SPYING ON THE HOMEBUYERS Ken Brand, a real estate agent in The Woodlands, has an idea: “Imagine the quality of feedback the listing agent and their seller would receive if showing appointments were monitored by video equipment? You could see and hear how prospective buyers react – live, unbiased and unspun. No more begging the listing agent for fuzzy feedback, no more spin, no conflicts of interest, no BS, simple straight facts. . . . I’m not suggesting that we should all run out and rig-up, secret or unsecret surveillance systems in our listings. I am saying that there are sellers today who are recording showings without our knowledge. I am asking us all to consider how we would show properties if we knew we were on Candid Camera. I am suggesting that recording property showings has pros and cons. I am suggesting that presented correctly, an agent or brokerage might create a point of difference and attract an unserved niche of sellers. I am suggesting that offering showing surveillance services is first mover advantage and something that most competitors would not choose to match or compete with.” [Agent Genius]
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Not to mention it would be illegal in Texas unless the buyers were notified that they were being recorded (I’m not a lawyer, so this is my opinion only).
I used the baby monitor to listen to the showings of my house. Just hung out at the neighbors. Not because I thought our realtor needed monitoring but because I was just so, so curious about what folks would say about my house. No real surprises. But I was amazed how many people brought small children to the showing–they spent a lot of time telling their kids to leave our coasters alone.
I’m glad I know about this as I will soon be looking at houses. I’ll keep my sarcastic mouth shut.
But I was amazed how many people brought small children to the showing
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That doesn’t seem too odd to me. Who’s supposed to watch the kids?
If I thought that the seller was listening in, I’d be inclined to make all sorts of bogus comments just to screw with them. Particularly in this economy.
People should leave their children at home. Buying a home is serious business. Who needs some anoying child distracting them?
Creepy. Buzzword points for using “first mover advantage” is a really silly way, though.
Diggity – who is suppose to watch the kids? Are you familiar with the term “babysitter”? Showing a house is challenging enough without the distraction of little darlings opening drawers, pulling at their parents and messing with coasters.
I just don’t think it’s necessary to hire a babysitter every time you go look at some listings.
Guess that’s just me.
How many houses being shown are “child proof”?
As someone who currently has a house for lease, I would like to know what people think, and what they want changed. I am happy with my realtor, but other feedback can be helpful.