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Pet MLS Peeves - Neglected Listings in Limbo!

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster 0225078705

This blog is a subliminal pet peeve I don't think I've ever seen shared in writing!  Almost everyday... when browsing through the MLS you come across a few listings that you feel like saying dropping to our knees and saying some prayers for the owner because the agent's MLS entries are so bad.  The home will never sell, it is a listing limbo!

Their agent, if they are even worthy of being called "agents" have already given up hope of any sale whatsoever on the property.  Perhaps the listing number is over a year old, there are remnants of a long ago past holiday like the "4th of July" or photos of Christmas past.  Perhaps the listing photos are lush green in the middle of winter, or when viewing the MLS photos in July you come across photos of a snow covered lawn.  The directions are wrong, and you wonder if the person that entered them were dyslexic. The directions have been encoded with opposites of right and left.  To make matters worse, the home is entered in the wrong city with the wrong map coordinates.  There is a misspelling on the subdivision name, so it can never be found in any normal search with out a decoder ring. And go figure don't you know they could not enter the link for the Tax records.

Just when you think that you've seen it all you read the public remarks.  Open House Sunday October 15 2006  2-5 PM!

Posted by

James Crawford Broker Associate

Long & Foster Fredericksburg Virginia

678-595-5286 Direct

 

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Stephen Hodge
Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage - Cobourg, ON
I toured a very nice home the other day that on teh MLS had only one exterior photo and some very  minimal descriptive elements - and this is a mid-level to premium listing in our area! The nice thing about MLS is it allows the consumer to shop from their desks at work or at home... but only if agents take advantage of this very useful and powerful tool!
Jan 26, 2007 01:14 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
It's not just the MLS, it's the overall professionalism.  A few months ago I showed 5 properties in the $2 million + range. 4 had black & white copies of the MLS and 1 had no materials at all - and they weren't new to the market. 
Jan 26, 2007 01:23 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
It is incredible!  I mean what are they thinking or not thinking?  I like to look at upper end homes online, and what is just as neglectful is to place a million dollar home or multi million dollar homes in the MLS without any photos or just 1 photo, and no virtual tour!  Is that a crime or what?
Jan 26, 2007 01:30 AM
Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC
I just turn them in now, since our MLS rules require updates within 72 hours.  Nothing ticks me more when running comps than to find a pending listing that's been under contract for two years...fine 'em, i say!
Jan 26, 2007 01:33 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
I forgot about those! LOL!  It's been under contract for a month,and still showing active!  Or better yet, it closed last year and is still active or pending.  6 months later!
Jan 26, 2007 01:40 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
We've had several listings that did not sell during their previous agreement, and the very first thing we go over is the MLS sheet.  It always amazes us that the owner has usually never even seen it before. 
Jan 26, 2007 02:12 AM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

Jim,

I have seen million dollar listings like that...so shabbily done you wonder why the agent is still working for that client......

It is such a shame that there are agents out there who are so lazy they neglect the basics of marketing....an excellent showing listing will sell FASTER!!!

=-D

Jan 26, 2007 02:14 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA
I find the agent often mirrors the seller.  There's been a house on market at the same price for many months.  When the seller isn't willing to change the price and the agent knows it is not going to sell at this price, the agent loses hope and his efforts show it.
Jan 26, 2007 02:19 AM
Carol Spengel
Prudential Rubloff - Wheaton, IL
Wheaton IL
Our MLS does fine for not keeping a home's status up to date.  They also won't let us put in an entry without the tax information.  I must admit, I do like to use photos of houses without snow.  It's easier to see all the details when they aren't covered by snow - maybe I should rethink that move - Sherry
Jan 26, 2007 02:22 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
The comments are all fantastic!  There is only one scarier scenario!  The property is "Agent Owned!"  Physician heal thyself!
Jan 26, 2007 04:07 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

My favorite is the home listed For Rent entered in the "For Sale" section.  Or, the home listed For Sale entered in the For Rent section.

I also love the comment. "This one will sell FAST."  entered 11 months ago.

I'm convinced that only 10% of agents actually READ their listing after entering or having entered.

Nice post.

Lenn, Homefinders.com

Jan 26, 2007 09:47 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

I forgot about those!  Even the ""This one will sell FAST."  and "Better Hurry!"  You think that some of these agents would actually lift a finger to make a minor change.  It won't make them break out in a sweat!  However, see how quick they get to a closing or to the bank to cash the commission check!

By the way, I love your website!  I never put 2 and 2 together that you are the "Lenn Harley of www.Homefinders.com

Thanks Lenn

Jan 26, 2007 09:57 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate
I've always wondered how agents like this stay in business.  Lenn has a good point.  I've listed a lot of homes this month and I've read all of them, and my assistant has read them, and my secretary!  Hopefully, by the time it goes to press, we very seldom find mistakes.
Jan 26, 2007 12:47 PM
Mike Jaquish
Realty Arts - Cary, NC
919-880-2769 Cary, NC, Real Estate

So, a home is on the market for a while "Don't miss this one!!!" and the Seller moves out.

MLS says "Vacant," and all the furnishings and other personal possessions are in the photos.

Cold the agent at least go out and shoot a few new photos with the old camera phone?

Jan 26, 2007 01:37 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Nah that is too much trouble! Better yet it says "VACANT" and it is not by any stretch of the imagination. and you walk into a home that looks like it is staged, and the seller steps out of the shower and is not amused.  They threaten to call the police! That is one of those days you say. "Why me God?"
Jan 26, 2007 01:47 PM
Pete & Rebecca Tocco
Weichert Realtors Excel - Macomb Township, MI
Great Post, How about the agents who forget to put the propertry  in pending status o  better yet ,list a property and in the remarks it says  " no showings for 30 days at sellers request "
Jan 26, 2007 02:51 PM
Laurie Manny
Long Beach CA Real Estate - Long Beach, CA

Yes to all of the above.  I took a listing a couple of years ago the owner had purchased some 3 years prior.  The last listing agents lock box was still on the water pipe, no way to remove it, the listing agent never even responded to the new owners many requests to remove it.  Now at roughly $85 a pop for the lock boxes I have to wonder, what the heck was he thinking?

When I am browsing the MLS, I bypass the listings with no pictures, what is the point?  If there is nothing left to show on the market I would consider revisiting them.  Lazy agents.  The MLS should require pictures to enter a listing.

Jan 26, 2007 07:02 PM
Angus in Naperville IL
RE/MAX of Naperville - Naperville, IL

Hi Jim I enjoyed the post. There are so many examples of the neglected listing... This agent still had a grey haired listing with a 2002 number and this one used pictures that didn't match the description. In the past, I've also questioned agents that don't use pictures properly.  

I love that we talk about this stuff because we all see it, all the time. Most of us control our listings electronically... It's not like we used to do it... sending in a written change order.. sending the MLS photograher out to change the one picture... These days it only takes a few seconds to tweak a listing...

moo

Jan 26, 2007 10:19 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Angus, I've enver heard of a listing that long.  I thought 2 years was the record here in Atlanta, not  counting the withdrawns, expireds, and re-lists.  Wrong photos after neutralizing is another one that I forgot.  That is extremely damaging to the seller.  I also know of  one case where a person purchased teh wrong property, from the Internet I'm sure!  Those agents should be sued.  As far as no photos, it is inexcuasable these days especially with IDX and broker reciprocity. I wrote an article about photos and virtual tours for http://www.realtrytimes,com/  That is another pet peeve of mine. bot as an agent and potential consumer. "Make Full Use Of Internet Marketing With Listing Photos and Virtual Tours"
Jan 27, 2007 12:36 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
While I am thinking about it!  Another one that I just  came across in MLS limbo was "Ask about our holidays special pricing, and year end incentives!"  I mean is this agent on the ball?
Jan 30, 2007 01:16 AM