Page 1 Advertisements Column 1

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33062, 1 November 1972, Page 1 (Supplement)

If its anything to do with Real Estate-Call RURIC HUNTER LTD M K E.I.N.Z. OFFICE PHONE 60999 For Courteous, Personal Service Don Dingwall . 50-149 Ed Kingen 896 788 Brian Murray 488-322

Reasons for care with addresses (By our property reporter) “The other day I rang several real estate agents to inquire about homes for sale. They offered to take me to look at the properties but would not tell me the addresses over the telephone so I could have a look for myself. Why was this?” asks Mrs M., of Papanui, in an inquiry to “The Press” real estate advice service.

Probably the best way to answer this is to suggest that people think of the matter “in reverse.” When a property is listed with an agent to sell, the owner usually asks that buyers be brought to inspect the home at certain times of the day. If there are young children to be put to sleep in the evening, if the wife works and is out for much of the day, if the husband is on shift work, or there is an invalid in the family — for these or many other reasons the owner is entitled to consideration and understanling. i Inconsiderate People who ask for addresses over the telephone should ask themselves how they would like to have innumerable strangers at all hours going back and forth past the gate or stopp’ng to stare. It is upsetting for the family and neighbours, and inconsiderate. A real estate agent has an obligation to the property owner to be co-operative and helpful, and people who ask too much on the phone are —probably unintentionallytrying to make the agent act improperly. Which is not a fair thing to do. “Mean well” Asked about this, a Real Estate Institute member with long years of experience said that "people often promise faithfully over the telephone not to go to the door and ask to be shown through without the agent present. But however good their intentions, it never seemed to work out this way. “They may mean well,” he said, “yet they probably get carried away. They don’t realise how difficult they make it for the owner—and for me. “Clients prefer to be rung first, or at least to have the agent come to the door and give them a few minutes notice before bringing a buyer through. “I was caught out a couple of times by telephone inquirers when ! was first in the business—and I soon learnt a lesson.

"Neither I nor any other agent I know will give addresses over the phone." Waste of time He also made the point that looking at only the outside of a home is a waste of time; often outside appearances are misleading and would-be buyers can easily miss seeing through a home which would be most suited to their requirements. The trite old saying that “you cannot judge a book by its cover” certainly applies with properties, as you will soon discover if you are looking for a home. Chance missed A main part of a real estate agents’s duties is to show people the houses he has on his books—and the buyer is not put under any obligation. So do not ask to see properties on your own: it would be a waste of time, and you would miss the opportunity to gain free, expert advice from the agent.