What an interesting day I had today! I crossed over the resale line and took an International Relocation customer out showing her rental properties.

Now this may come off as a rant about property managers because that is exactly what it is! Rental property listings in our area are a total, unorganized mess. There is no one single resource to consult. Instead I have to surf the net looking at a variety of websites in hope of finding an appropriate property.

I must say, it's much better than it used to be. Once upon a time there were two resources 1) the local newspaper 2) a tank of gas.

Today sitting in front of the computer surfing is much sweeter than touring up and down streets looking for "rent signs." Yes, I can view the homes in bright living color, but that is where the convenience stops.

I discovered why most agents shun rental business.

1. Most of the data online is outdated, incorrect and difficult to make contact
2. Search functions can't be refined as specifically as I want
3. No one site has a lion's share of the listings
4. They (property managers) don't share info
5. Return calls aren't timely
6. Access to homes is difficult

Is this a good rant yet?

One young agent told me, "Well XXX company doesn't let Realtors show our homes. We show our homes to your client! BTW you can look on own website for a complete inventory."

"Really? No thank you." Me said.

I wonder if he ever stopped to consider I had a real live consumer in the car? A consumer who was paying me to assist her in finding a very, nice high end home.

The agent never asked my name, offered to assist with other properties nor did he inquire if I had all the info I needed. He just blew me off.

The other property I wanted to show was ironically a home I sold TWICE last year. My clients purchased it then got a great job elsewhere and left without ever moving in. I sold it again, now the buyers are off to who knows where.

Silly folks they should have called me, but no they have it listed for rent with yet another "management" company. This call was priceless.

Mind you, I'm sitting in the driveway of the property on Soaring Eagle when I call, because the contact number on the internet listing wasn't going through. So I DROVE all the way over there to grab a number off the sign.

The lady I reached after going through ALL THIS EXTRA WORK, told me to come back tomorrow at 4:30 when so and so would be holding the house open. HUH?

She proceeds to tell me all about the house, I stop her from wasting additional breath (in a nice way of course) and explain once more I'm VERY familiar with the house, after all I sold it not once but TWICE last year and know it would be Perfect for my client.

I happen to know there's a lock box on the frame of the front door and the home is vacant, "May we please go in?"

"Oh no!" she says, "You must come back tomorrow at 4:30!" End of conversation. Did she ask my name or contact info? No.

By tomorrow at 4:30 we will have decided on one or two of the multitudes of other properties currently for rent.

Is There A Solution? Yes!

Rants without a solution to the problem are nothing more than noise! So I would like to offer a solution, one that will serve both of our consumers.

1. Don't assume anything. Ask what we need, who knows maybe you can help us!
2. Rental homes should be showing ready on a few minutes notice. They are inventory just like homes for sale.
3. Delete, purge and/or update your data. Wrong data just ticks people off.
4. Lock boxes work on rental homes just as well as homes for sale.
5. I am a Realtor. I know how to show a home, quite frankly I'd prefer you'd stay away, you only waste my time or get in the way.
6. Use your head, a little common sense really goes miles...I'm sitting in the driveway for heaven's sake!
7. Cooperation works. That's why the MLS is so successful. Try it, you might like it.

There's Always Room For Improvement, It's the Biggest Room in the House!

When things like this happen, it makes us all look bad. I think we should encourage our clients to "shop us" and with that knowledge we should be ever on our toes! Just the thought of it makes me want to write a list of how to improve.

Calling All Consumers...

Consumers, mystery shop your broker, property manager or agent. Be a consumer and see how you get treated.

I hope your experience is better than mine.

P.S. Even though today's encounters were less than perfect, I did come across a few who really stood out doing their job and serving their customer. The few that didn't made everyone's life more difficult and left me scratching my head.

About the author: Krista Kraft is a Denver Realtor who specializes in helping clients find or sell their home. To search for Denver Homes visit the Denver Real Estate and Relocation website.