Today I went on a tour of local homes.  The manager broker insists that her agents go out and tour the neighborhood.  She is right of course, how can you be the local real estate expert when you do not know the market?  And we don’t just see OUR listings, but we see listing from OTHER real estate offices.  So when you call me to inquire about one our listings; then find out that the house is missing a feature that you must have, well, maybe I have seen something else that has that feature.
 

Sometime I tour by myself, and sometimes I tour with another agent.  Today I toured with another agent.  We pulled up to a home and the agent asked me, at what price did I think the home would sell.  I blurted out a number, and she said, well lets go in to see the house.  As I walked through the house, I sort of realized that I had fallen into a trap.
 

The trap being to give a price, or make any assumption about a home without actually looking at it.  The price I quoted was way too low.  And many home improvements, such as, a nicely done bump out, updated kitchen, a very nice blend of old and new.  So I should have known better.
 

But I wonder how many other agents fall into this trap?  I know for certain that a lot of agents do not tour on tour days.  And yet many of these same agents have something on their business card or web site, or what ever, that proclaims that they know the market.
 

Indeed, how many home buyers pass up a house because it looks small on the outside?  Buyers looking without agent have got to hook up with a local agent.  Many of you are passing up really nice desirable homes, but, don’t know it.  The internet is great to start looking, lots of information…maybe too much to take in.  But, an agent that knows the area, and your needs, will save you time and money, and find you a great home.