Part of my early morning ritual is to read articles from several real estate sources. It is a wonderful way to find blogging topics and stay up to date on trends and "big thoughts" in the housing sector. Today, I read and pondered the value of an article suggesting perhaps it is time to return to the "Old School" method of presenting offers--face to face.
In two days Norma Toering & Team will close another escrow with a seller we have never met and an agent we emailed and called but never met face to face. This is not a distressed property, nor is it located out of the area. We are not dealing with institutions; we are dealing with individuals--faceless ones. The human touch is missing.
Like many other agents, when I am representing the buyer I write a cover letter for every offer telling the sellers and their agent a little bit about my buyer. I always include a pre-approval letter from their lender, but in the more genteel days of selling real estate I shared a cup of coffee or a glass of iced tea and conversation with the sellers and listing agent in a face to face meeting at the seller's home or in the listing agent's office. In our rush to embrace technology have we removed a portion of the fulfillment and satisfaction of consummating a sale?
Electronic signatures, scanning and emails have elminated the need to meet people face to face, but is this a good thing in a people oriented profession?
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Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333
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Norma
We live in an area where most of our sellers are out of the area so a face to face isn't possible. But if they DO live here and we CAN meet them face to face to present an offer, then by all means we prefer that. There's no replacing watching the expressions on their faces as you present the terms. It totally helps with knowing where their heads are without having to ask!
Bill & Cyndi - The other parties are checking to see if they want to enter into a 30-60 day contract with our buyer and with us as the buyer's agent, so our competence and professionalism must be top-notch in a face to face meeting.
Norma,
Interesting post and great points you bring up. We have done many deals via fax without meeting the person, however, you do get to know them by phone. A
Alexandra - It is the new normal and I've certainly embraced it, but I often wonder if the relationships we form will be as deep and lasting as the ones formed when there is more face to face interaction.
I'm always happy to present "face to face" but often times the seller doesn't want to meet each agent presenting an offer nor does the listing agent want to deal with people waiting in the reception area. I've had many agents lately ask for a hard copy offer with all disclosures signed sent to their office - no meeting required.
I'll go either way but as our clients may have busy schedules, kids, or other logistical issues, sending the offer is often better. What is lost when that happens is the ability to negotiate "on the fly" which can often get the buyer accepted.
Bryan - The "goodwill factor" is often lost without the face to face and a closing handshake, but I agree scheduling is a huge problem.
Norma - when I have the opportunity to present my buyers' offer face-to-face, I will always opt for the chance but you are right -- it is definitely not the norm these days. I'm not one to look back for the good ol' days but this is certainly an aspect of our business I wish would return.
Michael - Sometimes I wonder if we need to reel in our rush to technology just a tad and retrun to the occasional face to face encounter. Just because we can, does not mean we should.