For real estate agents, Sunday is the new Monday

GUEST OBSERVATION

It didn’t really hit me how many consumers take advantage of your non-traditional shopping institutions on a Sunday, until I just walked past a bank that’s open for trading.

I have been saying for a while now that Sundays has become the norm for some real estate offices to remain open. I have on many occasions held open home inspections on a Sunday both to: cater for the possible buyers that work on a Saturday and also due to the level of interest in the property.

At all times trying to achieve the most for the vendor, by allowing and accommodating for the “dream buyer” to come through.

Sundays is my new Monday I banter around the office and share with industry colleagues, as more and more of them seem to also have open house inspections on Sundays. This I believe to be truer with the independent offices rather than the franchise groups.

I do, however, recall working Sundays many years ago, with a RE/MAX office where I was employed. Different market conditions, in fact it was very flat.

The reason was not dissimilar to this hot property market, it was simply trying to accommodate for the ideal buyer. The buyer that would pay more but needed more time to inspect.

My surprise today, was nonetheless to see a bank open on a Sunday, and full for that matter; I counted at least five tellers serving and all busy.

Is this the changing landscape for commercial institutions that are predominantly centred in and around property?

What next, will we see conveyancing offices and law firms also opening up on a Sunday? 

On the one hand it does make sense if you want to maintain market share. On the other hand, make hay whilst the sun shines and get in early, especially with the record sales presently being reported.  

EDWIN ALMEIDA is managing partner and licensee-in-charge of Just Think Real Estate.