I want to be first if at all possible. I even offer to cancel all their other appointments after they sign.

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington When I first got into real estate, my broker always said to be the last one interviewed for a listing. It had some merit.

I think it does.

Impressive Debbie Reynolds! 

if they are interviewing an agent, I  would want to be last.... the information you share with them will be freshest in their minds

Paul,

There are all kinds of theories on this.  If you are first and have a great presentation, why would they not hire you?  And as Debbie Reynolds said they should cancel the rest of the appts.  A

I don't think it matters unless they are only talking to one agent.

I have not seen an advantage one way or another

I like the answer by Candice A. Donofrio 

if you have a "top shelf" presentation, it doesn't matter....if we're first, everyone else needs to meet or beat us.... if we're last, they had better have had a strong presentation.... that's the bottom line.... just be strong.

I've heard that also.  Personally I don't think it makes a difference.

I do not think it matters.

I would think that statistically like many things in life, that being first is best.

Paul,
What we do is different enough and compelling enough that I want to be first. If they do talk to one or two traditional listing appointments they call me back and list.

If the seller is going to interview more than one, I would like to be last.  I feel they would have the opportunity to ask me any questions they had from all the interviews and I will be the most helpful.  

Other than that I just do my best to secure the listing.  

I've only been on three appointments and got each. I'm sure the day will come where I get overlooked.. 

The majority of the times, it depends on who gets there first.

Paul, I really do not think it matters. If we make the connection and trust is there ... it's there no matter when we get to the seller.

You know not to sound conceited but when they call me and I walk in and do my presentation it's a wrap

Rarely is any other Realtor invited.  I'm pretty much guaranteed the listing when they call me.

Hard to say. Sometimes it's the first and only one who gets the deal in that the seller decides the agent appears to be a safe bet.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Or to follow up on that great conversation of the other day ( Roger D. Mucci ), it depends.

Does it really matter?

How one got to the dining room table is more important than when they got there.  

If the appointment was the result of some 'out of the blue' real estate by accident, I would want to be first.

For those you have previous association, it really a matter of 'your listing to lose' than a first or last issue.

Supposedly

 Good Friday morning Paul. I think first come first serve in most cases.

If you get there first you have an opportunity, anyone that follows may not get a chance.

Usually I'm the only one they call so I really can't say if being first matters.

I don't know.  I go on listing appointments to leave with the listing.

Personally,  when I was a client it was all in how the agent presented himself/herself regardless of if they were first or last.  

I am not sure. I think it depends onthe seller and the connection made by the first real estate professional.

I think it is more important to be honest and let them know your work ethic.

It depends on the seller, some times i am the first agent in and leave with a signed contract. Other sellers want to talk to 6 agents. Then whether 1st or last, your presentation needs to stand out

Sometimes, being the LAST one is best. If I really wanted the listing and knew there would be others . . . I'd ask to be last.

I believe that being first is probably the best, but I have no facts to back that up.

Paul - Considering most data shows that sellers will only interview one agent, I would say that being first is critical to getting the listing. If you know the seller is interviewing several agents, I would say it is best to be either first or last, as both have their advantages over being in any other position.

if you are hired on your merits it shouldn't matter

Based on a webinar that I watched with Verl Workman this week, it does matter, and matters a lot.

In my experience the listings I have gotten, I got there first.  Usually the seller seems to decide with the first one they meet.