Special offer

Pay Me for Feedback

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with arrivva, inc. CABre#0157615 NMLS#133975

Time is money.  Commissioned salespeople know this all too well.

Today (and many times before), I showed a house to my client that they did not want to buy.  There were issues, priced too high, needed work that you could not tell from the pictures, etc.

I know now I will get a call from the agent's $7.50 assistant later today asking me for feedback.  Also, in the agent section of the MLS, the agent always puts "Our sellers love feedback." Isn't an agreement of sale the only feedback.

This is an agent that does a lot of business and has been around for awhile.  My question is, if you're so successful, why don't you know exactly what is wrong with the property and/or the price?  If you were so good, your sellers would respect your opinion, get the work done, price it based on what it will sell for and unload the house in the first week.

Instead, maybe they are interested in a long listing period so they can generate prospective buyers from open houses, advertising and the spew of name recognition placement all over.

Is this a code of ethics violation?  Is he not doing his best to serve their client?  Maybe, maybe not.  I am not here to be judge and jury about this particular case.  What I am here to do is tell listing agents that you should pay for my opinion since I am doing your job.

And, if you want my opinion, pay not only me but pay my clients.  Does an interior decorator work for free?  No. Does a pricing analyst on Wall Street work for free? No.

Also, make sure you let the sellers know that it was me that told you this feedback so when they finally realize that you are not selling their home, they will call me for the listing.

Well, I don't either.  My expertise has a price.  Pay up or give me the listing.

Posted by

Fred Glick

CEO, Broker/Owner, Multi-state Licensed Real Estate Brokerage U S Spaces, Inc./Arrivva
CEO, NMLS Certified Mortgage Brokerage U S Loans Mortgage, Inc. NMLS 51022/133975

215.238.9400 East Coast
310.741.7169 West Coast
http://fredglick.com

Licensed Real Estate Broker PA- U S Spaces, Inc. 2158298850, CA Dept of Real Estate BRE#01507615 , NJ Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I never understood the concept of feedback.  As you say, the only feedback worth the time is a written offer. 

I've known agents who wanted feedback on an overpriced property to help them to get the seller to lower the price.

That's their job.

Oct 18, 2013 04:59 AM
Kathy Stoltman
Ventura, CA
RETIRED

I did enjoy this Fred.  I will admit most of the feedback one will get on a listing is pretty standard and it is our job as a listing agent to know what the feedback will be. No offers usually is a pretty good feedback that the price is not right.

Oct 18, 2013 06:38 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

My response to requests for feedback are "inspection appraisal". Appraisal information is private.

Oct 18, 2013 12:00 PM