Busted! Why the “Preview-Booked-as-a-Showing” is Going Away

Dear “Just Previewing” Realtor:  “Smile! You’re On Candid Camera!!”**

[Editor’s Note:  The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.]

Here’s a news flash for skeptical home Sellers (or, maybe not):  not every showing — a one hour appointment during which a Realtor takes their client through a home — is necessarily done with a client in tow.

Sometimes, it’s just the Realtor.

Correctly called a “Preview,” it’s when a Realtor views a home on their own, then reports back to their client.

Assuming they have one.

Pre-Screening

At least in my experience, the most common reason agents preview is to save their busy (or out-of-town) clients time checking out a property that doesn’t meet their (exacting) criteria.

But, at least occasionally, agents preview to help a prospective listing client set their asking price, or even just do market research.

So, why not just set the showing up as a “Preview” on MLS?

Because — especially at higher price points — Sellers can frown on the practice, and reject such requests.

Seller Mindset

I’d argue that that’s a mistake.

I know of several sales that have directly resulted from a listing agent doubling back to a home they’d previewed, that turned out to be a better fit for the Buyer than their own listing (I’ve had it happen myself).

As long as owners of more expensive (and bigger) homes know they can dispense with the usual prep* that goes into getting a home showing-ready (they can), I don’t really see the downside of allowing Previews.

Still, I’m sure there will be some holdouts — along with at least a few Realtors determined to see the home, anyways, under the guise of doing a showing.

Outed by Technology

A decade ago, clients likely wouldn’t have known any better.

However, in an age of ubiquitous (and stealthy) video monitoring, home security, etc., the odds that a “just-previewing” Realtor will be found out are rising steeply . . . and likely to put a stop to the practice.

P.S.:  Of course, for celebrity-owned or other truly high profile homes, listing agents would typically accompany any showings.

That’s both to qualify Buyers, and to help familiarize them with the home’s many features.

*Unlike with showings, the convention for Previews is for the client to stay put.

**Minnesota law forbades homeowners from audio taping a conversation they’re not a party to.  But, they’re allowed to take video of any rooms they want, excepting areas (like Bathrooms) where clothing is removed.

See also, “Proper (& Improper) Purposes of Realtor Previews”; “Realtor True Confessions:  Top Four Things Your Agent Doesn’t Know . . . and Isn’t Likely to Volunteer”; and “Nod to Reality: Minnesota Home Buyers Can Now Take Their Own Pictures, Video of “For Sale” Homes.”

from RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230700 http://ift.tt/2wmVtRp
via IFTTT