In the last couple of months I have received contacts from more than a couple of people looking for a new REALTOR®.  Since getting in the business I get these contacts from time to time, but lately it has been happening more and more.

I am extremely cautious when I receive one of these calls or a contact at one of my open houses, etc.  If they are under contract with another agent, you can get yourself in a lot of hot water by saying the wrong thing.  I would not appreciate another agent undermining one of my clients with me and I would not do that to someone else.

Let's look at a few of the reasons I have been given for these clients contacting me:

Sellers

  1. Their agent is too busy to sell their home.
  2. Their agent does not return phone calls
  3. No showings of their home.
  4. Unhappy with their agents request to lower the price.
  5. No regular communication from their agent
  6. Lack of marketing including pictures in the MLS or proper flyers.
  7. No open houses
  8. Agent too pushy or rude.
  9. Their home is under priced. (even if it isn't selling)

Buyers:

  1. Agent too busy to show property
  2. Agent telling the buyer to find the home and they will write it up. (I have heard this one many times)
  3. Agent requiring them to use their lender (usually a sister company)
  4. Agent not returning phone calls.
  5. Not showing them homes they want to see.
  6. Only showing listings from their office or their own.
  7. Encouraging the buyer to put offers on homes they do not like.

 

I am sure those of you who are active in the business have heard all of these and many more.  I put these potential clients in two categories.

Bad or unreasonable client:

  • The seller who believes their home is worth $100,000 more than anything ever sold in history.
  • The client who wants the agent to hold 7 open houses a week, spend $500 a week in advertising and cut their commissions in half.
  • The buyer who wants to see all 500 listings in the area.
  • The buyer who refuses to do a pre-approval with a lender.

Good Client/ Bad Agent:

  • The agent wants the client to do all of the work and then pay them.
  • The agent who never returns a phone call.  We know them from when we try to show their listings and give up.
  • The agent who does next to no marketing other than a sign in the yard.
  • The agent who wants to severely under price ever listing to make their job easier.
  • The agent who insults the clients.
  • The agent who has a full time job during the day and can not be reached except off hours.

 

I hope I never fall into any of the categories.  Any agent who does deserves to loose their client or worse.  REALTORS® charge large fees to market and sell properties.  If they do their job professionally they can easily justify the fees.  If they do not do their job professionally they really should find another line of work.

 

They are dealing with the most important asset for most people and their clients deserve the best.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, Broker-in-Charge, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams Realty

 

Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers.  His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.

Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) Performs mediations and ombudsman services for the Board of Realtors.  To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents. 

 

www.HawaiiRandy.comOahu (Honolulu County) Property Search  Hawaii Military Relocations

 
This post has been included in Hawaii Real Estate News

38 Comments on More Clients are Calling Looking for a New Agent

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
20
2007
220,580 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Randy, I like this post because you have your eyes open when they call- being careful and understanding what or who you're dealing with (justified or not) is so important.  Many "assume" that it was the agent, not realizing that occasionally, these calls are tough clients.  As for the rest- it's amazing that people stay in this business if they have no interest in the client, expecting a paycheck to boot!
4:18pm • #19
1 Featured Post

These scenarios make me want to pack up and move to Hawaii!  Just kidding...

Thanks for posting.

 

 

 

4:18pm • #20
129,532 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Randy, nice post and right on the "money" so to speak..
4:24pm • #21
1,261,611 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Randy,

There seems to be a rash of this. I am in Wisconsin, and the air waves transmit bad vibes of who to work with, and who not to work with. I always thought that there were some bad apples in every cart, but what doe you suspect brings on all the snial oil repellent sales persons. WE, the homest, hard working folks get cauht up in the mix

Hope all is well

Tom Braatz

4:37pm • #22
125,085 Points 1 Featured Post
I think the slow market shines a light upon the bad actors in our profession!
4:50pm • #23
141,741 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor
I am seeing the exact same thing. Sometimes it is motivated by the unrealistic ideals of the seller and other times it is caused by agents who were able to get things done when the market was making things happen all by itself, but cannot really get anything done themselves (Lots of that going around!)
5:03pm • #24
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Christina - If you ask a few questions you will usually get the whole story.

Gary - That is true.  I have a theory that some folks need to loose to figure it out.

Scott - They were probably busy flipping burgers at their full time job.

5:10pm • #25
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Laurie - Those agents are probably so focused on the commission that they cut corners at others expenses.

Gene - It is OK to visit, but please go home after that.  We have too many real estate agents here already.  LOL

Al - Thank you

5:50pm • #26
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Tom - I do not think it is a regional problem.  It seems to be the same everywhere.

Randal - I agree the slower market does not allow the bad ones to get by.

Robert - That is one of the bad things about a too hot market.  There are too amateurs slipping through the cracks making messes that may turn up later, after they are long gone.

5:55pm • #27
445,451 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Randy, there will always be poor agents, but I suspect that the slow market has been a major factor in any increase in unsatisfied sellers...
6:53pm • #28
650,291 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Interesting post and interesting comments.
7:58pm • #29
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Brian -Absolutely the slower market will make the seller's less satisfied.  It will also put a spot light on bad agents lack of performance.

Bob & Carolin - Thank you

8:28pm • #30
OCT
21
2007
The cream is rising to the top ... which is only good for the consumer.
2:06am • #31
Nice post....a good reminder to all of us of what not to do.  Thanks.
11:46am • #32
882,832 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

There are two sides to every coin.  Of course there are the sellers and buyers that are always going to look for someone to cut them a deal that is just a little better.... but,

There are the agents and brokers that never seem to do what it should really take.  I wrote a while back about a small new hones development that is not even advertised on the dominant MLS for the area... doesn't have pictures, nor does it point to the website (there is one) that does have pictures.  Just plain lazy marketing for $500k homes. 

12:35pm • #33
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Allen - A cleansing of substandard service and agents is good for the public.

Ryan - Thank you

12:37pm • #34
209,265 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Randy,

Well written, my friend!

Lucky :)

7:43pm • #35
OCT
22
2007
303,702 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Randy, seller frustration with the slow market seems to be driving this sort of thing, at least to some extent. 

When the house won't sell at the seller's insisted-upon price, they blame the agent.  It's a bit like being in a hospital and believing that if you change beds, you'll suddenly get well again.

12:40pm • #37
597,029 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Eric - I see some of that happening.  I have turned down some listings to avoid being in that position.
12:53pm • #38

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Randy L. Prothero - Hawaii REALTOR® (808) 384-5645

Island Style Realty Inc. - "The Prothero Group"

Mililani, HI

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Island Style Realty Inc.

Address: 94-539 Puahi St., #B, Waipahu, HI, 96797

Office Phone: (808) 671-2225

Cell Phone: (808) 384-5645

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