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I just got another call from a Seller who is going to fire his agent.

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Showcase, REALTORS® CalBRE#01385517

 

MOST Common Complaint about Short Sale Agent

The most common complaint brokers are getting these days is that the short sale agent is non-responsive or that the process is going too slowly for the sellers. The best way to prevent this type of complaint is to manage your client's expectations from the beginning of your relationship-especially when working on a short sale.

 

Explain to the client that the timeline for a short sale transaction is much longer than for a "typical" transaction. Inform the client that banks may sit on offers for weeks or months without explanation. Expect nothing for 30 days and then again in 30 day and maybe things will start to break loose around day 70-90.

 

You should also make it a practice to stay in contact with all of the players in this type of transaction-your client, the other agent, the lender and so forth. If your client hears from you regularly, they will feel less frustrated by the process.

 

"A doctor who has a strong bedside manner rarely gets sued," says Amdahl. And having the professionalism and communication skills that keeps the deal on contract and makes your client feel you are on top of things will make you memorable for all the right reasons.

 

Hire someone who emails updates to all parties every Tuesday and Friday like me! I give them a website ID to have access to a Short Sale Communicator to see the actual communication between the lien holders.

 

Stacey Smith
Keller Williams Realty - Aliso Viejo, CA
Your Orange County Beach Cities Realtor

Great post... Like most things, communication is the key and it is also a great idea to not only inform them from the very beginning of what is to be expected in regards to timeline but also maintain that communication through out the process.

May 09, 2011 12:49 PM
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

The lender's behavior is often so bizarrely counterproductive that frequent communication with the seller is critical so they won't think you're making it up. Sometimes we do a 3-way call with the seller and the lender so the seller will experience the nonsensical responses of their lender.

May 09, 2011 12:50 PM