Should you test your agent? In my humble opinion…YES!

Todd, I had a friend do this. The agent got so mad that she quit. The seller went and found a new agent and within 30 days, sold their home.

A good agent shouldn't be the least bit afraid of being "tested" (tested fairly, I might add.... no unreasonable expectations)... Returning an inquiry call quickly is a reasonable expectation, and responding to e-mails quickly is also within the realm of normal... especially today.

I'd also add... it's a good idea for you, or a friend, to call the main office with a phone inquiry about the property.  See how your call is handled... is it sent to your agent, or a "floor duty person"... and if so, how well do they handle it... do they speak knowledgeably about your property, or do they say "oh, that property is overpriced, let me tell you about..." 

You have the right to make certain that your property is being properly represented.

Todd

You have to wonder if an agent does not call back, email back, or lacks a follow up system if their heart really is in this business.

Sincerely

Tom Braatz

Todd, I have often wondered what the owners would think if they really knew how their listing agent acted.  Good Advice.

Well put, something I think the sellers never worry about.

Todd,

I agree 100%.......bring it on, I know I would not lose a Seller to this review.

  I have the same complaint with many of the showings lately.....I just don't get it.

I have to admit, I run into that problem a lot more than I would like.
Unfortunately, both buyers and sellers lose; while the agent does I don't know what.
I showed some properties recently, and had some questions about one home in particular, in an area my clients like.  I called her. I emailed her, and I had her paged.
I've already sold my clients a house, and I still have not heard back from her.

I just don't understand how people stay in business this way; and how bad this makes us (all??) look.  Our clients deserve so much more.
Isn't our first priority to ensure we are looking after our clients' best interests?

Todd, great idea. I think every seller should do this before they hire anybody.

Todd - I welcome any and all inquiries about my listings.  If I don't answer the phone when they call I will get back to them as quickly as possible.  Customer service is important in not only our industry but in every industry.

Todd: I've noticed this happening quite a bit as well. I try to answer my phone and return emails promptly but when calling other agents for feedback or availability on their listings I seem to just get voice mail. Great idea to have a friend do a test call. One would think with the market being so slow that there would be time to answer the calls, check e mail and follow up, right?

Hi Todd!!!  My first broker told me something I adhere to because it makes sense. He said, "I only require ONE thing from you. Answer your phone EVERY time or as soon as possible. Each phone call is possibly worth thousands of dollars!"

Good advise, sellers should be made aware of this, as the market slows so is the response time of agents who were here only for easy money.

Todd,

Many times one a agent gets the listing they disappear never to be heard from again.

Todd - this gets us so frustrated at times. We call an agent numerous times, their office, broker anything and don't get a call back. And when we call to inquire about a property (multi million one at that, with very legimate questions that only the team leader apparently knows the answer to - we get hung up on, shuffled around, and no call back). You'd think they want to sell the homes? ~Rita