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I'm always amazed that the sellers put up with it Jim!  Aren't they paying attention?  We always send our sellers a copy of the MLS summary to make corrections. 

We see it all the time in our MLS! It makes you wonder if their agent has been sleeping for the past 6 months. Good post.

This is so sad that the unsuspecting seller has hired such an unprofessional person, but it happens all over we just make it too easy for anyone to be an agent.

 

I guess it goes against my grain as a person that perhaps we grew up in a different day and age where service and doing the right thing really mattered!  We lived our lives as though someone was keeping score.  We were going to be held accountable for our actions, and judgement passed!  LOL! It doesn't seem to be the case with these agents!  Obviously it is like watching a reality TV show "When things go really bad in surgery!" 

My comments were just a few of the mundane observations.  There are more severe ommissions where lapses in common sense prevail.  I've seen interior home photos with a rebel flag plastered on the wall ( HELLO - ever heard of equal housing opportunity!)  I mean these are the people we do not need in the ranks of real estate professionals.  Where is the broker?  Playing golf?

If we take a look at this another way, someone could really make a case for a lawsuit.  Thousands of agents viewing the MLS system know you hired an idiot on life supports - and someone already pulled the plug!  I mean come on folks, with IDX their mistake is broadcast to other agents / broker sites a thousand fold! Exponentially stupid! The only problem is that you cannot ethically approach the seller to notify them of the infractions, errors, ommissions, and neglect. It's like the phrase "You don't have a chance of a snowball in hell to sell your home!"

I toured a very nice home the other day that on teh MLS had only one exterior photo and some very  minimal descriptive elements - and this is a mid-level to premium listing in our area! The nice thing about MLS is it allows the consumer to shop from their desks at work or at home... but only if agents take advantage of this very useful and powerful tool!

It's not just the MLS, it's the overall professionalism.  A few months ago I showed 5 properties in the $2 million + range. 4 had black & white copies of the MLS and 1 had no materials at all - and they weren't new to the market. 

It is incredible!  I mean what are they thinking or not thinking?  I like to look at upper end homes online, and what is just as neglectful is to place a million dollar home or multi million dollar homes in the MLS without any photos or just 1 photo, and no virtual tour!  Is that a crime or what?

I just turn them in now, since our MLS rules require updates within 72 hours.  Nothing ticks me more when running comps than to find a pending listing that's been under contract for two years...fine 'em, i say!

I forgot about those! LOL!  It's been under contract for a month,and still showing active!  Or better yet, it closed last year and is still active or pending.  6 months later!

We've had several listings that did not sell during their previous agreement, and the very first thing we go over is the MLS sheet.  It always amazes us that the owner has usually never even seen it before. 

Jim,

I have seen million dollar listings like that...so shabbily done you wonder why the agent is still working for that client......

It is such a shame that there are agents out there who are so lazy they neglect the basics of marketing....an excellent showing listing will sell FASTER!!!

=-D

I find the agent often mirrors the seller.  There's been a house on market at the same price for many months.  When the seller isn't willing to change the price and the agent knows it is not going to sell at this price, the agent loses hope and his efforts show it.

Our MLS does fine for not keeping a home's status up to date.  They also won't let us put in an entry without the tax information.  I must admit, I do like to use photos of houses without snow.  It's easier to see all the details when they aren't covered by snow - maybe I should rethink that move - Sherry

The comments are all fantastic!  There is only one scarier scenario!  The property is "Agent Owned!"  Physician heal thyself!

My favorite is the home listed For Rent entered in the "For Sale" section.  Or, the home listed For Sale entered in the For Rent section.

I also love the comment. "This one will sell FAST."  entered 11 months ago.

I'm convinced that only 10% of agents actually READ their listing after entering or having entered.

Nice post.

Lenn, Homefinders.com

I forgot about those!  Even the ""This one will sell FAST."  and "Better Hurry!"  You think that some of these agents would actually lift a finger to make a minor change.  It won't make them break out in a sweat!  However, see how quick they get to a closing or to the bank to cash the commission check!

By the way, I love your website!  I never put 2 and 2 together that you are the "Lenn Harley of www.Homefinders.com" 

Thanks Lenn

I've always wondered how agents like this stay in business.  Lenn has a good point.  I've listed a lot of homes this month and I've read all of them, and my assistant has read them, and my secretary!  Hopefully, by the time it goes to press, we very seldom find mistakes.

So, a home is on the market for a while "Don't miss this one!!!" and the Seller moves out.

MLS says "Vacant," and all the furnishings and other personal possessions are in the photos.

Cold the agent at least go out and shoot a few new photos with the old camera phone?

Nah that is too much trouble! Better yet it says "VACANT" and it is not by any stretch of the imagination. and you walk into a home that looks like it is staged, and the seller steps out of the shower and is not amused.  They threaten to call the police! That is one of those days you say. "Why me God?"

Great Post, How about the agents who forget to put the propertry  in pending status o  better yet ,list a property and in the remarks it says  " no showings for 30 days at sellers request "

Yes to all of the above.  I took a listing a couple of years ago the owner had purchased some 3 years prior.  The last listing agents lock box was still on the water pipe, no way to remove it, the listing agent never even responded to the new owners many requests to remove it.  Now at roughly $85 a pop for the lock boxes I have to wonder, what the heck was he thinking?

When I am browsing the MLS, I bypass the listings with no pictures, what is the point?  If there is nothing left to show on the market I would consider revisiting them.  Lazy agents.  The MLS should require pictures to enter a listing.

Hi Jim I enjoyed the post. There are so many examples of the neglected listing... This agent still had a grey haired listing with a 2002 number and this one used pictures that didn't match the description. In the past, I've also questioned agents that don't use pictures properly.  

I love that we talk about this stuff because we all see it, all the time. Most of us control our listings electronically... It's not like we used to do it... sending in a written change order.. sending the MLS photograher out to change the one picture... These days it only takes a few seconds to tweak a listing...

moo

Angus, I've enver heard of a listing that long.  I thought 2 years was the record here in Atlanta, not  counting the withdrawns, expireds, and re-lists.  Wrong photos after neutralizing is another one that I forgot.  That is extremely damaging to the seller.  I also know of  one case where a person purchased teh wrong property, from the Internet I'm sure!  Those agents should be sued.  As far as no photos, it is inexcuasable these days especially with IDX and broker reciprocity. I wrote an article about photos and virtual tours for http://www.realtrytimes,com/  That is another pet peeve of mine. bot as an agent and potential consumer. "Make Full Use Of Internet Marketing With Listing Photos and Virtual Tours"

While I am thinking about it!  Another one that I just  came across in MLS limbo was "Ask about our holidays special pricing, and year end incentives!"  I mean is this agent on the ball?