Home : Blogs : Michael Klijanowicz - Relocation Specialist - Baltimore & Harford County : Michael D. Klijanowicz - Baltimore County & Harford County Real Estate Agent - WWW.ISELLMDHOMES.COM

55+ Active Adult Communities - Do you LIST THEM?

If you do, I have a request, LET THE OTHER AGENTS KNOW IT IS A 55+ ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY!!! The reason for this post is because I just met a very nice first time home buyer who comes from a very nice family that is looking to purchase a condo in the Harford County area in Maryland. Specifically she is looking in the Abingdon (21009) area. We went out and looked at a few condos and found one that she really liked. As a matter of fact, we went back out to that condo for a second showing with her parents and even one of her girlfriends that may have been going to live with her. We were ready to write the contract and I contacted the listing agent for the disclosures/disclaimers (I am not going to name names here as I don't want to throw anyone under the bus), and when I did, the listing agent told me that it was a 55+ community. Well, my first time home buyer is 24, not 55, so SHE CAN'T BUY THE CONDO! What a waste of my time, her time, her parents time, her friends time, the sellers time, etc ALL BECAUSE THE LISTING AGENT DID NOT PUT IT IN THE LISTING THAT THE CONDO WAS A 55+ COMMUNITY! BOY DID IT TICK EVERYONE OFF!!!!!

Posted by Michael Klijanowicz - Relocation Specialist - Baltimore & Harford County on 01/31/2009 06:59 PM

Comments (13)

55+ Active Adult Communities in the ActiveRain Channel

55 communities, harford county, real estate, condos, abingdon, maryland, agent, active adult

Originally posted at: Michael D. Klijanowicz - Baltimore County & Harford County Real Estate Agent - WWW.ISELLMDHOMES.COM: 55+ Active Adult Communities - Do you LIST THEM?

Post is included in group: War Stories
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Maryland Real Estate and Mortgage Group
Post is included in group: ETHICS and the REALTOR
Post is included in group: Baltimore, Harford, Cecil, Real Estate

13 Comments on 55+ Active Adult Communities - Do you LIST THEM?

JAN

Michael, even if it is in the listing, it is buried in one of the pull-down lists, and not easy to find. I recently had a 55+ condo and a number of inquiries from prospective buyers who were interested in the property, based on its description. They were very disappointed that it was age-restricted. Your experience and mine goes to show that there is a demand for NICE condos with lots of amenities, if only the builders would pay attention.

YOU ARE SOO RIGHT! IF ONLY THEY WOULD! They always seem to be one step behind...

Michael,

In Florida there is a place for this in the restrictions section on the MLS listing. We have so many adult communities, we would all be running around in circles if it was not stated in the listing. I hope agents in your area straighten up! Good Luck...

Diane Lombardino www.findwowproperties.com

I hope they do too, and I hope the one that had the listing I am referring to sees this post and finally changes her listing! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE OUT THERE!!!

I have some very nice listings in an active adult / 55 plus community in Hershey ,PA. This age restricting condition is mentoned on our billboards, radio advertising,websites ,print ads and listings.however we have still people show up that missed that information.

I think people look at the pictures, the price and the location and than get in the car or call .Not every one is familiar with the 55+ concept.I don't care if they show up and are only 25 years old .They might talk to their parents,friends ,etc.I do not see it as a loss of my time.If I brought some one to the wrong place I might feel bad because I did not do my home work. We as realtors are supposed to know what we are showing. On the other hand as listing agents we should give the right information .

I think that it is sometimes left out because many 55 plus communities have a bad reputation ,because they treat realtors poorly ,by not paying a commission or only a very small amount .You have to be very careful giving your clients information and address of a 55 plus community .If they go there by themselves, you as realtor loose out.

We at High Pointe at Hershey don't do that.No nasty tricks ! We work with the realtors and give them gladly their honest share. Our first priority is to help the builder to sell and buyers the condo they deserve.

This was not a new condo, it was a resale listed by another agent who has been in the business for a long, long, long time and SHOULD KNOW BETTER!

I always find something frustrating about other Realtor's listings. For example, they don't list the proper area of the address. (In Toronto there are multiple streets with the same name as it amalgamated a decade ago) so you can drive around for an hour and then realize you are on the complete wrong end of the city because the listing agent posted the wrong address.

Wow, that must have been frustrating.

Mike.

The long ,long ,long time in business might be the issue. She/he might have had had a 18 year old ,non realtor, do the listings on the computer. Some realtors are still in the stone age .

FEB

That would tick me off too, enough to send the agent and the agents broker a bill for my hourly time involved in showing a condo that could not be sold to my client because of their non-disclosure. I think they owe...

Hi Mike,

Sounds like it was a dramatic issue for you and your buyers. Some mention of it should have been made by the listing agent so we share your frustration.

We would say, let it go and learn from it. We're sure the other agent has realized their mistake. We don't think it was intentional though, simply a matter of omission.

Btw: are you representing any active adult communities in Baltimore?

Great blog post, and happy raining!

To her credit, I did just check the listing and it has been changed to include 55+ in the remarks. And Mary, I would love to send them a bill, however, we work for the same broker, LOL...

In Knoxville, that is considered, discrimination! Tennessee

FEB

Michael,

That is the pits. It really is bad when it within your own company.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?