Shifting Markets Require Educated Agents.. That Consult and Care! 7 things that Bug Me.

So I've seen and heard some craziness among a few individuals in our profession. Most of the unprofessionals left the business, but I still observe some these pet peeves of mine at times. I am not the perfect one, so if you ever catch me in any of the following, speak up!

1. Short Sales- my pet peeve is working with the other agent who represents the other side of the transaction and they just aren't educated on how short sales work. .. the good, the bad.. the ugly. My opinion.. if you don't know about short sales.. get educated BEFORE you start working with buyers and sellers, because they are trusting their Realtor to know and help them. You cannot be their fiduciaryagent if you aren't educated.

2. First Time Buyers and Bank Owned Property-many times buyers agents just don't educate themselves enough to inform their buyers that their lender's chance of approving a loan for a home with no heat, busted pipes and lots of fixes are slim to none!

3. Pre-Approval Letters- A real big one. A buyer called me earlier this week saying he was pre-approved. I looked at the letter and it said he was pre-qualified. I prefer to have a trusted loan officer consult and take a full application using desktop underwriting.  This young man was mis-led, and his bubble was burst.

4. Over the Top Over Priced Listings- Why do we still see 70% of our home listings overpriced. Why take a listing, invest your hard earned money and precious time on something that will not sell? We are all guilty of this... some more than others. What the heck are we hoping for?.. some schmuck buyer to fall from the sky who has "sucker" written all over himself?  I still see them $100,000 over priced. We do such a disservice to our sellers and the public when we aren't upfront about the comparables, absorption rates, etc.

5.  No Photos - Another big one. I cannot tell you how many buyers tell me that they prefer to shop online first. They will pick the homes they like based on the interior and exterior photos. If a listings has just one or two pictures, they will think something is wrong with the house. So now the listing just sits and sits.. 300..400.. 500.. 600 days on the market. OUCH!

6. MLS Descriptions on listings-Did you know that it is a given that the buyer expects the heating system to work, the septic system to be in good operating order. and the words "Motivated Seller" cry out "I'm desperate.".  Please stop listing the mechanicals. Use this valuable MLS space to "sell" the reasons why a buyer might like the house.  Instead of using "Motivated Seller", just get them to reduce the price.

7. Allowing Buyers to view homes on lock box without you, the agent- Did you know that if something were to happen, you could be held responsible? Your buyer could get hurt.. and if they went to the property without their agent, fell down on ice, stairs etc.. just NOT A GOOD IDEA..  Furthermore, it isn't the right thing. If you cannot make it, schedule a time when you can. IF the buyer doesn't understand and wants to work with someone else because you won't let them go alone.. find another buyer, it just isn't worth the angst.