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Don't call for status.....if it shows active it is available (Unless it's not)

In this continually changing South Bay real estate market in which you just can't seem to avoid short sales and bank owned homes, I keep running across listings with the agent remarks "Please don't call for availability. If it shows active it is available." That's great and all, but it seems that more often than not I go view it with my clients, call the listing agent with a question about my clients wanting to write and offer only to be told.....it's actually in escrow. Now I realize that many of the agents that specialize in REOs and short sales have quite a few listings and may not market and promote the property like other agents, but why put this remark in all of your listings if you don't update them on the MLS? I get calls all of the time asking about the status of my listings and I've never really understood until now why I'm getting this call when it clearly shows that it's active....until now.

Home for sale....or not

Maybe the realtors should clarify in the notes "please don't call for availabilty. If it shows active it is available......unless it's not, which is probably the case."

Keith Kyle is a licensed Realtor and e-Pro with South Bay Brokers in Manhattan Beach. He serves his clients throughout the South Bay and his websites KeithKyleHomes.com and FindYourSouthBayHome.comoffer the most comprehensive real estate destinations in the South Bay with free MLS access, current home listings, open houses, recent home sales information and more. Keith can be reached at 310-251-2344 or by email at info@KeithKyleHomes.com

Posted by Keith Kyle on 02/03/2009 04:47 PM

Comments (4)

Listings in the Sales Strategies / Tactics Channel

south bay real estate, south bay brokers, homes for sale, keith kyle, mls, listings, bank owned homes, short sales

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4 Comments on Don't call for status.....if it shows active it is available (Unless it's not)

FEB

so true! I never get upset when an agent calls me for availability, as our MLS limits the types of status, so if we have a contingency, we have to show it as Active. I hear what you're saying, and its very frustrating on the vacant homes especially when we show it, the client loves it, and when I call for questions, I am told there were 9 offers and its closing next week. So...I call for availability on EVERYTHING now

In many cases the offer is sitting for weeks with a bank without a signed contract. It is verbally agreed, but there is no signed agreement. Thus, the agent can not put pending. This is the case more often than not. A phone call is suggested on every REO........

Hi Keith,

I feel your frustration! The shortcuts that agents are taking with short sale listings are so frustrating. Our MLS has a mandatory directions field and it's a tip-off that it's a short sale when you read "Use Mapquest". Not surprising I guess because often when you call with a question you get the impression the agent has never been to the house - no wonder they can't tell you how to get there. The whole thing is an atrocity since it brings down house values for everyone. This too shall pass - but it can't be soon enough!

Liz

Tim,

Thanks for the input. I completely understand that the nature of dealing with the bank, and the time it can takes, makes for a challenge as the bank may be reviewing it and they can't change to pending. My problem is that if it is pending.....than it should say pending....or they need to change that phrase that if it shows active it is active. That's clearly not the case and I just had one that this happened with this morning.

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