Unacceptable...

Hi Lane, unfortunately i run across listing like the one you described all too many times. It's a shame anyone can get a license...

Hey Lane~Keep plugging away. As long as most of us keep doing what is right for the client maybe the rest will fade away.

That is just pathetic and agree, unacceptable. Seems there are more of these in this market however, unfortunately.

Lane,

Ditto.

We were referred to this young couple by a Realtor friend in another state with whom I've done millions of dollars of business and she's friends with the wife's parents. They told us they'd already interviewed an agent from another agency who was going to give them a break on commissions if he did the buy/sell for them, so they were strongly leaning that way, but they wanted to talk to us since we came to highly recommended. We made an appt. that evening for the next evening, but of course, my computer died that night, so we had to spend time the next day getting it repaired and couldn't make the appt. I texted her, called her at work, e-mailed her (from Blackberry) and called her when she got home from work. She'd already told me it would be ok if we had to re-schedule for a little later in the week because it was such short notice. We got the pre-listing packet all together, took a color picture of the exterior of her home, set up a talking house demo for her, everything. We were smokin'! I hadn't heard back from her all day, but she has an infant and had been working, so I chalked it up to her being busy.

We went by that evening to drop off a copy of the pre-listing packet for both of them at their home whereupon we found that agent's sign in their yard and lockbox on their door. We didn't even get the courtesy of letting us know they'd chosen someone else before meeting with us.

So, we looked at the MLS listing the next day. It's listed with no virtual tour, 5 photos, abbreviations like you list above, doesn't list any features of the home (just close to schools, shopping, freeways, etc.), no private remarks, directions say see mapsco, and the commission break he promised them? He's offering 2.5% BAC and 3% SAC. So, whose best interests are being served here? That's so frustrating to me on so many levels. I just sent them a nice note and said we hope you get what you want for your home, hope everything works out and if not, please give us a call.

Terri Hayley, Real Estate Consultant

It would be interesting to preview the house for yourself.  Perhaps there is more there than meets the eye.

I liked your comment about being colored with the same crayon

When agents say they are not going to put time and money into marketing when business is slow they show that they do not understand the concept of marketing - when business is slow you should put more resources into marketing, in any business!  It doesn't take that much effort to take pictures and type in appropriate information - seriously, how lazy is that?

Last time I checked, our area in Long Island had multiple photos with only 25% of the listings shown on Realtor.com. SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT had only one photo. Unbelievable.

Lane, very true. I'm going on a listing appointment Tues. IT is a home listed at 685,000. She was mad at her agent because there are 3 homes in her sub for sale and they keep driving by her house and looking at the others. She thought it was the sign in her yard, which didn't look professional. 

I went to the MLS and ONLY ONE PHOTO,  the others had 10. He also had it in the wrong area. I don't list out  of my board, I can't service the clients like I am accustomed too.  

Gee it sounds like this is happening all across the country. Its got to make you wonder about real estate agents and the public that they serve or dont serve! But please dont color all with the same crayon!

 

Cape Cod Realtor

I send everything to my clients to look over (in case they see errors) so they know what they are getting.  It's a pity that the home wasn't shown in the best light :(

Lane,

This will make you chuckle:)  I held an open house on Sunday afternoon, many years ago, prior to digital cameras and the internet.  I had hired our board photographer to shoot some photos of the property.  Three of the customers who came to my open house, exclaimed that the photos looked so much better than the house they were then, standing in.  I just didn't say a thing!

It is becoming a true professional's market.  I see changes, too.  The strong will survive and continue doing the good stuff:)

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Lane, I completely and totally agree. This is the reason why I offer to make flyers for my real estate agents to dress things up a little bit, including new pictures with my camera. I don't think broker supplied pictures or no virtual tours are acceptable. I don't care what my commission was on the home either. Although I am a loan officer, I do see both sides of the coin!

Lane, this is an excellent post.  It really says it all.  Lazy and or money hungry agents are what gives this business a bad name.  Since you took time out of your day to research this house tells me that it more than likely has great curb appeal...big selling point.  Such a shame the agent isn't doing what they promised the seller they would do. 

Lane,   Lots of that going around.  As the market heats up they will also rise with the tide.  Just keep your high standards and be known for what you do best !

If you cut back, you most definitely should tell the clients you are representing. No one wants to pay for a yacht and get a dingy....

Lane - You said it all!  Photos are #1, then accurate and descriptive remarks about the property, and finally a virtual tour!  A virtual assistant can be a great resource for those "techno-challenged" agents who don't know how to post photos, create tours, locate the popular websites, create flyers, etc. (...shameless plug, couldn't help myself!)

Patty Keller, AnotherME

I'm just catching up on some posts I didn't read and this one really got my attention. To me there's nothing that can be more frustrating than to do a full-court press for a listing presentation and then find that it was given to the nice neighbor lady from church who doesn't do a dang thing for the seller. Let's face it, there are some lazy agents out there but what gets me is the fact that it takes almost no more time to take and upload multiple good pictures than it does to take and upload one crummy one. With the overwhelming number of buyers finding something they want to see on the internet, it seems obvious to me that any good agent should be doing everything in their power to grab their attention. To sellers everywhere: Check your listing. You can bet if you have a half-baked job on your pictures and description, you have a half-baked job on everything else. If your property sells it will be pure luck. Be pro-active.