As a real estate agent it is nearly every day that I am working to book an appointment to show a home. To do so I go to the MLS and follow whatever is written in the showing instructions. This could mean calling, emailing, texting, or ShowingTime. It is really strange how different each agent handles getting appointments. Some never answer, some give delayed answers, some get in the way with tough time constraints, some turn down showings and instruct open house only, and very few make it nice and easy.
When taking on a new listing it is important to talk with your seller and find out what their expectations of a showing will look like. You as the expert can guide them on local business practices. While the decision of accompanied showings vs lockbox is primarily the clients choice the agent does have influence on the decision. The question you must ask yourself as their listing agent is how you would like the home to be shown.
Accompanied showings have both pros and cons. Some of the cons being limited availability based on your schedule, extra expense on fuel, time expenses, and not giving the buyer space to think. The pros list includes having an expert on site, being able to show all features, gaining real time feedback, keeping the home safe, and watching that the keys do not walk away.
Lockboxes also have pros and cons. Some of the pros are the home can be ready for a showing quickly, buyers can work on their schedule, you can be elsewhere and only there when needed, and other agents will appreciate you respecting their time. The cons would be people taking the key by accident, people not being supervised in the home, people leaving the door open, people leaving lights on, and some agents having lack of experience. Knowing these factors each agent and client must make the decision on what works best for their situation.
Personally I like lockboxes with the main reason being giving the buyer space to think. It is my belief that just like we want the buyer to talk about the good they must also talk about the bad. With the listing agent present they feel really reserved. In my opinion if you are going to accompany the showings, make a quick presentation and talk about all the unknowns or hard to figure out items then step aside and let their agent take them on a tour. At the end you can follow up to answer any questions the home buyer may have had.
As an industry it is up to us to get better. We must continue to improve how we work as real estate agents to ensure this job continues to exist. One place that the bar must be raised is the ability to book a showing in a timely manner at a time that works for a buyer. The seller's market we are in can not last forever.
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