How a Sacramento Short Sale Offer Never Found Its Way to the Seller

Elizabeth, how frustrating for all concerned.  When I submit an offer I expect a return email or call or fax that is was received.  I put that in the accompanying note with my offer.  Please reply this offer was received.  If I do not receive a REPLY ... then I know it probably was not received.  Cyber space is not reliable when one is dealing with something as timely as a contract to purchase.

Elizabeth--A few years ago an agent dropped off contract, put it in the wrong mailbox, waited days without hearing back from the listing agent, then got upset to learn that her contract was not presented. As a trainer and manager I always stressed importance of personal contact with all parties. As always a good post, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, Indeed frustrating...for you and your seller!  With your system of tracking offers and contracts, you probably want to pull your hair out over this buyer's agent's lack of follow-thru.  I'd hate to have to be the one to tell those buyers that their offer didn't even get presented...

Hi Elizabeth... I have had the same experience!  It's why I call to confirm receipt of all offers that I submit.  As you pointed out, saying your going to be sending an offer and actually doing it are often two very different things.

Elizabeth:  I never send an offer without a follow-up call of receipt, or requesting confirmation of the delivery method via phone call.  If I email the offer, I will call and say, "I just emailed you an offer.  Can you please give a quick reply back when you receive it."  If I don't get that, I send it via fax, then call to let the agent know it's coming by fax.

Elizabeth - You are very right. I call to say I'm sending, and then call again to ask if it was received. Sometimes I just end up leaving voicemails, but I always note my file, and then often send an email as well. Then if I don't hear in a few hours, I call again. When we're working for buyers, we owe them the follow up to make sure their offer is at least considered.

Elizabeth - Knowing how connected you are to that Blackberry of your's, I can't imagine an agent not getting hold of you.  But I fully understand about faxes failing to make their destination.  That's why confirmation of receipt is SO IMPORTANT.

For those who haven't had the pleasure of having lunch with Elizabeth like I have, let me tell you that she NEVER turns her cell phone off.  I have literally watched her managing sushi with chopsticks while writing with her other hand the information on a listing appointment call.  It's a lesson in real estate gymnastics at its finest. 

We had an agent fax an offer to the wrong number and wait a couple days to find out why we had not responded...technology  is a wonderful thing...so is picking up the phone BEFORE you send the offer...

It is usually surprising to go to the office an find a faxed offer which the agent never called to tell me to look for it.  That agent's behavior was hard to excuse.

Hi Elizabeth, Short Sale, or not.  When dealing with offers, I think we should always follow up.  Maybe I'm paranoid, but I don't still don't trust email and faxes -- so many things can go wrong.

If I am sending an offer it makes sense to at least get a return receipt form the e-mail and that can be automatic. I would think the agent would make sure you got the offer.

Elizabeth, At times I wonder how some of these folks stay in business. I like the offers I receive that don't have a cover sheet. No clue where it came from. What an I supposed to do with that? This is a serious business that we are in and it needs to handled accordingly.