Three Mistakes to Avoid When Showing A Hill Country Ranch For Sale

Mistake #1 – Not Previewing the Property

As a real estate agent, we have all done it. We have added a property to our list of showings on short notice and it’s a ranch we haven’t shown before. While this shouldn’t be a problem if the listing broker or agent has done his homework, it can be a total waste of time for the buyer and his agent. Recent rains can make ranch roads impassable, there can be locked gates, where they were supposed to be no locks, or the terrain can be so rough, you can’t see most of the property. An experienced listing agent or broker can advise a buyer’s agent as to what to expect, but some listing brokers from out of the area who don’t usually sell land can be clueless. They put up a sign and that’s the last time they saw the place. They can’t advise another agent if they never have seen most of the property themselves.

Mistake #2 – Wrong Vehicle

As you can imagine, an agent or broker unfamiliar with ranch property will have no idea to ask about what type of vehicle they need to best show the property. Some ranches may have good internal roads, but for that second or third showing, the buyer wants to see every inch of the fence lines. That is where having a UTV or a four wheel drive pickup truck, already well broken in, is necessary. My vehicles already have the scratches, a few more won’t make a difference.

Mistake #3- Not Being Prepared for Questions

It is so much easier for the buyers to have their questions answered, when possible, during the showing by the agent or broker. Use the maps (if provided, and they should be) by the listing agent. Give them a pen to mark on the listing sheets any questions to be researched and answered later. Sometimes the listing description isn’t correct. Also, if they have a pen and a map, they can mark where they found a nice homesite.

When a buyer can write down their thoughts and questions as they arise, it keeps them focused on looking at the ranch for sale, and give them notes to review later.

By giving a great showing and keeping buyers (and their buyer’s agent) organized, I want to potential buyers to be excited, not overwhelmed and confused, when choosing a ranch to buy in the Texas Hill Country. This way, I expect a buyer to be one step closer to making an offer on your ranch for sale.

If you would are considering selling your ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas, Gillespie County or the surrounding area, I look forward to talking to you! Call or email me and let me get to work on listing your ranch!