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If you write posts about subdivisions please read this post.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Centre Realtors

I received a call and email from a consumer yesterday.

She wanted information about homes in a subdivision that I blog about.She used to own a house there when she was married.

 I post market reports quarterly and sometimes write about the community.

The lady requested me to email her all the listings . I looked up the mls while she was on the phone and mentioned the listings. She also wanted me to check the mls and email her every day if there was any activity including pending or sale.

She said she had looked at the listings I mentioned. I asked her who showed her the listings and said if you would like to work with me as your agent, to please call me to look at listings.I offered to meet her and discuss here real estate needs.

What she said surprised me. She said ,' You are the agent for the subdivision. I see your name when I look up information about the subdivision .

I realized she was planning on using me and then looking at homes with another agent.

I said I am an agent who sells homes  in the township and that I  write about many different communities .But I do not represent the communities and am not the builder's agent. These are resales. I also said I do not get paid unless I sell a house and that I do not get paid for looking up the mls daily and emailing her information if she is working with another agent.

I did email her listings yesterday .

Posted by

When you read about events please check the year for the event as some people find information a year later and think it is for that year. . The posts remain online even after the event.

Gita Bantwal is a Realtor with RE/MAX Centre Realtors in Bucks County, a Northern suburb of Philadelphia. You can view 1000s of listings on her web site www.GitaBantwal.com

 

She can be reached at 215-343-8200x124 or direct 215-275-8491 or via email gita01@aol.com

If you would like a FREE MARKET EVALUATION OF YOUR HOME IN PHILADELPHIA, BUCKS or MONTGOMERY COUNTY call me at 2152758491

 Gita specializes in Active adult communities and is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. She holds the ABR designation (Accredited Buyers Representative) and specializes in selling to first time buyers as well as move up buyers.Gita also hold the CRS designation , Certified Residential Specialist and the CDPE designation as well. Information about real estate market is deemed to be correct but is subject to errors and omissions and should be verified independently.. Opinion expressed by me or others  in my post and comments is not to be construed to be  legal advice.I am licensed in Pa. Check real estate laws in your state as they may be different than in Pa.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG         CLICK HERE   OR EMAIL ME AT Gita01@aol.com

 

Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Gita: I have ran into this myself...instead of emailing them MLS listings daily, I always recommend they go to my IDX site and subscribe.  That way they can set themselves up for daily, weekly, etc. feeds based on the information they want to see (3+BR in area X).

Nov 28, 2012 09:05 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Gita,

It just goes to show you how confused the average consumer is about who represents who!! We take it for granted the consumer understands if there are just resale homes there are different agents representing different sellers!

Nov 28, 2012 09:06 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Anita, That is a good idea.Unfortunately we are not set up for pending and sold.

Dorie, Some think we get paid a salary so they do not feel guilty taking up our time.

 

Nov 28, 2012 09:10 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Gita, Many consumers have no idea how this business works. Do you have services like listing book in your area?

Nov 28, 2012 09:17 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Yes Gita, i have received similar calls when agents tell their client to call me for the data! Unbelievable gall...I always suggest a sit down meeting with me & then i never hear from them again...not good potenial clients i have found.

Nov 28, 2012 09:29 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Good for you for explaining how things work to her....a similar thing comes up with me, where someone calls on "one of my listings" but they are not my listing....I am happy to work with them on it, but sometimes they say I want the listing agent...

Nov 28, 2012 10:38 PM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA
What a great Reason to do local blog posts on our area communities. Thank you for your blog, you definitely have my mind thinking!
Nov 28, 2012 11:19 PM
Liz Hill
YOUR CHOICE REALTY CORP BROKERAGE - Barrie, ON

It is amazing how the public can get a certain perception of how things work. You have explained your response very well.

Nov 29, 2012 01:07 AM
Ritu Desai 703-625-4949
Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA
Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Gita your local blogs are great depth of details that reflect your knowledge of the community.  Thanks for sharing your blogging success.

Nov 29, 2012 01:25 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Larry and Sheila, I do not have Listing book. We have a good website and I can set up automatic email of new listings.

Ginny, Thanks for the tip.

Kristin, They do not know how we get paid.

Nov 29, 2012 03:47 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Gita,  So typical that a consumer is confused about how our business works.  Hope she ends up using you.

Nov 29, 2012 04:00 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Joy, Thank you for reading.

Liz, Thank you.

Bill, I hope so. Thank you.

Nov 29, 2012 05:53 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Gita, for the very reason you stated, I started adding the year to the title of events, so people wouldn't call me two or three years later or go to the event on the wrong day. We have a responsibility to the public to help them keep it straight. Very interesting scenario with the lady - sometimes I have a hard time explaining that I am not the Restaurant, the organizer of the Parade, etc., when my number has 'shown up' when they Googled the event/place.

Sharon

Nov 29, 2012 12:08 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Sharon, Thank you.

Nov 29, 2012 07:28 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Gita this is interesting and will make me rethink how I write and explain sub division and communities in my area.

Nov 29, 2012 08:50 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

You just never know...sometimes when a consumer finds you more pro active with customer service than the agent that they were working with...you have a new customer !

Nov 30, 2012 08:16 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Laura, It is probably a good idea.

Sally and David, I hope so.

Nov 30, 2012 08:24 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

What a great compliment and way to get business Gita, I will have to try this.

Dec 04, 2012 06:48 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Charles, thank you.

Dec 04, 2012 07:48 PM