It is common after a Realtor has shown a home to get a request for feedback on how the showing went. These used to be in the form of phone calls which were pretty annoying. You would be out showing houses and your cell phone would ring. It would be a listing agent wanting to know how your showing on their listing went. You were in the "now" and no way could you even picture that house without the file in front of you. Things have changed and now we get electronic feedback requests in which we rate a house and give comments. It is easy and until you fill one out in my area of the U.S., you will keep getting requests.
How does one interpret feedback? The sellers in my town get a copy of the feedback. They usually take it as the word of God and you need to help them understand who is saying what.
* A very detailed feedback with suggestions about what to do with everything on the property, is usually from a Realtor who has too much time on their hands and does not list houses. (These comments can be treated appropriately.)
* Feedback that is "I" orientated such as " I have a buyer who want the following. . .", tells us that he did not read his buyer well and is showing him everything out there until something sticks. (This is a bother as the sellers went to a great deal of work for his little experiment.)
* The comments saying that the seller needs to redo the kitchen, bathrooms, and finish the basement is from who? (We all would like a listing that perfect.}
* A Realtor who says very little on his comments is saying two things: 1) I hate to fill these out and am giving you what I have to so these requests stop coming to me. 2) I have an interested buyer and do not want to give up any points in negotiating.(The second is the best.)
* It is helpful when an agent talks about other listings they showed that day and why that house met their buyer's needs better.(This helps a seller to position their house better.)
* A person needs to watch for words such as too small. This really means overpriced. At that price point they are seeing larger homes. (Sellers need to be accepting of comments and not defensive.)
* A lisping agent needs to respond when an agent sends an objection that can be over-come or if there is confusion on the part of the showing agent. You never know when you can save a showing. I do think it is important not to debate with the person who sent the feedback. You will never win.
Feedback is important but you must always remember who it came from and why they might have made those comments. They might sound like a bull horn in your ear, but do listen to them.
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