Real Estate Blog - Which Flavor of Fruit Filling Does A "Pop Tart" Agent Have?

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Which Flavor of Fruit Filling Does A "Pop Tart" Agent Have?

Do you know what a pop tart agent is? If you're a buyer a seller or another agent, you need to know if you don't know. Here's the skinny:

A pop tart agent gets a phone call and runs out the door to let someone in a property know little to know information about a buyer, their history, their financial/creditworthiness or ability to buy. Just like a toaster ~ Pop!
A pop tart agent has car load of buyers and they drive by a home with a for sale sign and call while sitting in front of the home. They want to see it without knowing any information about it, size, price, number of bedroom, if it remotely fits their buyers needs.

I've dealt with a few pop tart agents in the last 24 hours with regard to one of my listings. My seller's have been good sports about, so far. I feel pressured into the showing because in some areas our market languishes and every buyer is to be valued, no matter how unqualified. I do let the seller choose whether or not to accomodate short notice showings. They can always say no. Basically, it's a crap shoot and the odds really stink that a buyer is going to be found like this.

A few days ago a pop tart number called me AFTER speaking to MY SELLER in the front yard. She wanted in RIGHT AWAY with her car load of buyers (four adults and two children). I first thanked her in advance to NEVER speak to my seller again without my permission.

She then informed me that she was from a city over one hour away.
She is not a member of either of our board's of Realtors.
She cannot access our lockbox.
She wants me to take her word for it (on the phone) that she is, in fact, a licensee and wants my seller to vacate for the showing and leave the door unlocked for her.
She calls me from a location that is so loud I can barely understand her.

What are the odds that this is a sale in the near future?

Does it sound like ANY research was done to help the buyers really find the RIGHT house for them? It's aggravating for me because I have to drop everything I'm doing to accommodate the pop tart showing, knowing full well that I'm dealing with a licensee, not a professional real estate agent. Professionals don't do stuff like this.

This whole event inspired me to fully explain pop tarts to my seller and not only to not get their hopes up but to not believe that everyone is a home shopper. Some people aren't honest and that's ANOTHER job good listing agents have. Anyone can be a target for pop tart posers but here are a few examples of those that should be especially vigilant.

Young pregnant mothers
Mothers of newborns
People who may have weaknesses or illness
People that may have valuables, collectibles or expensive pets

Seller's of real estate need to understand how to and protect themselves and their homes.

Posted by Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate on 10/29/2007 02:53 AM

Comments (75)

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Originally posted at: Bonita Springs Florida Central: Which Flavor of Fruit Filling Does A "Pop Tart" Agent Have?

This post has been included in Florida Information Lee County, FL Information

75 Comments on Which Flavor of Fruit Filling Does A "Pop Tart" Agent Have?

OCT

2007

This is a consumer post today, kids. Please keep your comments clean.

I've known some Pop Tart buyers, too. They want to see something NOW, calling from the front yard, want you to drop everything, pull the sellers away from their dinner table and get action IMMEDIATELY. They don't know anything about the house other than it "looks pretty". Anyone who can't wait to schedule a showing usually isn't a serious buyer either, and if they are then their impatience makes going through a real estate transaction very stressful for everyone else involved.

Great advice Chris! One of our jobs is to know WHO is going into our listings so that our clients will be better protected. Thanks for listing the most vulnerable ones.

I never do a pop-tart thing. The buyer(s) are expected to come into the office and I get a copy of their driver's license. That's on MY side. I always use a scheduling service to set my appointments so I don't get many drive-by's and if I do I tell them to call CSS to confirm the appointment.

From what you described, it sounds like your seller told the "agent" to call you. Good for her. Those are the instructions I give all my sellers if someone shows up unexpectantly and knocks on their door (or worse, confronts them in the yard). Keeping our sellers safe is the utmost priority.

Frankly, I don't know how FSBO's do it. They are an invitation for strangers to walk up to their door. Putting "by appointment only" on their signs doesn't keep the creeps away.

Most of my inventory is vacant so thankfully the problems are less but on the ones that are occupied the agent must make an appointment no exceptions.

Pop tarts = unprofessional, unprepared, unlikely to write a contract

Chris--Interesting post as there are too many agents willing to just drop everything in this market to show anyone a house. Frustrating for sellers who would like to actually sell their home to a qualified buyer. There is an expectation by many sellers that for every showing the buyers are qualified but sadly that is not the case.

Sounds like you had a PopTart with frosting on it, Chris.

Chris - It's unfortunate that some agents take this approach. And they are certainly not doing their clients, the buyers, any good. Some are so desparate for business that they will do anything to get buyers into a house. And buyers who are wilkling to work this way are probably not qualified nor serious, so it is a waste of time for our sellers. Unfortunately it seems that this market has spawned more of these individuals.

Jeff

It annoys us when an agent calls who has obviously not taken the time to read the mls, other than to find our phone number and stop reading after that. In this market though, we happy for any call.

We do get calls from agents with buyers who pass by, and we get out of agent calls frequently. But no matter what, we have to pop up to pop tart agents, annoyed or not.

And you're right of course, these rarely amount to anything, but at least it doesn't take long up here. There's little to no traffic, and it's a beautiful ride in every direction.

Even then, and it's sometimes an indulgent pleasure to think it, there are times when we'd like to unplug the toaster.

Incredible points. I have a listing with a newborn involved right now and I haven't taken many pictures of the home because there is evidence all around that there is a brand new baby in the home. I have the "appointment only" situation going on, no lockbox. It is solely to protect the family. I have rude agents "I am 10 minutes away and need to show this home." Baby is sleeping of course! 50% of the homes in the valley are vacant so this situation (accomidate me or else) is the norm.

I know when I am working with buyers I have an appointment MINIMUM one week out. I know I need to view the house at least SEVEN whole days in advance. Buyers must be properlly qualified in order for me to work with them. Their search is carefully set up so that I am not wasting their time, my time, another agent's time or another family's time.

I hate pop tarts. A moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips.

Chris,

This is a great post and important for your sellers to understand. Pop tart agents are really just big time wasters for everyone. Also let your sellers know that usually the buyer in not qualified for home financing either. I get the call from the Pop Tart Agent later down the road, after they went out looking at 15-20 homes, just to find out I cannot qualify their client.

I have taken a personal stance to stop working with these type of agents. They are a huge distraction to my business and do not value my services.

CHERRY!! did I get it right? DoI Win the prize? Just got off the phone with one pop-tart wanting to show my listing now and wants all the cars removed from the cul-de-sac. Seems the birthday party has to wait...NOT! Very timely post indeed!! I couldn't wait to get home and comment WOOWEE!!

Golly, I think that agent called me a couple months ago! Same scenario - agent lived 90 minutes away - no access to our MLS - just happened to be driving by with her buyers - can I drop everything & drive 25 minutes to let her in???

I always give my sellers a one-page list of "security precautions". As Kris said, FSBO's are so-o-o vulnerable!

I have found that agents that have to see it "now" are not in control of their clients. I have never had one work out taht insisted it be asap. Agents showing homes in our area's without knowledge of the area, is a bad result of the data sharing mess we are all going through.

Chris,

As much as we try to make a science out of the real estate business and its nuances, there still is such a thing as impulse buying, even in real estate! Thanks, Fran

This is exactly why services like CSS are there and one of the many reasons I will always use their service. No one gets past them that doesn't have a liscense and a showing code.

Hi Chris-

Sounds like another one of those mindless twits that DOES have a licence but DOESN'T have a clue.

Great post Ms. Griffith...we have had our share of "Pop Tart Agents" in our area and the market conditions are finally weaning a lot of them out which I consider a "Good thing".

Chris,

Good points. I would like to add that I was showing buyers a home and they liked the neighbors home much better. It was for sale, but 75k more than they gave me as their price range. I stated that and they said they would still like to see it anyway. I called the listing agent while we were in the driveway and the mother, with a newborn, said we could come in. I showed the home, they wrote an offer, they bought the home.

Go figure.

OCT

2007

Chris I loved this. I always thought the emphasis was on the tart when it was really on the pop. Anyway, yes you're right. The chances of a pop tart showing actually leading to a sale are slim to none. They get my goat too.

Congrats on your star!!! :o)

I think we also have our share of pop tarts. However sometimes an agent does have a qualified buyer who wants to see a property at the last moment. This happens sometime when dealing with a buyer you might have from NYC. Sometimes due to their jobs the potential buyers might have cancelled several appointment but then show up unexpectedly some of these people are high end cash buyers and you have to try your best to accommodate them.

That's pretty funny...I just met one yesterday...and there was a truckload in the van when I arrived...but hey...we need to show every Tom ...Dick and Harry just in case their intentions are to possibly buy.

As a "Pop Tart Agent" you can be a target for crime. An agent in my office recieved a call from a "buyer" who urgently wanted to see her $1.7 Million listing.

With only a name and phone number the agent immediately goes to meet him at the house. She proceeds to show him the house and during the process narrowly avoids a sexual assault by the false "buyer" and two other accomplices who show up to join in. She managed to get away and call the police.

Without properly qualifying a prospect you just don't know if they are serious or what it is they are serious about.

"Pop Tart Agents" can be easy targets for crime.

Very valuable post.

Looking at property search from they eyes of the consumer, I believe that they believe that, if they see a photo on the Internet, they are invited to visit the inside.

Unfortunately, there are many agents willing to accomodate this consumer perceived "right".

Great post and wonderful advice. I've cut down on "pop tarts" by having a brochure box outside with some basic information, including the price and three financing options.

Agents should know better than to impose on families, at the last minute, and should have the knowledge and professionalism to call you ahead of time.

My Dear Chris - what a delightful and informative post. Our valued clients need to be aware of such things. Although here in our market, we have a different name for these kind of 'agents'....."Idiots!"

Hi Chris - You're right, PROFESSIONALS never conduct their business that way. I detest phone calls like what you've described as you know right off the bat that virtually no pre-qualifying was done at all with those buyers. And the buyers who waltz into someone's office expecting to that agent to drop everything and cart them around showing homes perhaps need to have some things explained to them, such as how we really work and what the expectations are for everyone involved.

Good job laying it out there in this post - for both pop-tart agents and those special kind of buyers who look for that kind of agent.

Ann

I think you make some good points, Pop Tarts are anything but a healthy and nutrishous breakfast and i feel the same is true for how effective this type of strategy is for a salesperson, certainly not going to contribute to a healthy real estate career!

Pop Tart Agent! Love it! I think this Pop Tart didn't have frosting on it because if it they would have put pen to paper.

I'll tell you who benefits from the Pop Tart agent...It's the rebate companies that tell their buyers to find a house and call them back when they are ready to make an offer.

"REALTORS(r)... refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners."

That's from the Preamble to NAR's Code of Ethics.

When working with buyers, I always make it a point to call off a sign if there's a property that's not on the tour I've put together that they're interested in. That's just good business, and doing a good job for the buyers.

The listing agent can then:

1) Take two minutes to give me some basic information on the status of the home, which may or may not help them make a sale, because they're courteous and professional.

2) Get featured on ActiveRain by bagging on me for doing my job.

I always prefer number one. If I can think of a good breakfast food to characterize #2, maybe I can write a featured post.

"REALTORS(r)... refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners." (Except when we have a forum of thousands of people to play to, in which case, let's go for it, since we'll get lots and lots of comments).

Great post and I really know where you are coming from with this one.

Pop tarts stay in the oven too long and they end up burned. Agents like this will learn...one day. Mabye...

When I was house shooping, my REALTOR® said that a showing without notice is not an option. She made that clear without me ever even asking if I could see a house. She was a professional, like you.

Hi Chris-

I just had to jump back in and add a few things.

If we're going to start quoting the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® - here are a few things that we need to keep in mind:

"REALTORS^®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS^® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor."

"In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, REALTORS^® continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others."

From paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Preamble - emphasis added by me.

So keep on sharing!

:o) @ Marc.

John, I hate to disagree with you on this but a good buyers agent would know about the house ahead of time and added that to the tour. That's due diligence and professional of the buyers agent. There is some respect needed when showing houses. Granted the seller should be excited for first of all having a showing and most likely this is the first showing this house has had in sometime.

Yes it is unethical to comment about other practicioner...by name.

Well put Bob.

She might have been an agent -- but on the other hand, it's possible that she might not have been an agent. Would never suggest that a seller leave and leave the door unlocked for strangers who ahve no credentials come into their home. This person was not professional at all.

I hope your Seller did reject that showing. There can be worse things than NO SHOWING at all. Let's suppose this agent did show it and buyer loved it and wanted to write an offer. Do you think this agent has had the buyer pre-qualified or pre-approved. Not likely.

Going into contract with a poorly qualified buyer is the worst-case senario. Having an incompetent agent in the transaction is a nightmare.

Pop-Tarts are bad for your health!

Bob,

It doesn't say "by name" in the code of ethics. Maybe NAR should change that to clarify that it's OK to bag on our colleagues anonymously on ActiveRain.

A good buyers agent would have known about the house ahead of time? Really. Well, what if the price was higher (or lower) than the buyers told me to look for, but still within their budget? Or what if they sent me out looking "definitely" for one-stories, but changed their mind and fell in love with this fabulous two story we happened to drive by?

How hard is it to say "It's active, it's listed at $459,000. It's vacant, go show it." That's not hard. It's less than a minute's work.

Oh, my those terrible pop tart agents -- they made me answer the phone and answer a question about a house and I'm in real estate!

Horror of horrors.

John --- DECAF.

I love Active Rain. Where's Carnac anyway?

Sarah,

Thanks, but I hardly think a beverage change is warranted because I think it's OK for a buyers' agent to call off a sign. It's really not that hard. Buyer sees a house they like while out with an agent. Buyer's agent calls off the sign. Seller's agent spends less than a minute answering a phone call.

It's no big deal at all.

Let's all take a deep breathe and re-read what Chris has actually written. There are plenty of posts on Active Rain where posters bash other realtors. In fact, one blogger has made a whole series of it. As far as I can see, he has never been challenged about that. I thought Chris's post was showing a genuine concern about her seller client. (I'm guessing her client was either a young mother or pregnant. Maybe Chris can clarify that.)

Here in conservative New England, and I hope in the rest of the world, there is no frickin way anyone should allow a total stranger access to a house. Or to ask any seller, let alone a pregnant one, to leave the door unlocked for the total stranger. There are way too many wierdos out there preying on innocent people and no amount of E&O insurance can cover that mistake. Wierdos posing as realtors is not a new approach - we make it way too easy.

No John, it's not that big a deal to make a call off a sign. Anyone can do it -- and that's part of the problem. We should be able to expect a little preparation from professionals.

The issues that Chris had were that the agent didn't know anything at all about the house and was from out of the area. How likely was it that this house met the needs of the buyer? How does Chris know that this is even a licensed agent? As a buyer, I only want to look at a house that will meet my needs. Was the agent guessing that this house was right, based on how it looked from the outside? Seems like quite a crap shoot to me.

Her seller was a woman by herself. (This was NOT a vacant house.) A car load of people show up, say they are buyers and want her to leave the home so they can see it. Please tell me this isn't something you do normally. This is a safety issue. Chris was upset that her client was made to feel uncomfortable. She's doing her best to protect her client, as she should.

Also, you may want to take a minute to reread your comments. You're coming across a tad sarcastic and this is a public post.

John,

I think there is a gripe on either side of this conversation...

The signs are there for a reason... you're right, but also it doesn't mean it's an obligation and more so, that is the whole point of this post. Just a little common courtesy on both sides.

(as for the buyers, you can't read their mind if they keep changing it)

HOLD ON ... first great post Chris.... congrats on the feature....

::::looking around::::

Looks like you guys/gals got the rest of this one covered...

Okay... you may all continue <grin>

Chris, beside the fact that "pop tarts" may be unqualified time wasters, there can be a considerable security problem with supposed Realtors(R) from outside the MLS wanting immediate access to listings.

Regarding what kind of filling do pop tarts have? I would guess, mostly fluff...

Do they make Lemon Pop Tarts?

Great post Chris - I know in the years I have been doing real estate I've only had one person come to my office and ask to see a particular home and not go see anything else and actually buy that home. They were qualified before looking and it is my policy not to show homes to buyers unless they are pre qualified at the least.

judy t

OCT

2007

Poptarts fresh out of the toastah! Someone order the bitter, lemony one?

I will preface this with the fact that I am not a not a REALTOR®. I am hoping, John, you can explain your point to me.

It is ok to not be prepared for your customers or is it ok to let an car full of strangers in your house because they say that one of them happens to be an out of town REALTOR® (with no access to the lockbox and no way to verify his/her credentials). I am a single mother. I do not let ANYONE into my houseunless I know them and know them well. If I am selling my house, I would hold my REALTOR® accountable for the people that he/she give the combination to enter my house. This is why I would only sign a contract with someone who is professional and I felt was trustworthy. If you were the listing agent for your daughter or sister, would you tell them it was ok to take someone's word, only after this car full of people approached her in her front yard (did not call you off the sign first) and asked her to vacate the premises so they could take a look around?

I am hoping that you are a procrastinator and not that irresponsible.

I had one client that just would let anyone in that came to her door, card or not! I told her that one of these days something could happen to you or your valuables. I said, if they haven't read the MLS to see that they need to call first, then tell them to leave! If it is a potential buyer, keep the screen door locked and hand them my card and have them call me for a showing.

People will take advantage of you!

Poptart, I like that analogy. I guess that their are some agent who are thinking that of me becouse I am working for a friend who wants to by in a area that our MLS does not cover, but my license does cover. So I Have to call these agents, and ask a favor. I tried to refer this friend be he does not want that.

I like the term. We'll have to start using that up here in Maine. Most brokers here are more laid back, but every once in a while you get one (or someone posing as a broker) who fits your description. We've kind of noticed that the more irritated they get with us for asking them questions about their buyer and their credentials, the more likely they are to be either fake or what you just described. I have yet to have a reputable and experienced broker get irritated with me for asking questions about their buyer.

NOV

2007

Thanks for complaining... I am sure that will change everything!

You can always say "no", but you probably don't... Because you never know.

This is the profession we chose, and all professions have their own issues.

Make it a great day!

Exhausting.

I wish they made lemon ones...I would buy them. But not if they're bitter....

Little One had S'mores Pop Tarts for breakfast. I thought she hadn't had quite enough sugar from Trick or Treat. Made me think of AR.

I vote for pop tarts with contraceptives in them so we can keep the morons from reproducing.

(Hoping that Little One doesn't need THOSE Pop Tarts for a very long time!!!)

I was just thinking the same thing here....

Shall we now pray for Sarah's daughters ... *teehee*

....

*Sigh*

Why do I suddenly have a sour taste in my mouth?

maybe it's from eating those 'Ortho-Tarts?"

NOV

2007

Are you kidding me ??? We've also recently had a number of "agents" call up and ask us to meet them at houses to show property because they don't have a lock box key. It isn't rocket science but if you're in the business of showing property shouldn't you have the proper tools to do it ?

APR

Ah ... the good ol' days. :)

I know you can't go home again but I want to.

Are you still keeping this one clean?

*sigh* if it get's out of control i'm sicking you on 'em Amanda.

Well, okay. Just holla.

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