How long should a showing take?

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by wrench409

Reason: At a showing yesterday my wife and I did a walk through of a home. Wanting to be thorough, we took about 40 minutes to really look it over - my wife at the details that interested her, myself the structural issues and the manly stuff, etc. At the 30 minute mark another person drove up and the realtor told us she had to wrap up to show it to the next prospect. So we left, not getting answers needed and not being able to truly view the property completely to our liking.

Unusual: My wife feels the next prospect was actually a 'ringer' or friend. She feels that a Realtor wouldn't schedule two prospects within an hour. Plus the Realtor (a female) showing to a male prospect alone?

First showings are usually pretty superficial. People don't normally spend a lot of time examining every nook and cranny of a house until they have decided that they are somewhat interested and possibly thinking about making an offer. This is not always the case, of course. There are some people who do wish to be thorough right off the bat so it is often hard to gauge exactly how long to allocate to a showing. Personally, I would allow at least 45 minutes to an hour - depending on the property.

As for your last statement single females show homes to male prospects all the time, although it is not as common as it once was. There are lots of realtors (male and female) with concealed carry permits "just in case".

20yrsinBranson

[jdhall1]

I give a 30 minute time period if looking at homes in the same area, and about 1 hour if going from town to town. I try to keep to a schelude, but things come up like traffic, buyers showing up late to my office, extra time at other houses,etc etc. If my clients are going back for a second showing, I budget about one hour to one and half hours.

[NinaN]

I've never had a client stay 30 minutes when first looking at a home. They can usually tell within a few minutes. Sometimes they stay longer if the really like it. We spend a lot more time there after they have an offer accepted, so they can measure for new flooring or carpet, plan for curtains or other updates, and of course for the inspection.

However, the other buyer that came buy should have waited until you were done looking. Your realtor should have stepped outside to let them know you would be wrapping up soon, then wait for you to finish.

If you are really interested in the house, don't let that ruse (or rudeness) of the agent influence your decision. Get the house you want. If you need a more detailed look, let the realtor know.

[Ohiogirl81]

Depends. If I like a house, I'll stay an hour or longer, poking around and asking questions, sitting at the kitchen table to get a feel for the place.

If I don't like it, I'm out of there in 15 minutes.

[Sunnydee]

I usually know within the first couple of minutes whether it's the house for me or not.

[TempesT68]

They can book showings whenever they want and often times a few at once. When i was selling they booked three different showings in an hours time. Two were looking through at the same time. Like mentioned if it was one that you were really interested it, just book a second showing.