Noelle Stevens

As a twelve year veteran of the real estate profession, a top producer in one of the toughest cities in America (Chicago) and a serious pro, I have to say...I just don't get it.

In my previous life (which involved a successful, six figure career) in Chicago, I was taught to SELL. We never used a lockbox or a Supra. I personally attended every showing as a listing agent, and I represented my seller clients with Die Hard tenacity. I sold homes in the dead of winter, nine months pregnant...you get the idea.

So here's where it gets confusing for me...how in the world do listing agents in the state of Wisconsin, specifically in the South Central Wisconsin area (since that's where I practice now), get away with charging 6% commission, yet completely and utterly FAIL to service the client???

It gets worse.

I have several listings, not on lockboxes. I attend every showing. Today, I actually had a "buyers agent" ask me to leave. I had the unfortunate, frustrating experience of sitting in the driveway of my listing, while the buyer and his agent spent 25 inside a home they have never seen. I was asked to allow the agent and client to view the home alone and was never given a chance to highlight the features and benefits of the property.

I feel as if I might be better off quitting my job and spending my days buying lottery tickets. Really, there isn't much difference here. I have no control whatsoever over the outcome of any showings on my listings. Worse yet, the buyers agents here seem to think they are better off without a knowledgeable, experienced salesperson on the other side of the deal. I cannot give my clients feedback, since I am not welcome during the showings and have no idea whether the property is all wrong or just right for the buyer. I can't ask the buyer to buy, when his agent is too inexperienced to do so. I can't address questions, issues, repairs and improvements and offers if I'm not there. I can't speak to the neighborhood, schools or ammenities either.

In my former life, as a SUCCESSFUL realtor, we understood that agents worked together. Bringing buyers and sellers together to create a win-win was the point! I worked hard, back in the day...Many weekends were spent with showings booked from AM till PM and offers were written into the wee hours. If a newer agent with little experience brought a buyer to my listings, I was happy to close the buyer!

It is no surprise to me to see so many listings languishing on the market, here. Sellers have no idea what kind of nonsense is happening in our industry. If they did, I am certain they would rethink the 6% commission. What does a sellers agent do??? Write up a listing agreement, enter a property into the MLS and wait for an offer???

I cannot accept the rock bottom, bare minimum mentality here. Can't buyer and seller agents work together? Someone...please explain WHY we are not working together?

This brings me to my final question....Do we really NEED a listing broker anymore? I have been offering Flat Fee MLS and FSBO marketing for some time now, and I really believe (based on what I've seen) that there is no reason on earth to hire and pay a listing broker anymore. The prevailing mentality here is: put a lockbox on it and wait. Is that really worth 3%???? Give me a break! I worked my butt off for 12 years and never did it like this! (Of course, if I did...I never would have sold anything.)

Let's get real, Wisconsin! It is time for a radical change! If we are to survive, we have to work together, raise our standards and service our listings. If you can't handle that...step aside and watch how many of your listings dissappear! Eventually, sellers will get wise and they will all convert to flat fee services! I think it's like eating dinner at a fast food restaurant and leaving a tip. Pretty ridiculous, right? In this economy, we're all watching what we spend. Your clients are watching you, too. Listing and selling agents need to do their jobs, the way they are supposed to be done. If you don't, someone else will. Sellers WILL get wise, and you will be out of a job.

Buyers agents: don't shut the selling agent out. They are a valuable resource and an ally. Get the job done. Bring together buyers and sellers and move on! Do more business, better and faster than you've ever done it! Make a good living and feel good about the work you do! Work together!!!

Agents beware! If you are advertising your properties on Craigslist, you are a TARGET! I am the victim of a Felony crime in my state. A person (yet to be arrested) has posted a fraudulent ad on Craigslist under the Casual Encounters category (who knew THAT was there?) offering no strings attached, a nude photo (not me) and information related to my status as a broker. It also provided my e-mail address (which contains the name of my business), written in a "less than obvious" format and the offer for sex in "vacant properties."

Now, first let me say that I live in a small town, and my reputation is pristine. People know me here, and that's the way I like it. I am not, nor have I ever been a prostitute. I am a happily married mother of two little girls. The person who posted this ad knew full well how damaging something like this could be. They also did homework on me. According to my web state, I received 99 hits to my site last night. I received 27 e-mails from interested men, too. Some included photos.

Some of these "men" are still harassing me, even though Craigslist has removed the post. All in all, it was only live for about two hours. I had no idea this was happening until this morning, when I checked voice and e-mail. WOW. By the way...I find it ironic that while I was being hunted down for a "quickie" last night, I was busy giving a speech to the Lodi Christian Women's Club.. The topic? "How to Stay Safe on the Internet."

I have been contacted today by one of the men, no doubt agitated by my lack of response last night, looking to "view properties" (3Br, 2 BA on the East Side of Madison.) Is it me, or am I no longer safe? A woman was killed last year here while showing property to a man who became agitated when he realized that the agent was showing him a vacant lot. She was a go getter, and offered to show him another home in the area. She is dead. I could be dead, too.

I am removing my ads from Craigslist, and will find alternate ways to market my listings to benefit my sellers. Know that this is happening and protect yourself!!! Craigslist sent me the "standard auto response" to my inquiries into fraud several times. Twice they politely replied that the posting had been removed. Finally, after explaining that I had contacted law enforcement and am being stalked...they sent me the IP address of the perp. I now know where he lives and he will be prosecuted.

Watch your back out there! We are all working so hard for our clients...this is the last thing you'll ever see coming, and believe me: it's not fun. I am a Mom, a respected member of my community, a business owner and a hard worker. This will be in the local newspaper. Everyone will know. The person who did this obviously intended harm, and I am the last person on earth who deserves it.

I care, therefore I blog. Watch it out there. Craigslist is the largest marketplace for prostitution and sex trafficking on the Internet now. It is disgusting. Google "Craigslist Sex" and see for yourselves! There are dozens of articles, lawsuits and exposes. Read them, and stay safe...if you can.