After a long, hard winter in the Crofton, MD area, Broker Caravans are starting up again. Wednesday was the first of the season and since we haven't had one in a while there were thirteen homes to tour. Great for thirty somethings...not so great for thirty plus somethings. Eleven of the thirteen homes were three levels.
Three brokerages are participating for this once a month event, Coldwell Banker, Prudential, and Long and Foster. Crofton, MD agents cover a densely populated area, with a lot of inventory. We don't always get to see every new listing that comes on the market in our area, and the caravan provides another opportunity to get familiar with the houses in our market.
The caravan is concentrated only on listings in Crofton, MD, and we go through them pretty quickly. Wednesday was no exception, thirteen houses in about an hour and a half. Feedback sheets are provided for each listing, and sometimes the feedback is actually valuable.
Home caravans are probably an anachronism in today's real estate world and should be discontinued. In the three offices participating there are probably about two hundred agents, and only about twenty show up for the tour. Each of the brokerages periodically question whether they should continue, and in the end, they do. At least for now. Attendance has been dropping off, as well as the interest in giving up a morning a month.
Frankly, I don't mind the caravans. After all, you really can't get to know the inventory that well from behind a computer screen.
Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com
Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist
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Rich Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).
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I actually like doing these tours and broker's opens because they are a good way to learn inventory. 13 houses in less than 2 hours is pretty tiring though.
Richard
I have always felt that broker caravans help sell home. Thanks for sharing the post.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
The tours help to connect face-to-face and creates an 'in the know' atmosphere among agents. I enjoy them too Rich!
Rich, We don't have them in my area. I've always thought it might be a great way to acquaint with the home nad with other agents.
Rich, We don't have them in my area. I've always thought it might be a great way to acquaint with the home nad with other agents.
Hi Richard...It's been years since I worked up in Northern Virginia but I did like doing the caravans. It was a good way to get to see at least some of the inventory from our office. We also had fun running around together. Down here we have done it very sporadically.
My suggestion is to skip some of the stairs if you're getting too tired. You can get a good sense from the main level and check the rest out on the computer. I know I've shown that many houses to clients and somehow managed to get up and down but I felt it by the end of the day.
Kate
Hi Richard ~ Caravans are becoming a thing of the past in our area. The only agents who seem to tour here are the ones who are looking to win draws or eat some yummy snacks on tour.
Richard, Don't you feel so lucky to be able to participate in such fun and frivolity? Look at all the quality time you get to spend with your colleagues. Gosh, you want to sit behind your desk and miss out on all this? H-m-m-m...
Stacey Ann: Certainly was on my knees.
Lou: I don't know whether they do or not, but they are valuable.
Wanda: I agree but I think we're going to be in the minority.
Judy: Its one of those things...you either like them, or you don't.
Kathleen: Two other "seasoned" agents were with me and we did split up on occasion. One on the main level, one upstairs and one down...than comparing notes.
Melinda: Not a darn donut in sight.
Mike: This is why we Realtors make Home Inspectors jealous.
Richard..you are so right..i have sold many a house with a caravan .. but we don't do them anymore
HelpfulHannah
Oh you must have missed the donuts at the first house LOL. I have really mixed feelings on these 'City Tours'. On one hand I do enjoy because it gives me the opportunity to see many homes over a short period of time but on the other hand many of the agents who listings are on tour do not go the next time IF they do not have one on tour. Guess I just need to keep focused on the fact going on tour helps 'me'. :0)
Richard, caravans are a great way to get to know the inventory in your market place. It's good to see the old office tours being updated and brought into modern times.