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It's a Mystery

This is my rant for the week, no wait, maybe for the day. Why is it when a Realtor obtains a listing that they fail to get complete information to put on the MLS? I pull up a listing in a desired area and there is an HOA mentioned but no fee, no room sizes, no school information and barely a correct address one picture. There is barely enough showing information. Why the mystery? Is this to entice me to look further? I think not. There is such a large inventory in the Valley of the Sun of homes why should I take the time to dig up the facts? Is it fair to the home owner and are you really marketing the home owners property properly?

And while I am ranting, take decent pictures. One shot of the outside is sufficient and for heaven sakes include a picture of the kitchen. Now I realize that some homes don't have all the information readily available; however, do some work to find the facts. I also recognize not all kitchens are spacious in appearance. Let's be real here, a buyers agent and a buyer is going to find out all the facts and see what it is like if there is interest. Leaving off information or pictures in the MLS does nothing more than to turn away prospective buyers.

Why take a listing and then make it a mystery?

Posted by Gaylen Thornton on 09/01/2007 08:27 AM

Comments (16)

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16 Comments on It's a Mystery

SEP

2007

Morning Gaylen, It is a mystery isn't it ? Don't you bet they would be the first to complain if info was missing on a listing they were interesdted in ? Go figure.

I see this a lot too. Sometimes its just for the first couple days before the agent had time to gain access to the information but when I see no information on properties that have been listed for a week or more then there is no excuse.

It seems like the easiest time is when you are there signing listing paperwork. Just run around with a laser measurement gun and camera and get it done! Sometime the homeowner wants more time to clean before pictures so I get outside shots up first and then add interior ones within a day or two.

Susan makes some great points, but I think sometimes it's "the best intentions unfulfilled". I think some agents get the listing and put up the sparce info on the MLS so they get the calls, with the intention of going back later and fixing it, but it gets shoved to the wayside by the other more pressing issues of the day. I don't think it's an isolated incident but one of human nature.

Gaylen, in our MLS the rule is to enter a new listing within 24 hours of taking it. With our busy schedules, sometimes putting up a bare bones entry keeps you within the rules. Still, there is no excuse for not coming back within the next day or two and completing the details.

I have had buyers pass up on going to see properties because there was no info on the MLS. The seller lost a potenial buyer.

In my area, fines are imposed on those who omit details and pictures when entering information in the MLS database. That is something your MLS may want to think about doing.

Gaylen, we have the same issue in our MLS. I recently sent an email to all agents in out office (over 300) and suggested that they at least have photos ready when they add a listing. This would keep us way ahead of other agents!

They might think they can sell the listing themselves. As far as room sizes...with more lawyers per capita in this area...I think that agents are afraid of getting sued.

Our MLS let us report inaccurate/incomplete information...you should check with your MLS.

one word...Lazy

Some agents do this so they can sell it themselves, most just have poor time management and have to get it in a hurry and others are lazy...

Unless it's something that I really know a client will like - it's NEXT.

Which is worse, missing infor or inaccurate info? I think there is a difference between stripped basement and "family room and bath". And I think there is a difference between underground fuel tank and "above ground fuel tank." But the listing agents didn't think so. At least missing info doesn't misrepresent.

It is indeed amazing how many agents take only one photo and that one is not even a good photo! It is as if they are not really interested in selling! Good point!

Obviously whoever does this is not a professional and is not working in their client's best interest. I was looking up condos for a client and saw one picture....of the door!! You would think they could have taken a photo of the beautiful grounds, pool area, etc.. But...no, they didn't.

I don't get it either!

This is not going away unless mandated by the MLS to include specific basics. We have many options and less than 30% use the majority of the options or details allowed on our MLS. Photos...with the search in the 80%+ range for buyers looking on the Internet one photo is going to get you exactly what Judi said, NEXT!

Nice post. (daily rant?)

SEP

2007

Gary, thanks for your comment, I said maybe the rant for the day. <smile> The lack of information on so many listings finally boiled over! I was glad to see I'm not the only one who finds this unprofessonial and annoying.

Gaylen

I don't know about how things work in Az. but here in Jersey sometimes that is do on purpose. Out rules and regs say we have to post the listing usually within 48 hours or suffer a fine. Most of the time when this is done the agent who took the listing has a pocket buyer.

In a down market it doesn't make sense to do it the way you say. These people don't belong in that area of the business. If your not going to do the work go home!

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