Incomplete and inaccurate listings in the MLS may be costing you the sale.

It is amazing that in the current market after the shake-up we had, we are still dealing with agents who should be doing other things than selling real estate. These agents are sloppy and enter incomplete and inaccurate info in the MLS and wonder why the property is still sitting with little showings. Their incompetence and carelessness is also costing the seller who will be forced to reduce price because their agent is telling them it is the market... This is clearly an ethical violation that could be grounds for a complaint, fine, and even a civil lawsuit from the seller. The typical errors and omissions I see in the MLS are:

- one or no photo. For god's sake how do you expect the buyer's agent or their buyers to select your listing for a showing when there are many other listings with beautiful pictures. Show both the exterior and interior. There are photographers who will do the job for $100 or less today. This is a real shame as I see many listings above the million dollar mark without pictures.

- photos of views taken from extreme angles. Please, don't hang your camera at 90 degrees from the balcony and say that the condo has "Stunning Ocean Views". Show the real thing...

- inaccurate number of bedrooms, bathrooms, garage, pool, and parking. When buyer's agents are searching they use those criteria. If the home has a den, indicate that in the description if your MLS does not have a field for it. Get sloppy on these fields and it can cost you showings and the sale.

- inaccurate or missing square footage for the living and gross area. This is huge. Please estimate it if you must. But usually the assessor, a prior appraisal, or sometimes even an old survey or archtectural plans can help. In condos, this is the easiest info to get from managers, residents, fellow resident agents, previous listings.... If my buyer says she wants a 2,000sf min house and there are over 50 listings, I am plugging in that criteria in my search. Too bad for the sloppy agent.

- special features like any amenities, security, views...

- equity membership and dues required. Please, not every buyer's agent knows that your golf community requires every new resident to spend $25,000 or $100,000 plus $700/month dues for the privilege of living there. If a membership is required check that in the MLS and give all info.

- age restriction. Another big one. If the community is 55+, check that. Nothing more annoying than having to explain to a young buyer why you sent them the listing in the first place and why you cannot show it.

- assessments and HOA/COA dues. It takes TWO minutes to get these amounts from owners or management. It is not the job of the buyer's agent to call one third of the listing agents to ask for and relay the info to their buyers.

- wrong zip, geo area, or area number... This is pretty bad if the correct are code or zip code puts you in a more desirable area or school district. I have seen agents list under the wrong city (even in million dollar plus properties).

- no directions or worse something like "see google" or "mapquest.com". Now that is lazy.

- inaccurate property status. Please update the listing as pending/contingent asap. Not a pleasant position to have to tell my buyers that the property has been under contract for 2 months and that the listing agent is a bad apple.

Simply put, do your job as a real estate professional, please proof your listings...