Just my two cents on why your house may not be moving ...

One of the questions, I believe, most sellers never ask their real estate agents when interviewing them for the job of marketing their home is, "if something happens, and you have your emergency, who is your backup?"

Think I'm kidding?

I have sent three sets of emails to two different email addresses along with voice mail messages to an agent. This agent also happens to own the franchise for that office.

Today, I decided to go online and write the violation to the real estate board and that agent called me back right away.

It took a complaint for me to get attention to get into the building. (the photo, by the way, is not the property in question.)

The property has been unavailable for two weeks because this agent is out of town.

I called the office and asked for the name of the backup and got no where.

I have backup and it is the same person, usually as she knows how I work my business and would keep it flowing should I become unavailable.

That did happen two years ago in April when I got the call to come home to Michigan because my Mom was in the hospital but the second part of the conversation was, "Barb, take your time and don't force the semi's off the road. Better yet, take the bus or Amtrak up and it will give you time to think." Nothing else was said and I assumed it wasn't going to be good news when I got to the hospital.

At this point, I already had backup but I called every one of my clients and informed them that I would be taking calls while I was up in Michigan and that if they had any concerns, that they could call me or text me and I would respond within an hour or sooner. The showings continued here in Michigan and I added the agents name to the MLS for alternate contact just in case.

Bottom is, while I am from a family that is third generation in real estate, I always leave my cell phone on because I want my clients to know I am there for them. I had backup but somebody just doesn't die everyday, especially your parent. I received calls and text messages as well during the whole time. My backup was right there in case I had to block out a couple of hours. I had a closing the same time we had the service for burying my Mom and yup, my cell went off with a text saying "emergency". While most would shrug, my Mom was probably laughing from Heaven because this was the way that her entire life went and yes, my Dad told me to go behind the limo and return the call. THE EMERGENCY: It was an issue that the bank was demanding more money from my client and there was no need for it. I talked to the attorney told him that the bank waived it, told him what piece of paper to look for and they closed.

I am thankful that Mom's service was only the family there as it was a private service, and out of respect for my Mom I was hoping we could wait but it couldn't. While this is extreme, I have heard agents negotiate while having labor pains.

Bottom is, you really need to know if the agent you hire is going to pick up the phone and set the appointments to show your home. I can't tell you how many times I and many other agents, who are listing agents but do work with buyers, find it frustrating to set up appointments to show homes and not get a response from the listing agent until like I had to do today, and report it to the MLS board and did get a response from the listing agent .... but it took two weeks to get in to the property because the agent was out of town!

While your property may be in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) doesn't mean that your agent is taking calls and setting appointments to get your home shown.

HINT: While I can see blocking out time for things like "baby nap time", you better make sure that your agent doesn't put in "no showings until after 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at "x" time. It's a sure way to send a signal that the seller may not be serious about selling or that your agent may not be available during the day.

Just my two cents on why your house may not be moving.