Showing feedback – pretty simple really

Posted in Agent Etiquette | Saturday, August 4th, 2007 | 3 Comments » Trackback

So you show your buyer my listing… next day the listing agent calls asking for some feedback. What do you say?

It’s pretty darn simple. What did you and the buyer think of the house? Was it clean? Were there any repairs that your buyer felt should be made? Did it show well? Did it stink of cigarette smoke? Anything else bother your buyer?

I try to reach everyone who shows one of my listings, and aside from the agents who do provide useful feedback I occasionally get the following responses, which are quite unhelpful:

  • We saw 30 properties, I can’t remember them all
  • My buyer hasn’t made a decision yet
  • It was OK. (then I ask if there were any issues or anything that stood out and you say “no it was fine”)

Really, we’re not chasing down your buyer… “feedback” means some information that might help us adjust the marketing plan or correct any property issues.

Here’s an example of the most useful feedback I have received on listings: “price is right but it will take some time.” “needs paint and carpet to be move in ready” “did not like the size of the yard – buyer has a dog/child” “other homes we looked at were priced better, in the following neighborhoods:” “owner followed us around, very disconcerting to my buyer” “we’re looking for a home with at least one ground floor bedroom”

Relax when you get a call after a showing, we’re just looking for “showing feedback” – how did the showing go? Naturally, if your customer wants to buy the house you’ll write an offer, but what is more important right now is why your buyer is NOT writing an offer to purchase, what most interests your customer, and what may have disappointed your buyer when you walked through the property. This information can help us adjust our plan, justify a price change, or make a case for some repairs or painting. The more you can help the listing agent, the more we are going to be willing to help direct you to a property compatible with your buyer or adjust our marketing to make the home more attractive to your buyer. “Liked it” and “didn’t like it” are much too general, and unhelpful… specific feedback is highly welcomed, and appreciated!

3 Comments

  1. Paul Says:

    You want feedback? Sincere, unequivocable feedback?

    “signed offer to purchase” is good

    “never heard from me again” is bad

    I am not here to help you stage, clean, point out defects, critique paint, discover leaks, gush about appliances, whine about clutter, wish it was bigger, suggest a different floor plan, sigh and wish it was on a cul-de-sac/in a better school district/didn’t have graffiti

    If my people like it, they will buy it, or at least make an offer.
    If they don’t like it, we are off to the next house.

  2. rogertheriault Says:

    Paul, sometimes sellers need to hear it from you, not me…

  3. Toby Boyce Says:

    This is a tough thing to “get right” for the showing agent.

    I used to give very detailed feedback that I thought was helpful to the selling agent. But, I found that the selling agents predominately fell into two categories.

    1. Head in Sand. These are the ones that don’t want to know what’s wrong. If I tell you the truth, you come back justifyling the situation. I say it’s messy, they reply “they have kids.”

    2. Counter Sellers. I give feedback and suddenly they are continually trying to “proove” to me that this is the best house for my clients.

    Now I give just enough to share my thoughts.

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