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Should Buyers Follow You or Ride With You ?

I just read a blog about the pros and cons of having the buyers ride with you or follow you. Here is why I try and have them ride with me. A few years back I had some buyers follow me to a listed home that I was going to show them. These buyers were referred to me and this was the first home I was showing them. I showed them the house, we stood on the sidewalk after and chatted for a few minutes about the home which they liked they said they would talk it over and get back to me the next day. I drove off. The next day I called them to see about writing an offer. "You'll never believe what happened" they said after you left the guy next door came out and said he was going to be selling and would they like to see the place. To shorten the story, they looked at it at shook hands on a deal to buy it. Had those buyers been riding with me that never would have happened. That was 10 years or so ago, those buyers are still living there, I guess they must like the place. www.MontroseHomeConnection.com

Posted by Alan Brown on 03/19/2008 11:33 AM

Comments (9)

montrose, real, estate, homes, for, sale, colorado, western, slope

9 Comments on Should Buyers Follow You or Ride With You ?

Wow! What a story! I don't always have riders ride with me, but when they do, I have more of an opportunity to get to know them better. It really is beneficial.

03/19/2008 11:45 AM

by Debi Ernst e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate (St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors)

I generally have the buyers follow me--I drive a small sedan; plus as a female, I'm not keen on having men I don't know in the car with me. Occasionally, if I'm working with a single woman, then I'll likely have her in the car with me. I guess you could say that I take this on a case-by-case basis.

03/19/2008 12:02 PM

by DALIA KIBBY (KEYES COMPANY)

Great story (ok . . .not great for you but a great story...)

I do mostly commercial so I don't contend with that very often however, in a market where buyer's are so independent I can see where that may happen pretty often. I know many younger buyers are always on their way somewhere and prefer to meet at the home and then go on with their day.

You make a good point. I guess that's where the importance of a Buyers Agent Agreement really can come into play.

Good post.

03/19/2008 12:02 PM

by Brian Luce (Weidel Realtors Doylestown)

Hi Alan, When my husband and I were transferring to Oregon we were doing some house hunting with an agent. He showed us some homes and as we were passing by one that was not on his list I pointed out a house that was for sale that appealed to me. We went through it and bought it. If we had been in separate cars--it may not have turned out that way.

Also a great way to built relationships and educate your clients (if they need it). Anyway, visiting with clients is my favorite part of the job!

03/19/2008 12:07 PM

by Leslie Bloss, Seattle Real Estate Professional (REALTY EXECUTIVES/BRIO )

Alan, I think it has happened to most of us at one time or another. You work with someone and on their way home they buy a FSBO. Riding together does have its advantages. I would never meet anyone at the property. I would meet them at the office first then go to the property. Better safe than sorry.

Good Post!

03/19/2008 03:37 PM

by Michael Setunsky (Michael's Commercial LLC)

Dang Alan, they probably do love the place.... see ya on the first tee

03/21/2008 01:09 PM

by Joe Adams (Major Mortgage USA/Branch Manager)

Alan:

I love to drive my clients around because I like to have that time to go over questions they have, review properties etc. However, I will not do carseats in my car as I am not a parent and have no clue how to work them in my vehicle. So if those parents with car seats don't offer to take me for a ride, we usually take two cars. I don't need that liability. But again, that's the only reason for using separate cars in my business.

03/21/2008 03:17 PM

by Chris Ann Cleland, GRI (Long & Foster)

I really like buyers to be in the same car with me; and it's amazing how much I can learn about them as we ride around looking at properties. It's great bonding time.

03/23/2008 06:12 AM

by Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog - Kathy Torline - Nordstrom (Prudential Professional REALTORS)

Alan, I typically have the clients ride with me. From time to time, depending on logistics, they sometimes follow along in their own car. The other day I had a first. They wanted to take their car but wanted me to drive. I declined and instead rode as a passenger. I don't want to be responsible for driving their vehicle.

03/23/2008 07:36 AM

by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate (RE/MAX Allegiance)

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