If you hold Broker Open Houses and are frustrated at how few agents actually tour, you're not alone.  In part, we've brought the situation upon ourselves with a myriad of photos for each property and virtual tours.  Add in the escalating price of gas and one could say, "Why tour? I can see everything of interest any time, at my convenience - saving both time and money."

While this may be true, I propose that touring is essential for our business and offer 5 tips to get you going.

1. Photos don't always tell the real story.
   Ever view a property online, decide your Client will love it, send it along, schedule a showing only to discover that the photos were probably a bit old or featured only the best aspects of the property? Now you've wasted your Client's time, your time (and gas) and, undoubtedly, lost some credibility. Touring (and previewing) helps you stay current.
   
   
2. Learn something!
   Whenever I tour I always try to learn something new.  Maybe it's a staging tip.  Maybe the name of a caterer - if lunch was served. And I always have my pad and pen ready for FSBO signs!
    
3. Buddy-up to make it fun and economical.
   Aside from staying current on the inventory in your market, touring can turn "down time" in to "up time."  Round up  two or three other agents and talk about the market, your board, a seminar you attended or want to attend. Or, just "gossip"... share jokes ... anecdotes ... Find a way to laugh out loud - it's good for the soul. Also, kick in some money to the driver for gas.  Or, if it will be a regular group, take turns driving.
    
4. Embrace the "Golden Rule."
   You might say to yourself, "I don't have any buyers - why should I bother to tour?"  First that's a negative attitude and if you hold that intention, you will probably remain buyer-less. But today or tomorrow, you will have a buyer.  Or when a floor call comes in, wouldn't it be nice to be able to speak knowledgeably about the property? Staying current on your market is what a responsible professional does.
    
5. Pass it forward.
   I'm borrowing the title, and the premise, of one of my favorite movies. One reason we hold Brokers Opens is to get feedback from other professionals about the property - the pricing, the staging, its assets and how it might be improved to sell faster and for more money. We need to hear this feedback and we need to share it with our sellers.  If you don't have a listing, someday you will and you will want to get that feedback.  If you have 25 listings, you still need to make the time to get out there and check out the competition.  Remember, you get what you give - often ten fold. So get out there and give a little!

I will be the first to admit these are hardly innovative tips or ideas. However, I do know that taking action is better than standing still. In a down market, it's not easy to stay positive. But as practicing professionals we owe it to each other to do just that. Touring, attending Broker's Opens, it's just one way to show support for each other, try to bring a smile to our faces and keep up on the market.

Happy touring!