Home > Blogs > Tracey Thomas > Calabasas & San Fernando Valley California Real Estate Climate

Should You DUMP Her?

Real Estate Agent with BrokerInTrust Real Estate Cal BRE #01345507

October 12, 2007 07:18 PM

calabasas seller

Should You DUMP Her?

If this sounds like your Real Estate Agent, then the answer is YES.

1.   She put a lock box on your door and a sign in your yard and you haven't seen much of her since.

2.   The only time she calls you is to ask for a price reduction.

3.   You haven't received weekly updates with your showing activity and showing comments.

4.   Instead of giving you a detailed explanation of why your house hasn't sold, she rolls her eyes, acts busy and blames it on the "market".

5.   She hasn't provided you with access to a home stager or advice on how to declutter and maximize curb appeal.

6.   She didn't tell you that 80% of home buyers start their search online and didn't provide you with an online virtual or video tour.
7.   You home is not featured on Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, or any other website for that matter.
8.   There are few pictures on MLS and they are dark, and blurry.
9.   She hasn't given you any information on what has sold in your neighborhood since your house was listed.
10.  The brochures for you home are just print outs from the Multiple Listing Service.

If even one of these sounds familiar to you it's time to show your real estate agent the door. But let her down gently.

For information on how to creatively market your Calabasas home and get it sold in this challanging buyer's market call me at (818) 652-2937. You can be sure that a one hour investment talking with me will yield at least one or more priceless ideas!

Comments (37)
Subscribe to Comments Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Gaylen Thornton

Desert Heritage Real Estate - Surprise, AZ

You would think that those things are taught in Realtor 101 but unfortunately we know that if they were it didn't take long for agents to forget them or they didn't take in the first place. I wondered how the agent gets the listing in the first place????

Oct 13, 2007 02:31 AM

blreast therealty4u

Beach and Luxury Realty, Inc. - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Nice Post Tracy, and some good comments..

unfortunately these are also the agents that the sellers remembers to tell everyone who'll listen about- for years- long after the occurrence.. and even when they retire to another state!

Wish sometimes, people would remember to add time and place to some of these stories.. At least.

But that there's still agents adding to the problem... oh just not right!

But as you've clearly pointed out... a couple or three simple things done well makes the difference.. separating a "SELLING Realtor from a mere listing agent!

Oct 13, 2007 02:53 AM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Sandy - I agree, but it takes all kinds I guess.

Dan - LOL, very funny.

Linda - Phone calls are a biggie, even lawyers don't return phone calls. What's up with that?

Oct 13, 2007 03:00 AM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Susie -Dan is the jokester for sure.

Nancy - It is WAY too common.

Missy - I know, returning a phone call is free! Getting a new listing is not.

Oct 13, 2007 03:02 AM

Gena Riede

Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA

Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Tracy,communication is the number one problem most clients have with their agent. It's time that each understand that it is vital to communicate even if there isn't much to say, call anyway...check-in. The Seller needs feedback and needs to know that you haven't taken off for parts unknown! The calls I usually get are about agents who are part-time so they are busy at their "jobs" and don't consider real estate important enough to devote full time to. That's a problem in this industry and one that should be addressed among others.

Oct 13, 2007 03:04 AM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Patricia - Contact is the key ingrediant to making your client happy (well at least understand).

Katerina - Every market is different, this is just what I do in my area. Communication is key, if you say you're going to send updates monthly and you do that, then it's perfect.

Jeff - Same article, just written after the fact.

Oct 13, 2007 03:05 AM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Gaylen - That's a great question, I'd love to know that myself.

blreast therealty4u - It makes a huge difference when you communicate with your client.

Gena - I agree completely, thanks for the comment.

Oct 13, 2007 03:08 AM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Kick her to the curb. And yes lay the sign next to her. keep the lockbox. It may come in handy. No you cant do that.On the serious side she's not handling her BUSINESS.

Oct 13, 2007 04:03 AM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Kick her to the curb. And yes lay the sign next to her. keep the lockbox. It may come in handy. No you cant do that.On the serious side she's not handling her BUSINESS.

Oct 13, 2007 04:03 AM

Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

Kick her to the curb. And yes lay the sign next to her. keep the lockbox. It may come in handy. No you cant do that.On the serious side she's not handling her BUSINESS.

Oct 13, 2007 04:03 AM

Bill Roberts

Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA

"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Tracey, I didn't see the most important item: counsel not to list if they don't absolutely, possitively need to sell. Too much inventory hurts everybody.

Bill Roberts

Oct 13, 2007 04:38 AM

Ronald Gillis

Southwest Florida Notaries (Mortgage Notary Signing Agent) - Port Charlotte, FL

CNSA Southwest Florida. Notaries, Port Charlotte, 941-7-NOTARY

Without a doubt, the answer is YES! While it may be a 'difficult' market, or whatever terminology you want to use, houses ARE being bought & sold, and it is up to the Realtor to WORK at getting the house sold! It CAN be done!

Oct 13, 2007 11:26 AM

Sandra Cummings

William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT

Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Wonderful Post....The lack of returned phone calls should be a big red flag. If your agent won't return your calls, what makes you think they are returning other's calls. And in a slower market this could cost you a sale.

Oct 13, 2007 11:45 AM

Lisa Ryan

Callaway Henderson Sotheby's International Realty - Montgomery, NJ

Selling Princeton,West Windsor and Montgomery Town

Tracey~ Am I missing something? Why is it dump her? There are lousy, lazy agents of both sexes, be an equal opportunity dumper!

Oct 13, 2007 01:19 PM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Did they dump her and hire you? Great list of reasons why....

Oct 13, 2007 01:32 PM

Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate

Coldwell Banker United Realtors® - Bay Minette, AL

I would dump him or her and get another agent.

Oct 13, 2007 01:32 PM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Robert- I think if seller's read this and listened, there would be many agents kicked to the curb.

Bill - I agree, not taking an overpriced listing is first.

Ronald - It definitely can be done.

Oct 13, 2007 01:38 PM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Sandra - That's a great point.

Lisa - I'm an equal opportunity dumper, I just picked woman for this post since in my area, we have more fenake agents than male agents.

Sally -Hopefully after thay read this post they will.

Vicki - Me too!

Oct 13, 2007 01:41 PM

Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

Hi Tracey,
It is sad that there are agents just as you described and I hope the public will heed your advice and DUMP HER/HIM.

Oct 14, 2007 11:21 AM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Tracey, this is a very nice, short and sweet marketing piece that may be able to work wonders for obtaining some of those about to expire or languishing listings out there.

Oct 15, 2007 07:38 AM

Older Post

Newer Post

Rainmaker
117,135