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Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller: Your Agent May Have Lost $10,000 on Your Behalf!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living 272617

Movie Productions in GeorgiaAs long as I sell real estate, I know I am going to have one consistent factor to deal with. The overwhelming amazement on how some agents conduct their business, and more importantly, how they represent their clients. It absolutely blows me away.

I've dabbled in the ever exploding Atlanta industry called.....MOVIES! Yes, Atlanta (and Georgia) are now Number 2 behind Hollywood in movie and television production. There is not a day go by that you don't see the Base Camp and the production trucks on some street or parking lot in Atlanta. It's a daily fact of life. As a result of this booming business, there are lots of ways to make money...as a real estate agent and as a home owner. This post is directed at the Owners, and mainly those that have their home LISTED For Sale...

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller:

Your home is currently on the market For Sale. I understand that. But between the time you list, and the time you sell, would you want your Agent to let you know there is a short-term income opportunity for you?

I recently contacted your listing agent regarding the possibility of a production company leasing your home for a 1 day taping of a pilot television show. While I did not have specific rental numbers from MY client, it's not uncommon for these types of productions to pay $5,000-$20,000 PER DAY FOR A RENTAL OF YOUR HOME!  Yes, you read that correct....$5,000 to $20,0000 for ONE DAY!

Unfortunately for you, YOUR Listing Agent did not return any of my calls regarding questions I had about your home, and this potential opportunity for you. Had your home been selected (and you agreed to such) it would have been exposed to hundreds if not thousands of people around the U.S.

I just thought you might want to know how your Listing Agent is working on your behalf.


Movie Productions in AtlantaOf course, I've sent no such letter to either of the two Sellers of these homes. I only attempted to contact the agents on behalf of my client. Sure, they may not have been at all interested in such a project. The mere mention of a production company renting your home might scare the begeezes out of you...especially when it's listed for $2.4M. Sadly, they will never know that this opportunity involved no more than 15 people ever being in the home at one time, NO major lighting, backdrops, etc. No major cable, power, etc other than one charging system.

But maybe what really scares me the most, is the fact that I called two listing agents on homes listed at $2.4M and $1.3M and never even got a return phone call.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Seller:  Your Agent May Have Lost $10,000 on Your Behalf!

In case these sellers happen to see this post, the pictures here are of the two homes we were attempting to lease for ONE DAY!

Oh, yeah, and what do you think the commission on $20,000 for one day might be for both of us? Ah, never mind, who needs to make money anyway? Certainly not us, and certainly not that Seller.

 

David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct
If the listing agent does not return my phone call then I would just simple call the manager of the office and present your offer to them explaining the facts. Good luck.
Apr 24, 2012 10:00 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Seems to me that the decision to rent or not to rent should be made by the owner.

With a sufficient security/damage deposit, some owners may be interested.

Apr 24, 2012 10:02 PM
Todd Hays
Exit Real Estate Professionals - Spokane, WA

I have some listings that I’m sure you can rent for a day. They are not $2.4 million and they are not in Atlanta. I’m sure that won’t be a problem though.

Apr 24, 2012 10:04 PM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

It still becomes difficult to do business if the other agent does not call back (and they could be the the office manager) and what if it was a movie star wishing to purchase!

Apr 24, 2012 10:18 PM
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

The bar seems low quite often in this business.... You've identified a very simple concept that too few embrace... "ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!!"

Apr 24, 2012 10:30 PM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

David:  In the movie/production business, it's all about time...these requests can come with just a few days notice, believe it or not. You don't have time to chase people down. It really frustrates me, because I'll probably never get a call from this casting company again because I was not able to get them what they wanted. Grrrrrr.

Lenn: You are so right. They have all kinds of insurance and damages clauses, etc.

Todd: I'll keep them in mind!

Raymond: I guess they will never know!

Brenda: I always answer my phone. Always! Even at 10pm.....it's only 7pm in LA and who knows who is calling!

Apr 24, 2012 10:41 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

unbelievable that they don't even call you back and allow their sellers this opportunity.  I know folks who could have saved their house for $10,000 to $15,000 in their hands.   Perhaps they need to list with you Thom.  I hope they see this. 

Apr 24, 2012 11:00 PM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

I always wonder, Do the sellers know that their agent doesn't tend to business?

Apr 24, 2012 11:06 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

I'm not sure what law you operate under in Atlanta. .a direct letter to the homeowner should be proper in this case. .my opinion

The homeowner hire the agent to sell a house. . 

The listing agent was not hired to rent the house.

There will be no reason to criticize the agent in this case.

 

Apr 24, 2012 11:14 PM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Tammy:  When I did the Taylor Made Golf Commercial at Lake Oconee, there was one house they paid them $16,000 PER DAY just to cross their property to have access to the fairway in front of their house. $16,000 per day for 3 days!

Rob: Ya think?

Fernando: Actually, Fernando there is EVERY reason to criticize in this case. I only mentioned to one of the agents it was about a production rental. The other agent I did not. I know the fudiciary responsibility to the client is to protect their interests. You have hired me to sell your home. During that time period, if I know of a financial benefit you could receive, am I not obligated to at least tell you about it, and you then decide you are not interested. If my home was For Sale, and my agent knew about this kind of opportunity and did not tell me, and let ME THE OWNER decide if I wanted to follow up, I'd bounce their ass out the door faster than a tennis ball served by John McEnroe!

Apr 24, 2012 11:29 PM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

An interesting revenue stream and not a bad deal for a day's rental.  Don't know why people don't return calls, even if only to say they aren't interested in a polite way. 

Apr 25, 2012 03:41 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
They can have my condo for a day. Though they might be shooting a horror film based on it's current state of disarray.
Apr 25, 2012 09:54 AM
Thom Abbott
MyMidtownMojo.com |770.713.1505 | Intown Atlanta GA Condo Living - Atlanta, GA
Midtown Atlanta GA Condos For Sale

Carla: I'm convinced that many people's Mama pulled them out of school the day, week, or month they taught Manners Class.

Cindy: Well, that's always a possibility!

 

Apr 29, 2012 06:54 AM