On Christmas morning, we had an unexpected storm come through, with heavy rains and winds up to 60 mph. Some parts of the Tampa Bay area even had tornados - some 400 homes were damaged in San Antonio, north of Tampa.
After such incidents, we always go around and check the properties that are vacant, or whose owners are away. Certainly part of it is to keep things in top condition while they're listed, which means taking care of fallen branches, torn or missing signs, screen panels hanging down, etc. It also makes the owners feel good when you call and tell them that you've checked things out and let them know of anything that needs to be done.
The not so glamourous job of the Florida REALTOR. :) This would be the "extra mile" everyone has heard about.
I was showing property during Charlie and had to call a list agent to let her know there was a mammoth Grand Daddy Oak in the house!
You go around and look at homes that aren't listed as well? Homes that you already have on an "absentee list" that you are soliciting for listing? How big an area do you work?
If a home is in need of a roof, (just due to neglect) do you write the homeowner who is possibly 800 miles away and let him know that? Do people tell you myob?
thanks
Chris - what surprising news THAT must have been!
Joanne - sorry I wasn't clear. I go around to check my listings that are vacant. If clients and friends are away from their homes, as many are during the summer hurricane season, I check those homes, too. And I'll check my neighbors' homes if they are away. All of them are happy to hear from me, whether to tell them their home is safe or that something needs attention. I don't write to homeowners I don't know to tell them their neglected roof needs to be replaced, so haven't had anyone tell me to mmob. I also don't have an "absentee list" that I'm soliciting for listings - actually we turn down more listings than we accept. We cover Pinellas County and parts of Hillsborough County, Manatee County and occasionally Pasco County for buyers, but don't feel we can properly service a listing over that broad an area. Most of our listings are within 20 minutes of our office in downtown St Petersburg, though we do make some exceptions depending on the price/value of a property, whether it's occupied or vacant, and what our relationship is with the owner. Thanks for taking the time to comment.