Fairfax Home Sellers – Appointment Only Listings Do Not Sell!
As a veteran in real estate one thing that I can attest to over my years in business is that “Appointment only listings” tend to be very counter productive to the seller. They do not sell quickly, nor do they sell for the best possible price. It is my experience as a very productive agent that homes that are listed as “Appointment only” tend to stay on the market much longer than regular listings, and sell for far less. The reason is simple. You restrict the numbers of buyers and agents that have access to your home or property – this can be done several ways. The most obvious is by protocol. One agent has to make appointments through your listing agent (who may not be available) and that schedule may not coincide with other showings already scheduled on their buyer’s itinerary. If the only time to show your home or property is in the afternoon, and they are already showing 3 listings in your area in the morning…the buyer may not want to come back clear across town later in the day just to see your home. They will cancel the showing appointment. You will have no one to blame for this occurrence other than yourself and your listing agent.
Appointment Only Homeowners Can Expect…
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Buyers and Agents Feel Uncomfortable when Owner / Other Agent is Present
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Cancelled showings or appointments
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Extended Time on Market
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Fewer showings
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Listing Agents Do Not Answer Calls Promptly
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No Shows
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Price Reductions
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Reluctance To Make Offers From Buyers Because They Have the Perception Negotiations To Purchase Will Be Difficult
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Restrictions on Showing Hours Benefits Sellers Only
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Tenant Does not Allow Showings (If Leased)
The only exceptions to this as far as I am concerned are that you are selling the White House, you have a very valuable property, or there is an illness in the family. Everything else can have accommodations…pets, children napping, working from home, or owner must be present. How can I say this? For years I specialized in selling expired listings, and many were previously listed for extended periods of times as “Appointment Only!”
