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What do you mean you have an accepted offer? The MLS shows Active!!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Metro Life Homes RS-78439 / BRE #01708344

What do you mean you have an accepted offer?  The MLS shows Active!!

How many times have you had a buyer tell you they are interested in offering on a property that shows Active on the MLS, but then when you contact the listing agent, they tell you they've had an accepted offer for a while now?

Not only is it extremely annoying, but it causes a credibility issue for all of us.

First of all, you have to explain to your buyer who can see the property listed as Active and For Sale, that it's really NOT Active and For Sale.

So thanks to whatever agenda the listing agent has going on, your credibility suffers for it.

Well, I for one do not allow that any more.

First, I inform the listing agent that they are inconveniencing everyone for not changing the status to Pending or Backup Offers.

And second, I push that violation button like somebody left the gate open!!

At least half the time, I know darn well in this upward market that the listing agent is using the Active status of their listing to meet buyers.  And that's fine with me, but DON'T do it at my expense.  Don't have me waste my time showing this property to my client or even worse, take the time to draw and submit an offer if it's truly already sold.

What are your thoughts?


Comments(8)

Paula Bradfield
Bradfield Ramsey Group - Salida, CO
Your Salida Colorado area Realtor Team

I hear you. It means, turn your gaze outward to make sure your listing says under contract... going from all about me and my deal to the community.

 

Dec 17, 2012 09:57 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Ralph   I live in a community where that is common practice.  Might meet a new buyer!  My blood pressue goes up just thinking about this unethical practice.  Enjoy the day!

Dec 17, 2012 10:14 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

"The cool kids" in my MLS will often leave a listing active until after appraisal for the same reason.

Dec 17, 2012 10:40 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Ralph, the situation you describe is usually a Listing Agent trying to "play both ends against the middle."  It is extremely frustrating for a agent trying to find property to show to continue to run into this nonsense.  I wish there was some kind of PENALTY that could end up sticking to the Listing Agent in question.

Dec 17, 2012 11:13 AM
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County
This is extremely annoying. I think that the MLS folks are really challenged in getting everyone to follow the rules. The best they can do is always try to build the best mousetrap.
Dec 17, 2012 12:14 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I agree....and of course we could use a standard way of dealing with short sales. If you have an offer into the bank, then hit back up until you know that buyer is gone. I also hit the violation button.

Dec 17, 2012 11:37 PM
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

Our MLS does not have a pending or back up status.  Unless the house is in contract it comes up available.  We constantly  call on houses that are accepted and inspected and half in contract.  Until the contract is fully executed we cannot change the status.

Dec 18, 2012 12:14 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

In the Fort Worth/Dallas MLS (called MetroTex), a listing goes from Active to "Option..." meaning that buyer and seller have agreed upon terms (usually takes no more than 24 to 48 hours from an offer being made).  The "option" period is usually seven days or so, during which time the buyer must have and complete an inspection if they so desire.

After that seven days, the home then is listed as "pending"... and stays that way until closed, which is then marked "sold."

A home that is marked "contingent" has nothing to do with financing, but with the sale of the buyer's home... if that is the case.  That rarely happens... as most sellers will not accept any offer with the ball-and-chain of being contingent upon selling buyer's home attached to the offer.

Dec 18, 2012 01:17 AM