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Out of Area Agents, Again!

By
Real Estate Agent with S & L Properties

This subject continues to be debated from time to time but I wanted to share an example of when it didn't work and the buyer is paying the price.  Several months ago, an agent from the Triad contacted me about showing my listing on a golf course.  He explained that he was meeting family members at the beach, and they wanted to buy a home on a golf course.  He felt the price and amenities would meet their needs.  He explained they had viewed the pictures and the virtual tours of a few homes, and they would make their selection within a few days.  He is not a member of our MLS so he asked that I leave a key; he did not want me there.  I did as he asked.

A few days passed, and I called to ask for feedback; I assumed they had bought somewhere else because I did not have an offer.  He was very nice and told me how much they loved the house but they put in an offer on a brand new home that was a little cheaper and had a screened-in porch plus they loved the huge members' clubhouse (which is very impressive).  Of course, I wanted to know where they bought, and I was shocked when he told me.  The community is gorgeous but it has some really negative issues, such as, a high number of properties for sale, many short sales, foreclosures, and many rentals plus owners have to contend with a developer who is still building.  I asked him if he was familiar with the property, and he assured me that he plays golf there every time he comes to the beach.  He was so enthusiastic and he said they were so happy and excited.  I realized that anything I said was going to be considered "sour grapes" so I said nothing except to wish him well.

I picked up the paper recently and there was a huge ad that said to come in...developer is giving a 40% discount on new properties...why buy a used property, a foreclosure, or a short sale.  He is giving a better deal.  I wonder if the agent knew how many properties had been on the market for over two years...some for three?  How many short sales? Foreclosures?  Rentals? 

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You Call It Paradise...I Call It Home...So Can You!

Comments(6)

Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Linda...I have written about this subject every once in a while here on the Rain because I feel deeply about it.  I'm glad you have added your thoughts about this issue.

By the way, I like your slogan very much. 

Kate

May 23, 2010 03:42 PM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I always want people to get the best possible "deal". I also have my (partly) tongue-in-cheek two year rule: "you can't buy it if I think I can't sell it in the next two years". That said, a very experienced agent chided me a bit today when I said about my buyer "well, they really shouldn't buy a home with a 2 car garage". She reminded me that a purchase decision was a personal choice and that we shouldn't presume to tell people what they should buy.

I've visited your beach -- beautiful! You are so fortunate to work in such a lovely area.

May 23, 2010 03:47 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Linda, We have a huge MLS so that information is open to everyone but it still amazes me when people show houses 2 hours away from their market area.  On the other hand I recently talked to a buyer who had an agent in Dallas and was depending on listing agents to show them homes so they could use their Dallas friend.

May 23, 2010 04:11 PM
David North
Coldwell Banker Bain - Duvall, WA
for a rewarding real estate experience

The farther we wander away from the areas where we do the most work, the greater our burden as professionals to redouble our thoroughness and our willingness to involve or defer to a fellow professional who can protect our client from making a mistake.  The line isn't always crystal clear, but it is always important.  Good post.

May 23, 2010 04:11 PM
Linda Hinson
S & L Properties - Calabash, NC

Thanks you Kate and Leslie, I enjoy reading your posts as well.  I may not ever be a top producing agent because I am going to point out any resale negatives then let my clients make their own decisions.  I am not going to let them walk into an issue blindly.

May 23, 2010 04:13 PM
Linda Hinson
S & L Properties - Calabash, NC

Marchel, recently I had a lovely couple referred to me by an out of state agent who asked for a referral fee which I was happy to pay.  It turned out the couple owned several lots that were drastically underwater and the only way to sell would be a short sale.  They told me they had mentioned to the man's sister that he was coming to list the property, and she offered to find them an agent. They had no idea that there would be a referral fee.  They decided to hold the lots but I had made up my mind not to list them.  By the time I split with my company and paid her a referral fee,  I would barely break even.

David, you are right!  It isn't always clear cut.

May 23, 2010 04:22 PM