Search Activation Policy
- Adam Garrett
- Jun 20, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 29, 2024
In this article, I wanted to share my search activation policy, including how I typically won't activate searches without a face to face conversation and one of the top reasons why (catfish buyers).
I encourage almost all buyers to establish search(es) with me over Zoom or in person because those are best.
2. Why (With some exceptions detailed in other section below) I don't establish searches with buyers who initiate contact who I don't know & who are not being referred by someone I know prior to a video discussion.
There are 3 main reasons why I like to do video discussions with buyers prior to setting up searches for them, as legitimate buyers are best helped by that.
Legitimate buyers are best served by an initial face to face in person or video consultation, where they'll be able to learn more in less time, optimize their search more readily, and learn that which wouldn't be possible over the phone or over chat.
In addition, I get frequently targeted by catfish buyers, who pose as buyers but who are actually seeking to scam agents like myself. While no catfish buyer has ever stolen anything from me but time, any time wasted with a catfish buyer is time that is taken away from my assistance to legitimate buyers. For more details on catfish buyers, go to my article on the subject here.
There are also some buyers may already be working with another agent, but who want to get properties from other buyers' agents as well, never appropriately compensating them for doing so. They may reach out to and get searches from or listings from a dozen or more agents. Those buyers are less apt to want to join an in person or video based consultation, because if you're asking for a dozen searches from a dozen agents, it would simply take too long.
There are also some buyers who don't see the critical role that a buyer's agent plays beyond the search itself, wanting to do something DIY after getting an agent to put together a search for them, to essentially "use & abuse" the agent's time with no fair compensation. It's easier to use/abuse & take advantage of someone's time who you've never met face to face.
3. When I will make exceptions for a search prior to a video discussion
While it's best for all to do an in-person or (face-to-face with screen share from Adam's screen) Zoom session initially to establish searches, here are some examples where I don't require one of the 2 to start searches:
1. If I know someone personally
2. If referred by someone I know personally who knows them from prior in-person interaction
3. An email from a business, organization, university, or other entity website
that is not freely available to the public (i.e. I can email you from agarrett@garrettrealtypartners.com or 1 of 3 university accounts if you wish for me to do the same)
4. Share a pre-approval or proof of funds from an institution where I can verify the accuracy of that information with an email address specific to that institution or with a phone number that appears on that institution's website or that otherwise is publicly registered to that institution.
5. A contact from a well-established social media account with relatively public settings that has plenty of tagged pictures with other people on the same social media account who themselves have plenty of tagged pictures with others.
I.e. https://m.facebook.com/adambgarrett/
6. Share a typical website with your contact info.
I.e. both of the following showing my phone number and email
https://www.adambgarrett.com/contact
https://www.garrettrealtypartners.com/team/adam-garrett
7. Share a better business bureau listing that matches with your contact info if you are an investor.
8. Share a picture of your government-issued photo identification that has your current address information and an additional picture of you holding up your photo identification near your face where the photo ID is still relatively clear in the photo.
4. When I won't make exceptions for a search prior to a video discussion
1. Buyers who provide "documentation" which can easily be doctored or invalid, especially if I see signs of doctoring, blurry images, & invalid documentation like I've seen before.
2. Videos of the "buyer" talking about his desired home purchase with no mention of my name (since they could be sending the same video to 100's or thousands of agents)
3. "Business Emails" where the @__ portion doesn't actually lead to a live website or if the website it leads to has a low trust rating on https://www.scamadviser.com/
5. What if a buyer's English is such that they don't feel comfortable discussing things over audio?
I frequently receive this objection by catfish buyers. For legitimate buyers who feel this way, I would suggest that you seek out an agent who is able to serve you best by speaking your primary language. Here's an article I've written on the subject.
6. What if I'm in a different time zone?
It's not uncommon for me to serve clients on the other side of the world. I'm not limited to 9-5, and can stretch as early as 6 AM or as late as ending at 9 PM for an initial consultation. Here are my hours. That said, keep in mind that if my hours and yours wouldn't be conducive for an initial conversation, they likely won't be conducive for virtual showings if you plan on doing those. In addition, many homes will be unavailable between the hours of 9 PM-6 AM. In many cases due to agent settings, lock boxes can't even be opened during those hours.
7. More About Adam & His Virtual Showings
8. What if I Want to Work with Adam But Won't Abide by His Search Activation Policy?
If that's the case, while the search won't be as good typically as an MLS search, you can still get my recommendations on creating a search on Zillow.
9. What if I won't work with Adam because of his search activation policy?
The home purchase effort is a team effort, where not all buyer's or agent's requirements are the same. While not all agents request for face to face video, that is an important part of the standard operating procedures suggested to agents to avoid fraud, including by my state's association: https://virginiarealtors.org/2023/02/02/scam-alert-fraudulent-sellers-buyers/
Even if you'd prefer to not do video, I provide alternatives in this article in the "When I will make exceptions for a search..." section of this article.
If you're unwilling to abide by my search activation policy, & don't want to create a search on your own (i.e. on Zillow), here are some tips on finding another agent.
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