Ok....so may I assume you are going to take it personally if I don't like your listing? Then why are you calling me for feedback? Oh yes, I know....because you honestly think that almost a week after the showing you might find that we've just "forgotten" to call you with our full-priced offer?

 

Yep...that's it! Thank you for calling to remind me to write that darn offer! :)

I'm really busy and I dread the phone calls from agents which start "Hi, thank you for showing my listing last week....can I get some feedback?"

Oh no..maybe if you call me as I drive away from the listing, I might remember the purple granite in the kitchen or the master retreat which seems to take the place of an actual bathroom on the second floor....but a week later? 20-50 houses later? I have no idea. All I can really tell you is that we aren't writing an offer. Then sometimes I get things like "it's the one with the great kitchen?" or "my listing was the one with the roses in front?" thanks, that helps alot :)!

Then sometimes I do remember....."Oh yes, the one that smelled like wet dog?" or "Is it the house with the smoker?" or finally "Didn't that listing have orange walls and green trim?" And for some reason, the agent often finds this feedback offensive. Hey....it's not your house, this is not a criticism of YOU, your listing has a few issues and I wish you well.

I really don't call for feedback.....I do follow-up to find out if there is something we can do to put a deal together. I'm fully aware if the carpet needs replacing, if the sellers need to make their beds (every day) and if the the touch-up paint doesn't cover the crayon smiles in the kids old bedrooms. I don't need to hear it from another agent. What I do want to know is other than that...can we put something together.

I don't call a week later.....I call that evening. Isn't that why we are so connected? Isn't that why we have electronic lock boxes? I think so. There is one agent in my area who calls me the minute I drive away. He gets a text message every time one of his lock boxes is accessed. (I admit I haven't looked into this yet), but I love showing his listings. If we are there and he calls....we can ask about the broken window or the water puddle in the grass...and often, we can get past it and give him an offer.

I'm thinking that calling for "feedback" is a non-threatening way to make a phone call. If you really need me to point out the negatives, then take it like a man (you women too :))....if it's just a way to see if we can work a deal....then don't wait a week, and just ask me that. I'll tell you!

 

 

 

KAREN FIDDLER
Dre no. 01494165
Broker/Associate
HÔM SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
M 949.510.2395
Karen@SothebysRealtySoCal.com
HÔM SOTHEBY'S logo

 

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66 Comments on I Was Honest! I'm Sorry......Your Listing Smells Like Wet Dog

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
23
2010
527,843 Points 54 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What do sellers want? FEEDBACK!  This has always been a problem.  It is important to the seller, important to the listing agent, and a low priority with the showing agent.

We use a showing system that automatically sends out a request for feedback.  I try to provide feedback on all my showings, but I can't at times.  Like you said, if it is more that a few days, forget it!  Selfishly, I try to send feedback because I like to get feedback.

I do not mind honest negative comments as I can pass these to the seller and perhaps correct a situation, such as the wet dog smell.

Bottom line - the ultimate feedback is that they did not buy the home!
8:21am • #47
874,820 Points 154 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Laughing as I get calls weeks later too. Of course I don't remember the house, if it was a week later that they called then I don't think they are too interested in my or my clients opinion.

Most of the large companies here use email Showing Desk feedback, that works.
9:11am • #48
702,682 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

No kidding. I only give feedback by email, no more nonsense phone calls & going thru the other companies voicemail gauntlet. Too time consuming. Actually, I've noticed no one is giving feedback in my area which is just nasty.
9:38am • #49
840,383 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I have smelled a wet dog and it was not pleasant....As to feedback on what you are doing, I can support that. However, after you have done this a few times, you should be on top of your game....I mean after all ...that is what we get paid for..... Isn't it..? Thank you Karen
10:43am • #50
851,625 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I love when I get those calls while I'm out with clients. Normally, I hear from this agent once I'm in the car traveling from one house to another. I too don't answer calls when I'm with clients, but often I'm in the car alone (they usually follow me) plus, I expect the call from this agent...so I know it's coming, and know the number.
11:50am • #51
371,285 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Karen: My company always sends out an email...if it isn't answered then I call for the feedback... Yes, if the agent's client/customer was interesested, they would call... but sometimes they are also getting their finances together, or they are trying to answer a question that I could supply (if the agent had asked).... or it could be brutal... In which case, that needs to be passed on also.. the good with the bad.. I have clietns who ask for that feedback, and then get upset when they 'get it.' It is what it is....  and then I have clietns who forget you gave them feedback... I am not sure which is worse! But, feedback is important..  Best, Gay
6:54pm • #52
813,626 Points 243 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Doing the mental forensics to recall a showing a week ago is more than any busy agent can realistically do. 
8:50pm • #53
851,625 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I like that term....."mental forensics" that's great!
8:53pm • #54
413,712 Points 88 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen, I have had 3 transferees in this week...I have shown 2 gazillion houses, all with gleaming hardwood floors and shiny granite countertops. I give feedback right away when asked on-line: detailed, honest, useful. I finished up at 7:30 tonight and will do feedback now. AND YET: I will get calls Monday morning even on houses where I already responded on-line. If my client didn't put it in their top 3, does it really matter what they mean by "too small"? If they think the price is too high, arguing with me won't change the buyer's  opinions. I could just scream when I respond on-line and then the agent or assistant calls and says, "sorry, didn't see your response, so could you tell me what you wrote". I no longer respond to one large team's emails because they call and argue no matter what.

As a final tweak, a listing of mine sold this am after they had 3 showings and gave no feedback....so you just never can tell.

 
10:07pm • #55
OCT
24
2010
975,855 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have trouble remembering seven to ten listings that I have just shown. I focus on the top couple of homes as we shop along so sometimes my feedback is a simple as it did not make the top three. That is simple but sometimes as accurate as I can be.
7:03am • #57

I don't mind providing useful feedback to help an agent if I feel their home is overpriced, but once I've provided that and no contract is coming, stop with the phone calls. 
12:16pm • #58
254,289 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

As a Stager I can't tell you how much time/energy I see wasted by listing agents who are not realistic with themselves, and/or their clients re: state of a property. They don't value their own time, and they convey that to sellers in a nanosecond.  Great post, thanks.
1:02pm • #59
356,537 Points 4 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

If an agent sends an e-mail for feedback I will usually respond, but I do not return phone cals. Sometimes my clients want to hear feedback from showings so I will ask for it, by e-mail only.
6:50pm • #60
OCT
25
2010
133,500 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Karen, I love the follow up calls a month later!  Really, why bother?
1:23am • #61
518,297 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I thought that I was the only agent who felt that way.
1:30am • #62
797,466 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There's nothing like a direct statement-next time I should just ask if we can put a deal together!
3:16am • #63
851,625 Points 183 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think a couple of things...the week-later calls are probably from agents who don't value the feedback themselves, they already know. But they are being pressured by the sellers and can't answer the questions. I also think, in my area, we are so busy that if they catch us on the phone, we are happy to help, but if not....then calling back is not a priority. Like the email questions....I try and get to those.
9:41am • #64
763,614 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Karen, when working with sellers that were previously listed and didn't sell, I find that the most common complaint with their previous agent was communication.  They didn't ever hear anything from their previous agents after showings.  So I do contact the buyers agent that evening or the next day.  Mostly, because I actually want to sell the home and want to pursue if there is anyway way we can put together a deal.  If not, then I try to ascertain what the seller's home did or didn't have that made the difference.  That helps my seller know now he stacks up against the competition.
10:42am • #65
OCT
30
2010
137,462 Points Outside Blog

I ask for feedback on showings via a showing service that requests less evasively by an email, instead of a phone call, where I get about a 95% rate of comments. I do appreciate honest feedback.
11:59pm • #66
137,462 Points Outside Blog

I ask for feedback on showings via a showing service that requests less evasively by an email, instead of a phone call, where I get about a 95% rate of comments. I do appreciate honest feedback.
11:59pm • #67

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