The most important reason why you should use a licensed REALTOR® is for your own safety. When you list your home with a REALTOR®, you have a secure lockbox to house your key and all viewings of your home is in the company of an agent to protect your home and its belongings. Unfortunately, there are people that will target you for your prescription drugs and easy to take valuables, such as jewelry. When an agent calls the showing desk to set up a showing of your home, you can assume that the buyer is pre-qualified to purchase your home! What an advantage over letting any random person into your home if you are for sale by owner.
The lockbox works with a satellite, so as soon as an agent gains access to the key, I receive an email immediately alerting me to their entry. This is especially important if you are going to be gone for a few days, or if the home is vacant so that we can keep track of the showings on your home. Also, if lights are left on, we will know who was last in the home. The lockbox is also set for only certain times for the keybox to allow access, such as only between the hours of 7 am and 9 pm.
You set the showing instructions for your home, although I would suggest a maximum of a 4 hour notice. Often agents do not call until the day of a showing or if the buyers are from out of town, they do not have time to schedule 24 hours ahead. You should leave your home every morning expecting it to be shown, then it makes it easy for all buyers to have access easily during the day and early evening hours. This is especially important on the weekends when most buyers are available to view homes. Your flexibiliity is key.
I recently put a home on the market. It was on the MLS, but there was no sign yet since it was a Friday. The next day, the buyer's agent called me while showing other listings in the neighborhood. They would need to be able to see it within 15 minutes. It was an out of town buyer that was only there for the day. I immediately called my sellers and explained the situation. It was a Saturday and fortunately they were home and could turn on all of the lights and leave quickly. That first buyer made an offer on the home before anyone else could even see it! Sometimes it all comes down to access. Had we not allowed the showing, this buyer would have been back in a week, and possibly would not be as interested in seeing the home.
Overall, I think that the security of your home and your valuables is paramount and I make sure that any potential buyers that come into your home during an open house take the time to fill out their name and address. I then also make sure to not leave them unattended so that they know that I am watching where they are at all times.
I hope that if you decide to list your home, you will now understand how important your showing instructions are and that they are ultimately the key to selling your home quickly! Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you had a great holiday weekend!
Karen