The Feedback Factor

As long as I can remember, feedback has been an important part of the home selling process. EVERY seller wants to know what people thought of their home after a showing occurs. While you would think that providing a listing agent would be a professional courtesy extended by showing agents, it is often difficult to get helpful information from them.
The most common way to obtain feedback over the years has been to try and call the potential buyer's agent to get their input. Often, I would hear things like:
"We looked at several properties, I don't remember that one."
"I'm busy at the moment, I'll have to call you back."
You kind of see a pattern here.
For the past several years, I have used a system that I feel has been more effective. I find it much easier to get a response to an email than a phone call. A copy of the mls sheet is emailed to every agent that shows one of my listings thanking them for showing our property and asking their opinion on pricing, condition and location. This helps with the; "I don't recall" response as my description of the home and several photos are included with the mls sheet. The; "I'm busy" is some what eliminated because they are normally able to push "reply" and take 2 seconds to let me know their thoughts.
Seller's appreciate the information and I am able to keep better track of our listings through the constant follow up.
Real estate is a smaller world than one might think. A high percentage of homes is sold by a small percentage of agents. This is more true as the market softens and many of the people that thought they would get in on the "easy ride," are leaving the business. Most of the better agents know that feedback is appreciated and will respond when they can.
Good communication skills are necessary in real estate. Phone calls, emails and follow up help immensely. As a buyer or a seller, all that YOU have to do is... "Just Call Nick!"