What to Do When Your Real Estate Agent Is Out of Town
One of my readers reached out this morning because they were feeling guilty. Their agent had let them know a few weeks ago that they would be out of town this week and might not be as responsive as usual. During that time, two homes came on the market that the buyers were very interested in seeing. They are really conflicted with what to do when their agent is out of town.
They scheduled a showing through one of the online real estate portals but started to feel uncomfortable. They felt guilty for two reasons. First, they thought they might be “cheating” on their agent by working with someone else while their agent was away. Second, they felt bad about taking up the time of the online agent when they had no intention of using that agent to write an offer.
This is actually a very common situation, and the solution is much simpler than most buyers realize.
Communicate With Your Agent
If your agent is out of town and you find a home you want to see, the best thing to do is contact your agent directly. Even if they are traveling, they will usually have a plan in place for these situations. A quick text or email is often all it takes. Let them know you understand they are away, but you do not want to miss the opportunity to see the property.
Most agents have colleagues in their office who cover for them when they are unavailable. In my own career, I often swapped coverage with fellow agents. If I was on vacation, they helped my clients, and I returned the favor when they were away. This is very common in the business.
Why This Matters
When your agent arranges the showing through one of their trusted colleagues, it benefits you in two ways. First, you avoid any awkwardness about working with an unfamiliar agent you do not intend to hire. Second, your agent remains fully in the loop and can continue to guide you through the process without gaps in communication.
Be Proactive
If you know in advance that your agent will be away, ask them how they would like you to handle showings during that time. This way, you already know who to contact, and you will not feel the stress of scrambling if the perfect home comes on the market while your agent is unavailable.
Final Thought
Feeling guilty in this situation is natural, but unnecessary. The best solution is simple communication. Your agent is there to help, even if they are away, and they likely already have someone lined up to cover for them.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, reach out to your agent first before scheduling with someone else. And if you need help buying or selling real estate, I would be happy to answer your questions and connect you with a trusted broker in your area.
