Real estate agents that are pushy and try to force a decison.
Real estate agents who use the "fear of loss" tactic.
Real estate agents who pass the buck.
Real estate agents who don't take marketing efforts seriously.
Real estate agents who just plain suck.
I hear about and see all of the above and each instance will anger me to action. The last instance is a case of just plain laziness. If you practice in New Jersey, you'll remember the collapse of Foxtons, with their listings "purchased" by ANOTHER BROKER. Apparently when the listings were acquired by ANOTHER BROKER, they inherited the lockboxes that were on the Foxtons listings. Lockboxes on listings with no apparent method of record. So no one at THIS OTHER BROKER can readily provide a shackle code to the lockbox on these Foxton inheritance.
Bear with me.
I listed a previous Foxton cum THIS OTHER BROKER'S listing about 30 days ago. The lockbox remains. I called the OTHER BROKER'S agent and in an effort to be cooperative said "if you give me the shackle code, I'll remove the lockbox and you can pick it up from me office at your convenience."
The response from the new listing agent was, "why don't you just use our lockbox for the listing."
Well, no.
First of all, if it's YOUR LOCKBOX. If I use YOUR LOCKBOX, I've lost control of the vital machinery that's an essential part of my access to the property. Secondly, and most importantly, if the lockbox is NOT MINE, I cannot PROGRAM IT to report to me whenever an agent shows my listing. Third, and of possible more importance than my second point, this practice may not be allowed by my multiple listing service! I mention this not because I'm not familiar with my MLS rules...I am. However in scouring the bylaws I found nothing to that subject. I also found nothing stating regulations once a listing expires!
My client emailed me yesterday to ask is there's anything we can do about this "other" lockbox. I asked my managing broker what our rights are. As I suspected he said, "let's get a bolt cutter and get rid of it."
Done. Finito. Eyesore gone.
BUT, the essence of the story remains. Here's an agent who's listing expired. He is now responsible to get his brochures, signs and lockbox off of the property. Instead everything remains, and nothing is forthcoming but whining and excuses about why he can't "close the loop."
HE AND EVERYONE LIKE HIM ARE WHY CONSUMERS THINK REALTORS ARE LAZY AND INEFFECTIVE. HE AND EVERYONE LIKE HIM ARE WHY THE PUBLIC PRECEIVE THE HARD WORKING AND RESPONSIBLE REALTORS WITH SUSPICION.
I didn't let this guy off the hook and actually almost had him in tears to the homeowner (don't ask).
Don't perpetuate the negative in a business that I am honored to be in when I am a party to any aspect of the situation. You won't be happy.
Don't expect me to hold your hand if you can't get your end of the job done. I hate excuses.
Be a big boy (girl), put on your big boy (girl) pants, and just GET IT DONE.
And, speaking of done, so am I (at least on this issue).
Copyright © 2008, All Rights Reserved. "Antoinette" Scognamiglio (licensed as Maria), REALTOR® Associate, Prudential New Jersey Properties, 64 Diamond Spring Road, Denville, NJ 07834. This information cannot be copied, reproduced, transmitted, distributed, displayed or published. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Consumers are urged to perform their own due diligence in all matters real estate.
"Antoinette" Scognamiglio specializes in the northern New Jersey markets of Northern Bergen County, Morris and Sussex Counties, in addition to several townships in Passaic County. Please visit my website learn more about my philosophy in conducting real estate business, and also to access the resources I offer to the public at large. My credo is..."The title of REALTOR® should be held with great care or not held at all." Put your real estate transaction in careful hands. Contact me directly on my cell at 201-240-8699 or my Denville office at 973-625-1250, ext. 105.
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