to see if it's OK? Suppose I'm an hour late for a 5PM appt. DO I just show up hoping for a seat at the dinner table? NO, I extend a little professional courtesy and call my fellow REALTOR® so the seller is prepared.

The actions of one bad agent can ruin an entire company reputation or enhance it by that one simple act of professionalism.

Jim Mellen,REALTOR® PROFESSIONAL, RE/MAX Peninsula at New Town in Williamsburg,each office independently owned and operated