The Good Agent, The Bad Lookie-Loo and the Ugly Reality
A Re-Blog of a Re-Blog! I love activerain as real estate concepts and business practices can be discussed in an open forum.
What is the job of the listing agent at an open house? What about other agents who conduct open houses for the listing agent in order to find buyer leads?
Here is my response:
First off, it looks like I have some competition for being "the most annoying commenter on Active Rain". Haha!!! Hopefully I do not lose my title!
Here are my comments regarding your blog and your response:
1. "This post was inspired by a home stager who, obviously, doesn't know the law of real estate agency."
The law of real estate agency has not been violated in the instances described by the original author. This is even true in states in which the laws of agency are of a fiduciary nature.
2. "In a rather arrogant manner, the writer of this post goes on to call the listing agent #2 a "bad" agent for being (in her opinion) unattentive to the her (an unpresented buyer). . . and follows up with the dig, "And your listing is ugly!""
I didn't get a sense of arrogance in the referenced blog nor did I see any reference or statements describing the property as being "ugly" simply because of the perceived actions of the agent.
3. "The SELLER'S AGENT has a job to do: REPRESENT THE SELLER"
I partially agree with you. Your first function at an open house is to represent your client. The agent should have initiated a conversation in order to obtain information that will beneficial to thier client. However, once it has been determined that the potential buyer is not interested in this paticular property, it would make perfect business sense to engage the prospect for future, possible opportunities.
4. "And P.S. . . . why would an ActiveRain member go to an Open House to find an agent?!? "
I can think of a few reasons: Don't want to have a fellow active rainer know my personal business, Don't know anyone personally in that market area, built up a rapport with the agent I met, etc.
I don't even know why you would bring this up.
5. "Guess whose blog I'm not going to be reading."
Somehow, I would think that is a good thing seeing how such a benevolent blog can elicit such an infantine response.
This post was inspired by a home stager who, obviously, doesn't know the law of real estate agency. The "member's only" story goes: Stager went out to look at property, unrepresented. One agent at an open house seemed attentive, but also a "newbie" . . . Another agent at another open house didn't seem interested.
In a rather arrogant manner, the writer of this post goes on to call the listing agent #2 a "bad" agent for being (in her opinion) unattentive to the her (an unpresented buyer). . . and follows up with the dig, "And your listing is ugly!"
The post which inspired me:
The Good (Agent), The Bad (Agent), and the Ugly (Houses)
Although I am NOT a listing agent and practice Exclusive Buyer Agency -- I'm going to stick up for the Listing Agent at Open House #2.
Maybe, just maybe . . . the listing agent at Open House #2 didn't want to pimp the Buyer out in an attempt to double dip!
Maybe, just maybe . . . the listing agent at Open House #2 didn't want to get into a serious UNDISCLOSED Dual Agency situation with an unknown and unrepresented buyer.
Maybe, just maybe . . . the listing agent at Open House #2 doesn't use their client's property to pick up buyers.
The SELLER'S AGENT has a job to do: REPRESENT THE SELLER
Maybe the Listing Agent at Open House #2 couldn't be bothered, was too busy, or just didn't feel the need to use their clients' property as a buyers' meat market. And when the stager said they didn't like the spiral stair case or floor plan, maybe the savvy listing agent knew that they weren't interested buyers . . . and that WAS their job. To rule in and rule out viable buyers.
I believe in Maryland, agents are forbidden to talk about OTHER real estate matters that do not concern the property they have listed to buyers who come through on an Open House. Not a bad idea. I believe they are not allowed to use their client's property for their own personal business, i.e., picking up buyers.
Many buyers think the listing agent are there for them . . . HA HA HA.
Many buyers are dead wrong. The listing agent is there to pick the buyer's brain and get THEIR client the best possible terms and conditions. They are NOT at Open Houses to FIND BUYERS PROPETY or to find out WHAT BUYERS ARE INTERESTED IN.
I know what I'd be doing when an UNREPRESENTED buyer walked through my door. I'd be pumping them for information all right . . . in order to GET MY CLIENTS THE BEST DEAL!!
It's a pity MOST buyers don't have a clue when it comes to the Law of Real Estate Agency relationships, FIDCUIARY DUTIES, dual agents, sub-agency . . .
The first agent at the Open House pimped their client's listing and used the sellers' property to nab a buyer. Nothing more . . . nothing less.
Sellers don't seem to get how that game is played.
The first agent was there to sell her client's property . . . not to hustle up business for herself USING the sellers' property, which is clearly what she did.
And P.S. . . . why would an ActiveRain member go to an Open House to find an agent?!? Guess whose blog I'm not going to be reading.
HA HA HA . . . it works both ways, don't it?!?
EBA Portland ~~ 100% BUYER REPRESENTATION ~~ 100% of the Time
EBA Portland, LLC is an Exclusive Buyer Agency serving the Metro Portland real estate market since 1999. If you’re a Buyer in the Metro Portland area (including: Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Downtown Portland,) and contemplating a purchase, talk with a Buyer’s Agent . . . better yet, talk to an Exclusive Buyers Agent. Exclusive Buyers Agents do not work for listing brokerages or Sellers. An EBA’s fiduciary duty is: 100% BUYER REPRESENTATION . . . 100% of the Time.
Carla Muss-Jacobs
503-810-7192
Carla@carlahomes.com
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