I have an issue that I would love some help with.  I wrote an offer on the 10th of March on a home that has been on the market for 41/2 months.  It is empty and to be honest looks like it could be a forclosure or on its way away.  My buyers really like the home and are willing to make the repairs.  Sounds good, right?  WRONG! Here is the problem.  In our offer I put a time limit.  We were to have an answer by Monday the 12th of March.  The listing agent called me on the 12th and asked if they could have until the 13th at 5pm.  I called my clients and they agreed. As the deadline approached, I called the listing agent.  He then told me that he has not talked to the seller yet.  He only has a cell number for her and she will not answer his calls.  I then asked him if he had presented out offer yet.  He said yes verbal only.  The seller was to call him back with a fax number so that he could fax it to her.  At this point, I thought, who is this agent!  Does he know how to do his job?  I looked him up on our MLS and he is new, only had his licenses since Sept. 2006.  He has 1 listing (the one my clients want!) and only sold 1 home so far.  I then knew I needed help.  I called his broker, a realtor that I have dealt with before and a very good agent.  I did not "tell" on the agent, I just asked for her, the broker, help.  She returned my call and told me that I didn't have an agent problem, I have a sellers problem.  That was the help I got!  Now, what to do?  I called my clients and gave them an update.  They want to wait 1 more day.  Again, they LOVE this house.  I dail the listing agent and talk some more about this house.  I asked him to overnite the offer to his client since she has relocated to FL.  The answer, I can't I don't have an address.  All I have is a cell number.  WHAT??? 

I advised my clients that we should move on.  The seller doesn't want to sell!  What would you have done differently?  AND... Why do people list their home if they don't want to sell?