Do YOU know what your agent is doing?

I know exactly what you mean.  Sometimes I think that disallowing us to talk to other agents clients (the non-poaching rule) is more for the benefit of weak agents than for any sort of protection of consumers. 

In the Dallas Metroplex, most real estate agents use a showing service, hang a lock box on the door, and don't have to let you in.

Look on the bright side - when the listings expire in Orlando from lack of showings, you'll be able to pick them up!

LANE - it is simply not in the sellers' interests

LORRIE - some owners insist the listing agent lets you in - particularly true on higher end properties

MATT - sounds like a good rule. Most agents here actually hold back an owners name from the MLS which is really dumb considering it is right there on tax records.

Very true, I know a lot of agents in our area that I hear complaints on a daily basis, no return calls no show for meetings etc. I am currently working with clients right now that had bad experiences with local agents they are from Indiana need to find something in 15 days, showed up at two offices one the agent failed to show up for the meeting and the second office the agent said she needed to have 24 hours notice on all listing to show and to come back on Monday and this was a Friday. they drove 2 hours to get to her office unbelievable. the ones that really amazes me are the listings that have expired their agent has had it listed for over 2 years still haven't sold it but are going to stick with that agent til it sells what are they going to be doing different that they haven't done in the last two years I don't know

Allen - my previous blog entry was all about raising the bar! veery well said and thanks for your comments.

It is pretty amazing what we come across in this business. Always a new story about other agents..

I also think a lot of sellers aren't interested in selling their homes unless they get full price or close.

Simon, Some things and people never change. My question is, why don't sellers hold their agent accountable? If an agent is hired to do a job then no matter the excuse, they should do the job. If that means asking the seller to allow a lock box for emergency situations then so be it as long as the seller knows their agent is doing things in their best interest. Somehow here I think we may be preaching to the choir but perhaps sellers monitor this type of post and will read and it will help them make a more informed decision when hiring an agent.

It is very frustrating that the Seller's aren't being properly represented.  It's also embarassing to be turned down or away when trying to show a Buyer a home.  But in the end, keep doing the right things and we will be rewarded!

Al - not always my point - this is about badly represented sellers more than other agents.

John - that is up to the agent to educate the seller and also to turn down listings from unrealistic sellers

Judy - you pose an interesting question

Leah - frustrating is an understaement!

I completely automated my showing instructions a few years ago.  I found out that the #1 phone call I received at the office was a request for showing instructions from other Realtors.  Having many agents and over 200 listings, there is no way I can keep track of the showing instructions for each property unless I or my assistant are sitting at a computer when the phone rings.  So I put all of my showing instructions in the MLS.  I love the new ShowingTime feature.  All the showing info is right there in the computer for any agent to read.

For sellers who don't like lockboxes, I make sure to tell them that they better keep their cell phone glued to their hip and answer it when I call.  Otherwise they may just lose out on the sale of their house.  Many Realtors are lazy (like myself) and if the listing is difficult to show they will just skip it altogether.

As for the overpriced listings, those Realtors apparently are bored and have nothing better to do with their time than fool with a listing that will never sell.  My rule as of about 2 years ago is that if the seller will not list at the price I recommend (or agree to reduce their price after 2-3 weeks), that I will turn down the listing.  I would rather focus my energy on something productive than waste my time on a listing that will never sell.

That's such a sad situation. Do agents realize this colors the whole view of the home?

I totally agree with you. But that is why discount real estate is going by the way side. We need real professionals out there doing the professional thing. It makes our life much easier and the buyers and sellers will appreciate it too.

Simon,

This is a common occurance in our market as well. It's so frustrating when you have a client ready to commit to a home and you can't get into them to see them. I would never let the owner open the door to a $500K listing without me being there. How sad.

ROB - there is a price point in the market where sellers insist the listing agent is there for all showings. These are the people who no showed for me yesterday.

LINDSEY - well one thing is for sure  -  the sellers have no idea what is going on

ANDREW - I know.

How can an agent push around some people
who will be making him over $10,000 in commissions??!!??

I say that agent needs a NEW job.... and NOT
in real estate.....

Agents that show no respect of the business OR the clients
and other real estate professionals out there need to check
thier attitude or just check out.....

And that's the truth...PPPhhhtttt!!!!

=-)

I don't normally list those high end houses.  I have shown plenty of high 5 figure houses (600-800K) and rarely had a listing agent ask to meet me at the house.  I can understand that though.  I remember showing a 2 million dollar house on the Butler Chain a few years ago and the listing agent did show us around.

I've had that happen here at times. It's frustrating to say the least. I've had it happen during the inspections. They follow you around. Now THAT'S frustrating for the buyer and their realtor alike.

I have to agree. But on the other hand, when an agent calls on my listing at 5 PM on a saturday and wants to see it in an hour, that is tough for me to accomplish and for the seller to be ready. Some agents have figured out you need to set an appt. in advance!

Thanks for all the comments people. I am sorry that I have been too busy to answer everyone individualy which I like to do.

I am shocked by how little some seller's agents are doing to help their sellers.  I had one agent insist it was not important to remove more than 3 feet of snow -- we had to hike through the snow -- and found a trashed home (not disclosed!).  It was a horrible experience for me and for the buyer -- what a waste of time!

Well we don't have the snow problem here, but finding a home trashed is not uncommon.

I'm not sticking up for anyone but it can discouraging trying to sell a knowingly overpriced listing.

Seller's have to disclose right?   Well it's too bad that we can't give full disclosure back to the seller about their agents and lack of interest in selling their homes.  It happens to me all the time and many other agents I know.  This does not seem fair to the Seller.  NAR needs to investigate this and put something in place that will make Seller's Agents accountable to the Seller.  Maybe the answer isn't to contact the seller directly, but rather to have a reporting system with NAR and have them inform the seller of any complaints. 

VANESSA - it happens on all types of listings - to me anyway.

TERRI - NAR isn't interested. It is just interested in increasing membership and therefore money.