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Sellers list their homes, doesn't that mean they want to SELL?

By
Real Estate Agent with Crye-Leike Realors TN RE# 294526

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?

Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
Carmen:  This happens so much in our market.  Many prices are firm with no concessions and with so many choices available the opportune word is:  NEXT!
Mar 19, 2007 02:53 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
This is a new agent, and probably has a full time job!  I am seeing this happen almost daily!
Mar 19, 2007 03:28 AM
Carmen Prince
Crye-Leike Realors - Atoka, TN
Affiliate Broker

Jim,

I don't see how Realtors can have a full time jobs outside of real estate.  I work about 60 to 70 a week servicing my clients.

Mar 19, 2007 04:02 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Many do.  I agree with you.   However, the numbers of real estate agents in the Atlanta area has grown exponentially in the last few years.  We've growns from about 8500 agents in the late 90's during the boom in Atlanta to about 13500 just a few years ago, to 44000 agents today.  The sales numbers have not grown.  They have to be working a full time job, to pay the bills.  Similar numbers of growth have taken lace across the nation.  It really hurts the market in a very dysfunctional way.
Mar 19, 2007 07:47 AM
Virginia Halter
RE/MAX Signature Properties - Harrisburg, NC
ABR, CDPE, CRS, GREEN, SFR, SRES

You wrote, "AND... Why do people list their home if they don't want to sell?" 

My question is, why does the listing agent have a listing for a seller he can't find??? 

Mar 19, 2007 08:56 AM
Carmen Prince
Crye-Leike Realors - Atoka, TN
Affiliate Broker
Here is an update on this house that doesn't want to be sold.  I found out this morning that the house is going up for auction next week.  It has gone in default.  If the listing agent knew what he was doing, he could have worked with his client, told them he could work with the mortgage company since they have a ready, willing and able buyer.  Now, he lost the listing and a commission!  All I can say is; expensive lesson!
Mar 31, 2007 04:11 AM