Showings in Big Rapids This Past Weekend

As I have written in many blogs I am not one who likes showing homes with tenants involved. Big Rapids, being a college town, I do show my share. Seems there is a definite break in communication between the showing agent, list agent, seller and tenant. Somehow in that simple four step process one is always left out. Out of five showing at least two have no idea why we are there and one has changed the locks and we can't gain access. Even though my part of setting the showings amounted to calling the list agent to schedule and again to confirm, my clients always look at me like I have dropped the ball somehow.

This past weekend was no exception. I have attempted to show this student a home on Grand Traverse four times now. Each time the list agent promises he has contacted the seller who immediately contacted the tenant. Key works in this one....but the two dogs inside have not been told we were coming and they are standing firm we may not show their home today. So off to the next home. Here we are met by not only my clients girlfriend but one of his friends that will be living with him and of course the friends parents. Only thing better than looking like a fool is doing it in front of more people. lol. We all meet in front of a house that has no curb appeal and I am thinking...eh. Unexpectedly as we enter I am very pleasantly surprised. Everything was perfect. They loved the home and I was thinking things have evened out and it is going to be a great day. Two more houses and we are done.

Next house was an expired listing that I had contacted the owner and told it was still available but not on market. She had told tenants 4pm sharp. I always double check on the way there and yes they are waiting. House is unlocked. I give a shout when I open the door (good way to see if dogs are home) and hear nothing so in we go. As we are removing shoes on porch I hear something so I open French doors going into the house and here are five young men watching hockey. You couldn't quite make them out from the smoke and the baggies on the coffee table confirmed the smell. The had forgot I was coming in the half  hour it took to show the last house. We hurried into the kitchen and when I looked back the last person was going through the door on his way out of the house. Never seen the upstairs on that one.

Last house was not anything my client liked either as the tenants had the dining room made into a beer pong arena and the carpets were beyond cleaning. All in all not bad, I was able to get into three of the five houses, wasn't shot or bit and actually found one my client liked. Afterward he emailed to thank me for my day and to let me know next weekend his parents want to see them. I can hardly wait. Not all showings are like this but whenever there is a tenant involved it is a 50/50 chance of getting in or what you will find. Keeps life fresh to meet the unknowns every day.