Special offer

Spam prevention
Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Cards are traditionally left after showing homes in my market.  I'm on the fence as to gathering them up as Chris and Dick Dovorany have mentioned or, do I leave them to create a buying frenzy or auction mentality . . .  

"I must buy this before someone else submits an offer!"

Jul 08, 2015 04:29 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Everyone leaves them in our town, some of the old homes I have looked at had so many cards on the kitchen counter that they looked like a testimony of disinterest among the buying pool of our town.

I bought a few of these homes, cheap.

Jul 08, 2015 05:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do ask agents to leave a card if they show my listing.  But I noticed that less and less agents are leaving their cards these days.

Jul 08, 2015 05:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

When an agent is showing a listing of mine, I like it when they leave a business card. That shows my seller that the agent was there. The seller usually does whatever they want with the business card. I have a showing log at my office that tracks when and who showed the property. 

Jul 08, 2015 03:00 PM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I don't requireit, the lock box lets me know exactly who showed the home anyway nicely on my computer without having to go to the house. I think it is an outdated custom.

Jul 08, 2015 04:35 AM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

No, pointless, since Sentrilock system verifies when people enter and leave home. 

Jul 08, 2015 04:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

It's standard practice in our area to leave a business card. It makes it easier to follow up, ask for feedback, etc., but we don't require it. When agents leave cards, we take them right away - why would I let someone else advertise in my listing?

The agents that show our properties receive a phone call within a day or two requesting feedback.

Jul 08, 2015 03:46 AM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

I do not require agents to leave their cards as the lockboxes record who shows my listings.  I can follow up with these agents from a report I receive.

Jul 08, 2015 02:47 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I do not.  Our local MLS require them to sign in plus I can see all who have used the electronic key safe thru Supra for me to follow up for feedback.

Jul 08, 2015 02:42 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Collect them immediately so it doesn't look like everyone in the world has been there and no one likes it.

Jul 08, 2015 02:34 AM
Rainmaker
323,664
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Richard, requiring other REALTORS® to do anything is like telling a kitty cat to stop watching the bird in the cage.  They do what they want to do.

I do express the hope and appreciation that they will.  My main motive has been with regard toward the sellers: a physical sign that someone has shown interest in their home.  It further affords a verification of contact information; and there may be an occasional boost to other prospects' move toward urgency, but that falls behind the appeal of the property, the personal attraction felt by buyers, the ability to draw buyer and seller into a mutual agreement on terms, and sellers' urgency to sell.

An aside: if marketing is drawing traffic, the collection of cards may lend seller added motivation to consider why the property is not selling, prompting the sellers to give more thought toward recommendations made by the listing agent, for example reducing the asking price or becoming more flexible in negotiations.  And there are others.

 

Jul 08, 2015 02:02 PM
Rainmaker
284,107
Scott Leaf Personal Real Estate Corporation
Keller Williams Elite Realty, Port Coquitlam, BC - Port Coquitlam, BC
Scott Leaf & Associates Real Estate Team

In a hot market a pile of cards looks great and can create auction frenzy but that impression wears off after just a few days and then the reverse is true.  Then they make it looks like something no one wants.  Not withstanding lockbox tracking systems, the business card is a courtesy to the home owner to show that the agent kept their appointment.

Jul 08, 2015 10:21 AM
Rainmaker
90,543
Debra Peters
Referral Realty - Manorville, NY
NY Real Estate Salesperson

I ask them to please leave s card.
It's a catch 22. Sometimes I leave them, sometimes I take them to show the homeowner. In my opinion you can look at this 2 ways.
If you leave a few, it shows the others that the house had been getting activity, putting a potential buyer in the fear of loss. On the other hand, leaving too many might lead someone to believe that if there are so many cards and the house is still available, then something might be wrong.

Jul 08, 2015 04:46 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

i think it is very important. they are physically leaving a PART of themselves there. a marker (no, not a tombstone :) )   and yes as others said, follow up. remember....you dont sell YOUR listings ...other agents do. sell them, and you will win!

good question      thanks. mike

Jul 08, 2015 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,244,626
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

I do not require it, and when they do leave them, I pick them up for the same reason Chris and Dick Dovorany mentioned in their answer.

Jul 08, 2015 02:39 AM
Rainmaker
931,002
Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

I like it. I do collect them and I like to ask them what they thought. It's best to do this as soon as possible while the visit is still fresh.

Jul 08, 2015 02:38 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Our local board requires leaving a card.

There's typically a small bowl where the cards are placed.  

Jul 09, 2015 12:17 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

Main Goal of Leaving a Card
It shows the home owner that people are showing the home. An office show list may achieve the same result but some sellers like to see the cards and some take your word for it. It's more a reflection on the type of Seller you are working with.

Supra Lockbox
Fantastic tech but we don't use that here. Looking forward to that day.

 

So yes there are pros and cons for every approach and I would take the stance that it all depends on the type of seller you have an how you prepare them. At the listing appointment I tell them:

1. Our office keeps a record of everyone who has requested to show your home.
2. I ask other Realtors to leave their card to prove that they were there and to get their cell number to follow up with them directly.
3. They don't always leave their card so we can't assume that because there were only five cards there were only five showings. I'll explain that to them.
4. I will gather up the majority of cards at my showings. If the owner lives in the home I'll ask them to leave five of the cards aside and to gather anything else above that number. I will pick these up on my inspections/showings.

 

Jul 08, 2015 09:45 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Richard - It is still common practice here in my area, but I do not ask for them. We use Supra Lockbox here, and that tells me exactly who shows my listings, the date and time, and their contact info.

Jul 08, 2015 04:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Paper is a terrible thing to waste. We have enough unused trash in the world, and with the advent of electronic showing assist, why bother?

Jul 08, 2015 12:36 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes....I collect them to compare who was there.

Jul 08, 2015 11:57 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Many agents leave them without being asked. When sellers get home from work, they like to see that their home is being shown. If I'm previewing, i write on back " preview" with date and time I was in house.

Jul 08, 2015 11:05 AM
Rainmaker
687,136
Hella Mitschke Rothwell
(831) 626-4000 - Honolulu, HI
Hawaii & California Real Estate Broker

Great question. I've always wondered why listing agents left the cards lying around, usually on the kitchen counter. Is to impress a sense of urgency to the buyers going through that others are interested? Is it for the sellers benefit to show how often it was shown? That can for and against you. Why is the house not sold if so many have looked at it? Sorry, more questions here than answers.

Jul 08, 2015 10:53 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I do not require it and if they leave one I collect them. I let all agents know when there is a price change or seller concession offered.

Jul 08, 2015 09:38 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

We leave them on site, but do note who was courteous enough to follow our wishes.

Jul 08, 2015 06:50 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Absoltely NOT!

I do not provide nor request a sign in.

The SUPRA system tracks EVERYTHING I need to know.

I already know everone who has expressed interest in any listing I take. 

A business card or list left behind only present PROBLEMS.

Should I find business cards left behind, I wait for an opportunity to return the favor at the earliest opportunity, but immediately toss their card in the trash.

Jul 08, 2015 04:52 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

We don't - Supra lockbox activity provides their contact information

Jul 15, 2016 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
786,080
Claude Labbe
RLAH / @properties - Washington, DC
Realty for Your Busy Life

Just because you ask doesn't mean you'll get them.

Professional courtesy would suggest every agent leave them, regardless of being asked, ESPECIALLY if the home isn't vacant (so the seller knows someone was in their home).

I don't let them pile up, those shows lack of care/attention.

And yes, I've seen listing agents dump a stack of cards to make it appear that there's been tremendous interest. That seems like grade school thinking, but that's how some operate.

Jul 09, 2015 01:57 PM
Rainmaker
3,271,333
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

My business of Feng Shui has the tradition of the red envelope.

Jul 08, 2015 10:51 AM