I Sure Hit the Nail on the Head!

I guess I am not alone in thinking that agents who don't post pictures are lazy.  I sure hit the nail on the head with that query.  I find it interesting to see that generally these agents fall into one of two camps, at least in our area.  They are either poorly trained (or untrained and left to the wolves to learn) or the old-timer.  Either way, we all seem to agree that they should not be out there representing sellers.  I love some of the comments I've received and if only we could change the world and rid our areas of these people!

Let's go for another one.  How about agents who fax their offers in to you without calling first, especially when you have a disclosure package that must be reviewed prior to making an offer, and you want all offers presented in person to the seller? 

In our area it is the norm to have a complete disclosure package ready for review by prospective buyers.  Included in this package are the usual disclosures as well as all property inspections.  We have our sellers pay for the pest and property inspection up front.  Doing so allows the seller to ask for an As-Is offer since all inspections have been presented prior to offers coming in and the buyer has a good understanding of the condition of the property.  Occasionally we received offers with contingencies for additional inspections because of something that appears in the original property inspection, but this doesn't occur too often.  Most of the inspections presented in this disclosure package include property inspection, fireplace, pool (if there is one), roof if something shows up in the original property inspection, and even geological if needed.  The buyer sees everything about the property up front.  No surprises.

We are still a healthy sellers market, with many multiple offers, and by presenting all information about the property up front, buyers feel more comfortable making offers without contingencies.  It allows our clients a comfort factor and gives them the feeling of hitting the bulls eye in their purchases and sales.

So, what do you think?  Do you like your sellers to hear offers or do you like to present them without the other agent?  If it is the latter, are you really representing your seller to the best?  Are you hiding something?  Are you afraid the other agent will make you look weak?  Why don't you want your sellers to hear the offer from the Buyer's Agent?