CHICKEN OR EGG?

Here's another question requested by a follower...

When dealing with inquiries, should the listing broker share the exact unit/address first, or should the buyer/tenant's broker register their client?

A - Address first

B - Register first

C - It depends...

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Poll Results are In!

An overwhelming majority (60%) believe that brokers should register their buyer or tenant before the listing broker provides the address. Meanwhile, 27% said it depends, and 13% said the address should be provided first.

My Thoughts on This...

I understand why the majority prefer brokers to register their clients first. Revealing the property address prematurely can be risky. Once the tenant or buyer’s broker knows the address, they could potentially contact the owner directly.

However, registering clients seems less risky because reaching out to the client directly would be more challenging unless the client has a unique name and a public social media presence.

One issue with registering clients is the potential for false information. Brokers might register a client under a pseudonym or partial name, making it difficult for the listing broker to verify. For instance, a broker might simply provide "Mr. Tan" to maintain privacy. If pressed for more details, these clients might seek out another broker willing to respect their privacy.

The main point is this: the order of registration doesn’t matter much. If a buyer or tenant's broker intends to circumvent the listing broker, they will find a way regardless of whether they register their client first.

The key is in the broker's reputation. Instead of getting caught up in this debate, we should focus on gathering feedback about the broker’s trustworthiness. People are always willing to share their experiences, especially negative ones.

As I've said before, it's the usual names.