Showing Feedback

I wanted to ask you about showing feedback. One of my friends has their townhouse for sale and their agent told them that feedback was not important. They’re in another state, or of course I would have had them list with you! You’re the expert, is feedback important or not? 

This is something that I’ve been discussing with our clients. The answer is both, it is and it isn’t important. Let me explain what I mean. The obvious feedback is that if that particular buyer didn’t make an offer on your house, then you didn’t win the price war and beauty contest in their mind. They found something else that they felt was a better value, and they bought a different home. It could have been many reasons, your floor plan, your neighbourhood, your price compared to the competition. The reasons are as varied as the buyers. At the end of the day, if you aren’t the best priced for the best home, you won’t win that price war and beauty contest.

It sounds like you’re saying no offer is the actual feedback and it doesn’t really matter what they thought of the house if they didn’t buy it.

That may sound harsh, but it’s reality. It’s a challenging situation as Realtors often don’t respond to feedback requests, and yet sellers want to know what they thought. As part of our customer service, we attempt to obtain feedback from every showing. We email the other agent three times and often try to chase them down by phone. In real estate, as in other businesses, 5-10% of the agents are doing 95% of the sales. I’m going to try to get that feedback from the other top agents because they are busy in the field every day and know what the competition is, and my clients appreciate it. If the agent doesn’t respond to three emails, it’s a safe bet their client has no interest.

So I’m officially telling my friends and everyone else that no offer is feedback! Ha ha :)

And I’m officially telling you and everyone else that getting feedback never sold a house! Ha ha :) 

Technology in Real Estate

What are some helpful facets of technology you can share with us today?

I am constantly working, and don't have time to waste on things that don't function efficiently for my clients or my team. When I think of using futuristic gadgetry, I envision things that are simple and uncomplicated, yet flexible and powerful enough to perform the way they promote themselves and to fit in with my high-performance lifestyle. There are many, many apps and websites out there to choose from, and I wanted to share the ones that my team and I utilize. Today, I want to discuss the websites.

What are great websites for buyers?

The Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is accessibly only Realtors, but there are other websites that pull directly from the MLS using what is called an IDX feed, such as Realtor.com and Homes.com. When people think of online websites, typically the first ones pop up are Trulia and Zillow, being two of the most popular sites out there. If I didn't say what great exposure they can be for sellers and prospective for buyers, I would be lying. However, these are often terribly inaccurate; know that you can always call our team for up-to-the-minute accurate information on homes. As a buyer, we can set up an up-to-the-minute, personalized portal of homes available straight to your inbox for FREE.

Listing Activity Report

What do you have for sellers?

For our clients, we utilize an electronic signature system which you have heard of, Docusign, so that no matter where you are, we can have you sign an offer (or Counter Offer) within minutes. There is also my Listing Manager's favourite: ShowingSuite.com, that is linked to the lockbox in place on your home. Every time that lockbox is opened, it sends an email informing you, as well as our team, about the showing, and when the showing agent's feedback is submitted, it's sent unedited to our seller's email. My personal favourite is one that only those under the Prudential umbrella can use, what we call the Listing Activity Report. Every week, we send a personalized comparative market analysis, showing how many people have searched for your home, how many homes in your area just came on the market, amongst other helpful information. This is a sample of the technology that we offer our clients, and I will report on other application in the future.

Listing Activity Report

Technology in Real Estate

What are some helpful facets of technology you can share with us today?

I focus on results, and don't have time to waste on things that don't function for my clients or my team. When I think of using futuristic gadgetry, I envision things that are simple and uncomplicated, yet flexible and powerful enough to perform the way they promote themselves and to fit in with our clients and my high-performance lifestyle. There are many software applications and websites to select from, and I wanted to share a few of the cutting edge resources that my team and I utilize.

What are some great websites for buyers?

The Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is accessibly only by Realtors®, but there are other websites that pull directly from the MLS using what is called an IDX feed, such as Realtor.com and Homes.com, as well as this website CherylMarlow.com. When people think of online websites, typically the first ones that pop up are Trulia and Zillow, being two of the most popular sites out there. If I didn't say what great exposure they can be for sellers and prospective for buyers, I would be lying. However, these are often inaccurate. As a buyer, we will create a personalized, advanced search delivered directly to your inbox for FREE.

What do you have for sellers?

For our clients, we utilize an electronic signature system which you may have heard of, Docusign, so that even if you're on the beach, we can have you sign an offer (or Counter Offer) within minutes! There is also my Listing Manager's, Keira's, favourite: ShowingSuite.com, that is linked to the lockbox in place on your home. Every time that lockbox is opened, it sends an email informing you as well as our team about the showing, and we request feedback regarding the buyer's interest in your home. My personal favourite is one that only those under the Prudential umbrella can use, what we call the Listing Activity Report. Every week, we send a personalized comparative market analysis, showing how many people have viewed your home online, and information about other homes in your area. This is a sample of the technology we offer our clients, contact me for additional trade secrets!