Why some homes don’t get shown
Ask Phyllis: a blog series of frequently asked real estate questions. Email us here
Dear Phyllis,
We have had our home on the market for two months. During the first couple of weeks, we had about 15 people come by to look, but since then, we only get a couple of different ones a week. I keep reading that there is a shortage of homes for sale, so why is our home the exception to the rule?
Jamie
Dear Jamie,
Some homes don’t get shown simply because the first showing is online. Google your address and click on the links. My initial thought is that the photographs used are either non-existent or very poor, which would explain a homebuyer’s lack of enthusiasm.
When entering a listing in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) I and most Realtors® enter remarks which are auto-populated to dozens of real estate websites. These remarks are essentially ad copy that should entice a buyer into wanting to personally view your home.
Is your home easy to show? Certainly, there can be reasons not to use a lockbox, but each additional layer involved in making appointments decreases showings. If you do not have a lockbox then you and your Realtor® need to develop a system. A typical plan would be to have your home in show condition each day by 10 AM and that your agent can call you with two-hour notice for a showing appointment. As the home seller, you need to make your home available for showings, and once your agent calls and leaves a message, it is your job to have the home in show condition Picture this scenario:
- • Realtor® Kris receives a call from clients that they want to see a home seller’s home.
- • She phones listing agent Phyllis to show the home today at 4 PM
- • Phyllis calls the home seller. The seller does not answer the phone.
- • Kris and the buyers are waiting. The listing agent, Phyllis, is waiting.
- • You call Phyllis back, but she is with other clients and can’t pick up your call.
- • Phyllis responds to the home seller’s message within a half hour and returns Realtor® Kris’ call (let’s assume Kris is waiting by the phone and picks up this call).
- • Realtor® Kris now calls her clients (a couple with two schedules) to confirm the appointment.
When a home is difficult to show, it is often not shown. Other common reasons buyers are not looking is that the price is too high or the location is undesirable (hence the price is too high). You need to have an honest discussion with your real estate agent, who should be able to tell you the answer. If your Realtor® cannot provide you with answers, speak with their manager.
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