There is a forever ongoing debate in real estate, if listings should be on lockbox or personally shown by the listing agent.
I feel that 80% of the time it should be on lockbox, and 20% of the time, it should be shown by the agent.
I work with both buyers and sellers, and I think that is an important quality in a real estate agent. It keeps me informed and more qualified on both sides of the transaction, and can then offer better advice to either side because of it.
When I am with buyers, properties shown by listing agents tend to make the buyers more hurried and timid.
Whereas, when the property is on lockbox, the buyers will take their time going through the property with their agent. They will have time to discuss everything throughout the property with their significant other, as well as the agent. If there is interest, they stay longer and take their time going throughout the house.
However, when a listing agent is in the property with the buyer and their agent, the buyers tend to be quiet, respectful and “follow the tour,” given by the listing agent. They feel a bit reserved and don’t want to speak their thoughts in front of the other agent.
What a lot of agents do, when using a lockbox, they have a flyer handout, that lists everything about the property. And/or, they have little notes around the house pointing out all the features.
Sometimes properties do need to be shown by an agent.
*Property has animals.
*Property has a lot of valuables or high end items, where the owner doesn’t feel comfortable having people in the house without the agent.
*Property has a lot of special features (usually in higher end properties) that having the listing agent there to point it out, improves the showing.
In those instances, the agent could show the house, and then wait in the living room while they take their time going back through the house.
As you can guess from this post, I am a fan of the lockbox system…80% of the time. 😉