The Columbus MLS just changed how COMING SOON listings can be advertised.
This has a major impact on your home search. It forces buyers to schedule showings weeks in advance and make home buying even more competitive.
What Is a COMING SOON Listing?
The “Coming Soon” designation is used for properties that will become available for sale in 30 days or less, but are not ready to show, yet.
“Coming Soon” has become a popular way for Realtors to market homes and generate interest for new listings.
While a home is listed as “Coming Soon” the listing agent, or the homeowner are not allowed to show the property to potential buyers.
Why COMING SOON Makes Your Home Search Unpredictable
“Coming Soon” has been a great marketing strategy for sellers, but it makes your home search more difficult.
As soon as a “Coming Soon” property appears on the MLS, buyers will schedule showings.
Due to Covid, many sellers do not allow overlapping showings. They ask you to schedule in 15-30-minute blocks to get in.
On popular listings, all available time slots will be taken quickly, often a month ahead of the listing becoming active.
Will You Have a Chance to See the Listing?
Even with showings booked solid for days, some Realtors and their sellers will take the first offer they get.
Although you secured an appointment long before the listing became active on the MLS, the listing agent may cancel an hour before your showing because they already accepted an offer.
That sucks – but it’s up to the seller to accept an offer or not.
I don’t endorse this approach and would never recommend my clients take their listing off the market before all potential buyers have seen the property.
Your Best Strategy for Securing a Showing
The most important part of buying a home in today’s competitive sellers’ market is to be prepared and ready to take action.
Based on the search criteria you gave me; you will now receive all “Coming Soon” listings in your inbox.
If a “Coming Soon” listings meets your criteria we need to schedule a showing as soon as possible. Your chance of seeing the property is much better if you get one of the first showing slots available.
Unfortunately, you may still get beaten by a desperate buyer making a curb offer sight unseen. It will take patience and perseverance to find your dream home this spring! I am here to help!
Are you ready to start house hunting? Call or Text me Today at (614) 975-9650.