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AUGUST 2013 • VOLUME 18 • ISSUE 4
Don't rule out the “old-fashioned” property tour By Autumn Rhea Carpenter
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ven in the digital era, in-person property tours haven’t lost their allure. While agents can assess a house on a laptop from the comfort of home, taking a property tour offers more benefits than a quick photo slideshow can ever offer. An agent-only property tour, sponsored by brokers, title companies or mortgage companies, invites REALTORS to see pre-set homes that are the newest addition to local inventory. Usually the event is a caravan-type scheduled tour where agents group together to visit the houses. These tours are scheduled for week-
days instead of client-centric open houses that are usually held on weekends. Obviously, successful tours don’t conflict with local real estate association meetings or large broker firms’ office meetings, and are scheduled for time slots when the most agents can attend. These tours allow REALTORS to express their insights on specific neighborhoods and provide a chance to get up-close and personal with the competition.
the area. “During a property tour—for Area 5 (East Austin) for exam-
Tour new inventory Seeing a property in person speaks volumes compared to memorizing an Internet listing. New agents should fill their calendars with tours, as they offer a chance to view as many homes as possible in the city; these events can quickly educate a new REALTOR on the different neighborhoods and price ranges in
ple—agents can visit 10 homes with each REALTOR showcasing one property to the other nine agents,” says Van-
essa Nunez of Private Label Realty. “This opportunity allows the listing a broader showing, and lets the agents who might have missed the property online to see it in person. A few hours spent in a property tour can equate to great exposure for an agent’s client.” Agents usually distribute forms so that tour-goers can share their feedback on the various included properties. The questions refer to pricing, competition, staging and deferred maintenance. “We find property tours very helpful,” says Kent Redding of Prudential Texas Realty. “We use a tag-team process where one agent is at the home preparing for the tour to come through and greeting agents while another agent is traveling on the tour and visiting the other homes. With this method, we are not rushed and can make sure our listing gets strong attention.”
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Upcoming Events Tuesday, August 20 HBA Georgetown Chapter Bob's Catfish 'N More - 12 to 1 p.m.
Friday, September 6 WILCO HREP Lunch & Learn KB Home Office - 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, September 19 WCAoR Wild Ride Scavenger Hunt WCAoR Office - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, August 21 CRS Bi-Monthly Meeting Westwood Country Club - 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, September 11 NAPMW Monthly Luncheon Norris Conf. Center - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, September 24 HBA Networking Social BMC- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4 AMBA Monthly Luncheon Austin Country Club - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, September 12 WCR Monthly Luncheon ABoR Office - 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 3 HBA Golf Extravaganza Teravista Golf Club - 12 to 6 p.m.
Friday, September 6 HBA Hays County Chapter Big Texas Sporting Clay Shootout TDS Exotic Game Ranch - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, September 17 NARPM Monthly Luncheon Balcones Country Club 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9 WCR: Bras for a Cause Shoal Crossing - 6 to 10 p.m. More at www.myRealtyLine.com