I'd like to introduce a brand new product and an incredible listing tool for agents. The device is the "Showing Beacon (TM)" and it helps reduce the hassle for the seller having to leave their house during a home showing.

As you know, the homeowner typically is asked to pack up the kids, dogs, etc. and get out of the house for a couple of hours so the home can be shown. Sometimes the showing agent and buyer enter the house - don't like something about it -and leave immediately. Meanwhile, the homeowner never knows when to come home. They either start circling the block looking for the agent's car or wait at a park, restaurant or mall for the full duration.

The "Showing Beacon (TM)" is a very simple device that solves this problem. After the buyer's agent is finished showing the house they push the button on the Showing Beacon as they are leaving. The Beacon then sends a message (voice or text) to the seller's cell-phone (or PDA) to let them know the coast is clear.

Obviously, a great listing tool for any parents with young children, an seller with a home-office, or anyone that just wants to get home as soon as possible. It's a great way to differentiate your service... wouldn't you sign with the agent that was trying to save you time?

We're getting a great response from around the U.S. and we just started service in Canada!

If you'd like to learn more about the Beacon please visit www.showingbeacon.com

I'd love to hear what you think.

Bill Faherty
bill@showingbeacon.com
www.showingbeacon.com
Showing Beacon (TM) - Patent pending

sounds like something an agent can do by dialing his/her cell phone.

Margaret,
Thanks for your question. Your right - if the showing agent is the seller's agent - they should make the call. If, on the other hand, the showing agent is the BUYER'S agent there are a couple of problems. First, in most markets the selling agent doesn't like the buyer's agent to contact the seller directly. The selling agent doesn't like being out of the loop. Secondly, the buyer's agent doesn't want to stop and dial the seller's phone number when their done with the showing... especially if the buyer is waiting to get to the next property. The showing agent also may not want to call the seller because it will open up the conversation about feedback on the property.. which may not be the best time if the buyer is still there.

Great question - Please let me know if I can help with anything else.
Bill

it wasn't a question. you're just one more person after our hard earned money. jeez..buyers agent doesnt want to stop to dial the phone. rather give you some money. ha

Bill, I appreciate your posting this information. With this being the "Products and Services for Realtors Only" board, I find it entirely appropriate and wanted you to know that it is appreciated.

I, for one, am very interested in buyer's agents NOT speaking to the seller, so I do like your idea of the beacon. Is this available for any market, or do we have to be in a certain geographical area?

Bill,

The product sounds like a good idea, and can fill a real need. Thanks for posting.

Margaret,

I think you miss the point. As I understand it, the device is designed for a listing agent to provide for his client. It is an extra service that you could use to make your client's life a bit easier.

Feel free not to buy the product, but really, to bash the guy for posting an appropriate product in the appropriate place?

I don't think Bill is after "your hard earned money." I think he is selling another tool you may want to use. Sort of like the manufacturers of computers, printers, cell phones, PDAs, cars, or whatever else you may already use to earn your commission.

Cherir,
Thanks for the nice comments. We use the regular cellular networks - so the Beacon will work wherever the sellers phones work. We are now operating in all of the states and Canada.
Bill

Auburn,

Thank you for your nice comments too. You're right... it's just another tool for you to use to help out your sellers. The idea actually came from the frustration of our President when he was selling his home. Packing up the kids and driving around in freezing weather was a hassle.

I guess i just don't get it. Why cant the showing agent just call the listing agent?

excuse me for bashing. you are correct. it was posted to the correct place and i was being rude. I do appologize.

You are absolutely right: the showing agent CAN call the listing agent. Unfortunately, few ever do. When my wife and I sold our last house, we had a lot of showings and not one of the showing agents ever gave us the courtesy of calling us back to let us know they were done. It was kind of a pain having my wife, infant girl, two dogs, and two cats all loaded in our mini-van riding around, waiting for sme word they were done!

I'm just glad I had already sold my Mustang!

Historically, showing agents don't call the listing agent back for usually one of 3 reasons:

1.) They showed 15 houses and simply don't get around to calling everyone back.

2.) Lazy - don't call anyone back.

3.) (Most common in my market) - don't want to talk to the listing agent in person - don't want to be kept on the phone, don't want to talk about the feedback. Email works really well for many agents - asking for feedback via email.

This product, however, isn't addressing feedback. Just simply, letting the seller know they can come home. Feedback can come later.

Yes, the showing agent could call the listing agent. And then the listing agent could call the seller. And then the seller would say, "So, how did the showing go - did he/she give you any feedback?"

Cherir,

You have a great point about the feedback. Our system has been around about a year and I was really impressed how creative some agents have been. The system will call two cell phones as well as send two emails (or text messages). Some of the listing agents are now putting THEIR email address in the system... as soon as the showing is over they get an email and can follow up with a call to get feedback. Of course, this only works if they know who was showing the home... we had never thought of it being used that way!