Sarah Cook

"I'm just not sure as a seller that I would choose an agent who takes this stance over an agent who prefers to be at a showing for the many good reasons I put forth before."

I think, as a potential seller, that this statement is of concern to someone who may be just getting started to sell. It's pretty clear that there are regional variations in what is customary. If a seller is in an area where it is common for occupied homes to have a lockbox and for listing agents *not* to be present during showings, and they read the above statement - what are they going to think when they look for an agent and the agents tell them that they should be using a lockbox? "These agents are all slackers!" When really it's just a matter of the common practice in that area. They may even go so far as to ponder "Well, if all of these agents are slackers, maybe I'll just list my home by owner."

I know that when it's time for me to put my home on the market, our agent (who was our buyer's agent eight years ago and is truly awesome) and I (and DH) will work together and do what it takes to get our house sold. I suspect that a lockbox will be a part of the picture. Fortunately, I know that he's neither lazy or stupid (or we wouldn't be going back to him), and will use all of his resources to get our home sold at a good price. - Fri Mar 28 2008, 05:40