This post was inspired by Claude Cross when he wrote about the When the GPS device in your car may work against you.
First let me say that I have huge respect for Claude or anyone else who does not need to use their GPS when showing homes. I cannot make that particular claim.
I only got my GPS about 2 years ago, and before that I used a TON of time taping together maps and highlighting my route so that I would not make any mistakes and run the risk of my client thinking I was a complete idiot. I have a said before that by all accounts I really should be dead considering the number of times I looked down at my map to see if I was on the right path. And I don't mean just for a second. I really had to look at it often to make sure if I had to turn left or right. I think it's quite comparable to texting and very dangerous. Really, I am grateful I did not kill myself or anyone else.
One commenter on Claude's post even said that if he were to relocate to another state and the agent that was to show him homes had a GPS in his or her car, he would get out of the car.
I think that was just a bit over the top. Through our wonderful internet buyers have the ability to look for homes in several counties if they choose. I know that in the past year I have gone further out of my market area in order to keep buyers happy. I do plenty of research but I most definitely take along my GPS. When I use my GPS I am much better able to focus on the client, the home I am showing and the neighborhood instead of worrying about the next left or right turn.
So the question I have is would you rather work with an agent who knows the name of every single street and cul-de-sac in every city in which they show and how to get there without the use of their GPS, or would you rather have an agent who can tell you if
- the community has a community center that can be rented for family gatherings or meetings
- that it has not one but 3 swimming pools
- that there was a recent lawsuit because the management company embezzled the association's money
- that there are deed restrictions where you are buying such as "no sheds"
- that if there is an annual or monthly fee you should make your offer contingent upon review of the financial documents
- that although it is in a particular city it is actually in a different school system than what you might think
- that there are common areas and green space
- that there is an old landfill nearby
- that there may be a gas/oil well going up n the future and that these decisions are made at the state level
- that there are city sewers and water, or not
- where the schools are located
- where the areas of worship are located
- who the mayor is
- what expansion projects might be in the works for the city
- that there is a gorgeous park nearby or a great golf course
- that the community center has an indoor and an outdoor pool
I'm sure many of you can add more to this list. My point is this: If had to move out of state I wouldn't care one iota if the agent used a GPS. I would be glad of it. I'd be much more interested in what he/she could tell me about the schools, the individual communities, and the commute to my office or to downtown.
I love my GPS. I feel safer using it both for myself and my clients.
If you would like to buy or sell a home in the southern communities of Cleveland Ohio, please call me at 440-263-7496, or you may want to visit my website for more specific information on the communities I service: Brecksville Ohio Real Estate, Broadview Heights Ohio Real Estate, North Royalton Ohio Real Estate Independence Ohio Real Estate, Seven Hills Ohio Real Estate, Parma Ohio Real Estate, Parma Heights Ohio Real Estate and Middleburg Heights Ohio Real Estate. Information is obtained from Neohrex (Northeast Ohio Real Estate Exchange) and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale, rental, or other status changes. All properties that are advertised as being listed or sold by Barb Szabo are in conjuntion with ReMax Trinity.
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