Cards are traditionally left after showing homes in my market.  I'm on the fence as to gathering them up as Chris and Dick Dovorany have mentioned or, do I leave them to create a buying frenzy or auction mentality . . .  

"I must buy this before someone else submits an offer!"

Everyone leaves them in our town, some of the old homes I have looked at had so many cards on the kitchen counter that they looked like a testimony of disinterest among the buying pool of our town.

I bought a few of these homes, cheap.

I do ask agents to leave a card if they show my listing.  But I noticed that less and less agents are leaving their cards these days.

When an agent is showing a listing of mine, I like it when they leave a business card. That shows my seller that the agent was there. The seller usually does whatever they want with the business card. I have a showing log at my office that tracks when and who showed the property. 

I don't requireit, the lock box lets me know exactly who showed the home anyway nicely on my computer without having to go to the house. I think it is an outdated custom.

No, pointless, since Sentrilock system verifies when people enter and leave home. 

It's standard practice in our area to leave a business card. It makes it easier to follow up, ask for feedback, etc., but we don't require it. When agents leave cards, we take them right away - why would I let someone else advertise in my listing?

The agents that show our properties receive a phone call within a day or two requesting feedback.

I do not require agents to leave their cards as the lockboxes record who shows my listings.  I can follow up with these agents from a report I receive.

I do not.  Our local MLS require them to sign in plus I can see all who have used the electronic key safe thru Supra for me to follow up for feedback.

Collect them immediately so it doesn't look like everyone in the world has been there and no one likes it.

Richard, requiring other REALTORS® to do anything is like telling a kitty cat to stop watching the bird in the cage.  They do what they want to do.

I do express the hope and appreciation that they will.  My main motive has been with regard toward the sellers: a physical sign that someone has shown interest in their home.  It further affords a verification of contact information; and there may be an occasional boost to other prospects' move toward urgency, but that falls behind the appeal of the property, the personal attraction felt by buyers, the ability to draw buyer and seller into a mutual agreement on terms, and sellers' urgency to sell.

An aside: if marketing is drawing traffic, the collection of cards may lend seller added motivation to consider why the property is not selling, prompting the sellers to give more thought toward recommendations made by the listing agent, for example reducing the asking price or becoming more flexible in negotiations.  And there are others.

In a hot market a pile of cards looks great and can create auction frenzy but that impression wears off after just a few days and then the reverse is true.  Then they make it looks like something no one wants.  Not withstanding lockbox tracking systems, the business card is a courtesy to the home owner to show that the agent kept their appointment.

I ask them to please leave s card.
It's a catch 22. Sometimes I leave them, sometimes I take them to show the homeowner. In my opinion you can look at this 2 ways.
If you leave a few, it shows the others that the house had been getting activity, putting a potential buyer in the fear of loss. On the other hand, leaving too many might lead someone to believe that if there are so many cards and the house is still available, then something might be wrong.

i think it is very important. they are physically leaving a PART of themselves there. a marker (no, not a tombstone :) )   and yes as others said, follow up. remember....you dont sell YOUR listings ...other agents do. sell them, and you will win!

good question      thanks. mike

I do not require it, and when they do leave them, I pick them up for the same reason Chris and Dick Dovorany mentioned in their answer.

I like it. I do collect them and I like to ask them what they thought. It's best to do this as soon as possible while the visit is still fresh.

Our local board requires leaving a card.

There's typically a small bowl where the cards are placed.  

Richard - It is still common practice here in my area, but I do not ask for them. We use Supra Lockbox here, and that tells me exactly who shows my listings, the date and time, and their contact info.

Paper is a terrible thing to waste. We have enough unused trash in the world, and with the advent of electronic showing assist, why bother?

Yes....I collect them to compare who was there.

Many agents leave them without being asked. When sellers get home from work, they like to see that their home is being shown. If I'm previewing, i write on back " preview" with date and time I was in house.

Great question. I've always wondered why listing agents left the cards lying around, usually on the kitchen counter. Is to impress a sense of urgency to the buyers going through that others are interested? Is it for the sellers benefit to show how often it was shown? That can for and against you. Why is the house not sold if so many have looked at it? Sorry, more questions here than answers.

I do not require it and if they leave one I collect them. I let all agents know when there is a price change or seller concession offered.

We leave them on site, but do note who was courteous enough to follow our wishes.

Absoltely NOT!

I do not provide nor request a sign in.

The SUPRA system tracks EVERYTHING I need to know.

I already know everone who has expressed interest in any listing I take. 

A business card or list left behind only present PROBLEMS.

Should I find business cards left behind, I wait for an opportunity to return the favor at the earliest opportunity, but immediately toss their card in the trash.

We don't - Supra lockbox activity provides their contact information

Just because you ask doesn't mean you'll get them.

Professional courtesy would suggest every agent leave them, regardless of being asked, ESPECIALLY if the home isn't vacant (so the seller knows someone was in their home).

I don't let them pile up, those shows lack of care/attention.

And yes, I've seen listing agents dump a stack of cards to make it appear that there's been tremendous interest. That seems like grade school thinking, but that's how some operate.

My business of Feng Shui has the tradition of the red envelope.