In
all the years I've sold Atlanta real
estate I've found nothing is
more chilling than to call for information on a listing and not
being able to contact the listing agent
for more information about a property. It is occuring more than ever in
this current real estate market, and I really think it is totally
unacceptable for all. My first thoughts are "What would occur if there
was an emergency?"
When we contact the listing agent we are doing more than
following protocol for appointments, showings, and asking
information. The listing agent under the law has a fiduciary
to their clients and represent their needs alone. Even if the
seller was not represented under agency, there are just some items we
need to contact to contact them for. Many listings today do
not have proper lock boxes, and we need codes to enter the
property. The codes more often than not are not listed on MLS
listings. A buyers agent may also want to check availability,
appointment only, showing instructions, disclosures, time frames and
ask of seller preferences if they are preparing a contract to
purchase. There is no worse feeling than calling the listing
agent only to hear the message ..."I am currently on vacation, and I
will return all calls when I return 20, days (Whatever time frame
applies) from now....ad nauseum!"
I often wonder did anyone ever tell the lame agent that they could have their broker or another agent cover for them? Did they consider the possibility that they would actually deter other agents from trying to contact them? Does the seller even know this is not how it has to be? If I were a broker, I would personally discharge the agent from being affiliated with my firm, and assign the listing to another agent if the seller agreed.
I often wonder did anyone ever tell the lame agent that they could have their broker or another agent cover for them? Did they consider the possibility that they would actually deter other agents from trying to contact them? Does the seller even know this is not how it has to be? If I were a broker, I would personally discharge the agent from being affiliated with my firm, and assign the listing to another agent if the seller agreed.
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Yes. I totally agree--and as a listing agent I have not gone on vacation in forever:-) But, I am working on it--working on finding a replacement so I can take a vacation!
My all time favorite though was the active listing that knew there was no key in the lockbox. My buyer was so determined they eventually found it in the doorframe-----great moment, although it would have been much easier had they key be in the box.
You're not alone!
Understand the frustration -- but at some point everyone needs a break and time off -- life does take over and people do take breaks. It is frustrating , but just a part of life.
When I or my broker go on vacation, we cover each other if our Blackberries don't work in the areas we are visiting. We make sure that buyer's agents can reach us. I have a small list of agents I will rarely, if ever call again, because they are too busy. Don't let that happen to you. We keep our clients safe from missing a listing appointment. You never know who might be writing or watching!
OR - How about this. You call the agent and the message says they are on vacation for the next two weeks, so call "Suzie Q", she is covering for me while I'm gone.
Now, I call "Suzie Q" and she is also on vacation...4 hours away... She in turn tells me to call their office and make an appointment with someone in the office...concluding with - don't worry, it's on a SUPRA key.
UGH!
A recent settlement the listing agent was on vacation. Only told the sellers the night before. They were very unhappy and then the covering agent showed up 30 minutes late and didn't have some of the paperwork we needed. My buyers were happy but I don't think the listing agent will be seeing any referals in the near future.
My pet peeve is the agent who is too afraid to put in the closing instructions the phone number of the owner or the number to call for an appointment. I got a very annoyed call from an agent wanting to show one of our office's listings. The call came to my house. I asked him what the instructions for showing said. "Call office for appointment." The listing agent was not findable. I had the same MLS info that he did. The office was closed.
Well, Duh, agents! Think! If the office is closed and the info is only available at the office, you have handicapped all of the associates from the office who would be willing to help with appointments. BUT, not enough to drive to the office after hours to arrange for someone to show HIS listing.
Jim:
In some markets banks and other institution give their listings to agents that are not in the market area and take it at a reduced rate and don't care. I wonder if they realized what penny wise dollar foolish meant.
Richard
Whenever I read stuff like this I always wonder if the seller actually knows everything that is going on.
Jim, If you want to go on vacation, make sure your client's are covered period...
Ugh, happened to me yesterday. I tried to call to set up a showing on Sat for Sunday.
She finally called back at 4 and told me she was "up North" and didn't have cell coverage.
Oh, we did have a open house today.
Do you think it was weird she called me 15 minutes after the open house?
Christa LaFarlette (Keller Williams First Coast Realty) Too bad it is a common complaint, and should not have to happen at all.
Bob & Carolin Benjamin - E Phoenix Arizona Real Estate (Benjamin Realty LLC) Everyone does need a break, but a month out of the country without having a stand in is unacceptable for anyone that is representing a client, and views them-self as a professional.
Suzanne McLaughlin (Sabinske & Associates, Inc.) Well said!
Karen Monsour,REALTOR® Broward,Palm Beach,Miami/Dade! 954-464-4194 anytime! (Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach) Sounds like my typical day in real estate in Atlanta.
Jim it doesn't suprise me any more. I call agents for information and am lucky to get an answer. Agents never call me for feedback when I show their listing. I am only calling them with a question or a contract. Otherwise they can call me.
Cindy Jones-Northern Virginia Real Estate & Military Relocation Services (RE/MAX Allegiance #1 RE/MAX Company in the World) Sometimes the agent covering has no expereince, no details, and is out to lunch. I have had this happen more than once. I do wonder how these folks get any business whatsoever.
Barbara S. Duncan ABR, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR (RE/MAX Advantage) There was a sign I called in front of an active listing, and all the numbers were disconnected. The company is closed and the agents phone numbers are all dead. BTW the email bounced also! The sign was still in front of the home the last time I looked, and the listing is showing ACTIVE!
Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates) A friend of mine that specializes in foreclosures and bank owned told me the banks are only paying him a flat fee! Can anyone spell "C-U-S-T-O-M-E-R---N-O---S-E-R-V-I-C-E?
Mark MacKenzie Real Estate Planning A lot of the time they do know the performance is less than stellar. A common occurrence is that the listing agent is a relative or a supposed close friend from church.
Paul Henderson, Realtor ® Lacey & Dupont Washington homes (RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.) Amen! I am with you Paul!
Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) Missy, some agents are just "Out to lunch" permanently!
John Walters Slidell Real Estate Slidell Louisiana Homes (Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC) The sad thing is that professionalism is dead, and this is most probably the "New Normal!"
Jim,
Usually my sister and I do not vacation at the same time. Our partnership works well that way.
We had a once in a lifetime chance to go to Ireland two years ago. We had deals pending and listings. (Our broker was useless by the way and wanted to charge us a fee is he stepped in)
We worked out a deal with an agent we trusted in our office. Multiple times a day we went to Internet cafes to touch base. We got messages on our cell phones so if a client wanted to contact us we could immediately forward that to the agent who was covering.
Everything worked very smoothly. No disasters. There is no excuse to run other agents through hoops. Who do you think stands the greatest possibility of selling your listing?
Hi, Jim
I agree...I just do not understand some real estate agents. Here in our office we do take vacations..in fact I will be leaving for the beach soon, but I have an agent, who I trust to do all my transactions while I am gone and of course my phone is my office and it WILL be at my side...
Tinker
Bonnie Vaughan (Century 21 Sherlock Homes,Inc) To me that is a great way to enjoy Ireland! Your broker is the first broker I heard that would charge a fee to look after your listings. Wow! The difference is that you are responsible. Many agents are not. When we leave town, we do so unannounced and either take the listing files with us, and have our contracts, and disclosures all on line, and we also use GOTOMYPC.COM and take a laptop with us. These agents? They do not even answer their phones.
Tinker Hulsey Century 21 Indian Realty Jonesboro Ark (Century 21 Indian Realty) I think that is perfectly acceptable. Enjoy yourself,and do not forget to wear sun block!
Jim,
That's pretty wild. In this real estate market it just might be to the listing agent's benefit to have someone cover when he/she decides to take time off. What can you do?
Like you've said before Jim, we are business people running a business and must follow reasonable practices to ensure a high-level of coverage for all our clients and our peers that are helping us sell our client's homes. John
Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (Mortgage Consultant) I think some agents are just play at 'real estate!'
Alexander-Slocum REMAX Team - Vancouver WA Real Estate (RE/MAX equity group, inc. - Vancouver Washington) It takes a team...especially when you list homes in the MLS.
Jim - I work in a rather small office, but we are very close, and any time someone needs coverage because they will be out of town, on vacation, etc., we all step up and help. There never should be an instance when another agent or buyer calls on a listing and they can't get anyone to answer or any response. It's just unprofessional and inconsiderate of others trying to do their job. Plus it only hurts your business as you may have sold a listing if you would have just answered your call, or had someone cover for you.
Troy Erickson - Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Phoenix, AZ and East Valley Team (Terra Solis Realty, LLC) Troy, you are so right. It is called professionalism. Most offices used to do what you do...in the last few years real estate has been flooded with new practitioners that do not know how to conduct their business.