Contacting the Seller

[John Allingham]

I hate it when I show up at the door and the seller is not expecting me (probably happens 1% of the time). It's due to the long line of communication...my client tells his realtor, his realtor tells the selling realtor, selling realtor tells the seller...lots of room for miscommunication.

Do any of you call the seller directly, if the number is available through "reverse lookup", to confirm the time and location?

[Tom Summerford, 808]

I have been in the Construction Industry for over 30 years, I learned a long time ago that you need to trust people but, you can't trust people. Call and verify with everyone day before the appointment.

[John Allingham]

I have started doing that but I have had a few selling realtors complaining that I should not be contacting the seller directly.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jallingham

I have started doing that but I have had a few selling realtors complaining that I should not be contacting the seller directly.

And they are correct. There is a reason for confidentiality. The buyer (almost) never knows the identity of the seller. Sometimes they find out at closing.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Originally Posted by tsummerford

I have been in the Construction Industry for over 30 years, I learned a long time ago that you need to trust people but, you can't trust people. Call and verify with everyone day before the appointment.

I have been doing Inspections for over 10 years...
Sellers being surprised will occur
but
should not be a surprise...

They just signed a contract providing for an Inspection to occur within the next 5 - 7 days...

Their issue is with their Agent.

Why take on additional responsibility, time and expense to do someone else's job?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

I have been doing Inspections for over 10 years...
Sellers being surprised will occur
but
should not be a surprise...

They just signed a contract providing for an Inspection to occur within the next 5 - 7 days...

Their issue is with their Agent.

Why take on additional responsibility, time and expense to do someone else's job?

I agree when it happens with us I just apologize for you not receiving notification .
I blame no one and just tell them I will be here for about 3 hours give them my pen a card and carry on .... Roy

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by jjonas

And they are correct. There is a reason for confidentiality. The buyer (almost) never knows the identity of the seller. Sometimes they find out at closing.

I don't agree. My only responsibility is to my client. If the phone number is public, I will speak to anyone up to and including the Pope.
I think realtors sometimes confuse their COE with our COE, they are different.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jallingham

I don't agree. My only responsibility is to my client. If the phone number is public, I will speak to anyone up to and including the Pope.
I think realtors sometimes confuse their COE with our COE, they are different.

First question... where did you get the owners name to look to see if the number is public?

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by jjonas

First question... where did you get the owners name to look to see if the number is public?

Don't need the owner's name..."reverse lookup".
If it's not there then it's not public and I don't (can't) call.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by jjonas

First question... where did you get the owners name to look to see if the number is public?

Public records! Right there for all to see is the owner's name, contact phone number, mailing address, and even the financing history!

There are many outfits that specialize in putting public records on the Internet. I use Realist because I have free access to it through the MLS, which I also have free access to because my husband is a Realtor.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by jallingham

I hate it when I show up at the door and the seller is not expecting me (probably happens 1% of the time). It's due to the long line of communication...my client tells his realtor, his realtor tells the selling realtor, selling realtor tells the seller...lots of room for miscommunication.

Do any of you call the seller directly, if the number is available through "reverse lookup", to confirm the time and location?

I have no communications with anyone about the inspection other than with the person who hired me.

[Paul Pendley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

I have no communications with anyone about the inspection other than with the person who hired me.

Agreed

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

Originally Posted by jallingham

Don't need the owner's name..."reverse lookup".
If it's not there then it's not public and I don't (can't) call.

Did you check to see if the Owner is listed on the "Do Not Call" list?

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jallingham

Don't need the owner's name..."reverse lookup".
If it's not there then it's not public and I don't (can't) call.

Originally Posted by rray

Public records! Right there for all to see is the owner's name, contact phone number, mailing address, and even the financing history!

There are many outfits that specialize in putting public records on the Internet. I use Realist because I have free access to it through the MLS, which I also have free access to because my husband is a Realtor.

That wasn't really my point, but my fault for not being more specific.

Why do you even bother wasting the time, and what gives you the ethical right to contact the seller?

Do you have such a big problem with this? I can't remember ever having this issue. Ever! I freely communicate with my clients, and on some occassions, my clients agent. Very rarely do I contact the sellers agent except in rare cases of needing the lockbox code. I have never needed to call the seller directly. I leave that up to the other 'professionals' involved.

This was the only time in recent memory that I had any communication with a seller... http://www.nachi.org/forum/f16/worn-...uestion-49623/

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by jhagarty

Did you check to see if the Owner is listed on the "Do Not Call" list?

No, does not apply since I'm not trying to sell him anything.
My dentist's secretary calls me the day before every appoinyment.