An ugly day of home showings

Oh, Russ!  Believe me I feel your pain.  I'm having similar challenges every week here in So.California.  It sometimes takes two weeks to get my calls to the LA to be returned.  I call and leave messages at the numbers they provide when their VM isn't full...can't reach anyone at their office, send emails.  I've taken to submitting offers contingent upon interior inspection only to get a brief email in a day or two advising me the home has been sold!  Sold!  Sold?  How can it be sold when you can't get in and can't reach the LA? And, If it's sold why does the MLS still read Active...call LA to show.  How about the excuse they use...."Sorry I didn't return you call .....I'm so busy".  Like the rest of us have time to burn?  Especially now with the pressure of finding a home for our First Time Buyers that will close before the tax refund expiration date.  Come on people...How about a little professional courtesy?

I've vented and feel a little better now!  But I'm still submitting MLS violation notices of all these agents and hope you'll report incorrect listing info to your local MLS!  Hope it helps clean up some of the garbage that is wasting our time and our client's time and patience.

So maybe it was a blessing in disguise - too many options and it's hard for the buyer to make a choice.  And think of the time you saved by not having to go through those homes!

Well it sounds like both houses need a new agent in the area! They are doing a disservice to the sellers by not letting it show easily

There's a button on our MLS that says report violation. That's exactly what you need to do!  Report them for not having correct codes.  That sounds to me that they're trying to double end which is the same as offering conditional compensation.  I get this alot.  It makes me angry because I look unprepared and unprofessional.  VIOLATION on the agent that doesn't cooperate and can't do their job.

Russ - Sounds like you are a true professional - you managed to hang on to your clients and even write an offer despite the showing setbacks. Like many other associations our MLS has changed to Supra lockboxes to help eliminate the problems you encountered. It helped but there are still those that say contact LA to show - and guess what - they never call back. It always makes me wonder if the seller is aware of how difficult it is to show the home. Good luck with your 1st time buyers.

Russ:  Oh my gosh, I'm sure we all have many many stories of times we could not get into a lock box, or the key was missing, etc.  We even write into the agency contract where it asks about issues access homes that we may have problems with lock boxes.  Sorry for the bad day.  Hope they buy the one they like.

Most agents in our area use the Supra electronic lockbox system. That solves the issue of combinations for lockboxes and for thievery of lockboxes since you have to have the special combo to release the shackle. However it doesn't address the issues of incompetence and laziness on the part of listing agents.

I have been known to find a unlocked door or to open the front door with a knife in order to show a property. Life is never dull and if you have understanding clients with you it can even be fun!

Agents in my area, use Supra on the nice houses, and combinations on REO's.  Sometimes there is a combination that doesn't work.  I feel  stupid when I cannot get the lockbox to work.

Luckily, I've only had this happen a few times and of course the listing agent is no where to be found. Its quite annoying. I wish our MLS would require everyone to use the Supra lock boxes, but no such luck with that.

In California, many of the REOs are actually under the control of a management company hired by the bank.  They go periodically and change the lockboxes to ensure the integrity of the code, and especially if agents have been giving out the code.  That's why so many of them have two lockboxes:  One the agent controls and one the management/maintenance company takes care of.  I've had many agents tell me it could be **** or maybe **** because those are the codes the company use.  Perhaps that's what happened.  I'd hate to think they stole it.  If they don't have the code, how did they attach the shackle?  Just a thought. What annoys me the most is when the agents are nowhere to be found on a weekend, and you have to call for a code.  I try to prepare during the week, but sometimes the clients want to see something at the last minute.  Isn't it great that we really DO love this profession?  The hours are terrible and the working conditions are often difficult and stressful.  The rewards of putting a family in a home they love make it all worthwhile, though. 

I cannot help but wonder..

Why, in 2009, our industry still tolerates combination lock boxes?

They are unsafe, not professional, can be easily stolen AND Realtors and offices never seem to have the right code to open them.

SUPRA is the way to go.. an e-KEY costs around $150 to rent for the year and anyone wanting to call themselves a professional has to have one.

When I hire a Realtor, they agree, in writing to obtain a e-KEY withing 5 days (in the case they do not have one).

Even on REOs, combos should NOT be tolerated. The bank can, of course, have their combo box on the property so they have access, but they should obligate the listing agent to put a SUPRA on the property.

As an industry.. We should demand more instead of just accepting less.

Help lots of people and have a great day!

Patty Da Silva , CDPE©, RESS®, AHWD®, e-PRO®, GREEN, CFS

Visit www.pattydasilva.com for SouthEast Florida's best properties.

Supra is the way to go, The system electronically tracks who actually opens the door so you can accurately report the results to the seller. You can also restrict access times so no one can view after dark or become a squatter in a vacant home. You can always gain access as you are the professional who even remembers to re-charge the key pad.

In this upside down market it is tragic that we encounter lazy, inexperienced people who have no idea how the world of commerce works effectively. They faile to invest in themselves let alone in their profession.  They take the same test as us and do not comprehend the code of ethics.

In my market many agents are utlizing central showing service to set appointments.  They add several layers to setting up a simple appointment only to find the appointment is not confirmed until the agent calls you.  As a professional you call in advance, sometimes 48 hours, only to find you must also call this agent for access info. Time wasters.

I often arrive to find Combo lockboxes are not even returned to the locked position and the homes have sliding doors that are not locked.  I am amazed that banks forget what business they are...the money business, not the real estate business and should get with the 21st century for the safety of all concerned.   Dont get me started on turn around time for response to offers or accepting multiple offers that take an endless amount of time to process.

On the brighter side Russ, your smile, humor and blue sky got you through the challenges of the moment.  Yes, all these disasters reflect upon us as an industry and made it an uglu day for you and your prospect. 

Eileen Burns, Associate Broker metro Ft Lauderdale 

Sorry that you had a bad day Russ. At least you got the sale. Congratulations. I agree that codes should be updated on the MLS out of courtesy for those hard working Buyer's agents.

Congratulations!  And welcome to the world shared by appraisers.  Most appraisers have access to the MLS (in one way or another), and with the HVCC the way it currently is, most of them are hustling every minute just to try and make enough to pay their regular bills.  So most of them will get the realtor code of the MLS notes and head off to the property so they don't have to bother (or rely on) an agent who may or may not be available in the time frame that's important for the appraiser.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a property to find the lock box code is numeric rather than alphabetical, or vice-versa, or worse yet, electronic (Supra), and I don't have a 'key' with me!  And frequently, no one in the realtor's office is available who knows what the code is or when that particular agent will be back.  Appraisers (at least those who are still in business) are just hanging on by their fingernails right now and any way they can be more efficient with their time is critical.  It's not making them more money, it's just not costing them as much.

We have all had lockbox issues at one time or another, but why?? It is the listing agent's responsibility to ensure the lockbox is functioning properly. In the event it does not, and the office is called, I would hope someone would be there  "called the listing office no answer.  Sure it's Sunday but it is only 2 o'clock."  Having this happen throws the whole showing schedule off and is an incredible disservice to the seller.  I am glad, though, that even with all the nonsense, it worked out for you. 

Wow, that sounds like a hassle, not sure what kind of lockboxes you have down there but ours don't have codes. We each have our own high-tech password protected infrared 'keys' to access each lockbox. It's annoying when you forget to update the code for that month, but it only takes an extra minute to do it, buyer's don't even notice!

Thanks goodness for Supra Keys and our wonderful call center.  Those realtors need to have their heads examined.  They're not doing what's in the best interests of their clients if the homes can't be shown.

One other thing...I couldn't preview 2 houses last week because the keys in the lockbox wouldn't open the door. When I called one of the agents, she took a whole day to get back to me and told me to fiddle with the key.  I had already spent 15 minutes fiddling with the key and had gotten sweaty, mosquito bitten and frustrated.  Needless to say, I had plenty of others to show my buyers. This one dropped of the list Please make sure the blessed key works EASILY.  I'm carrying around WD-40 from now on.

OMG...that sounds like the showing day from H***.  I hate combo lockboxes, but they are still prevalent out here.  And I agree, the REO listings are the worst with access, thankfully I have only had that happen a few times and never more than one in a day. lol, at least your clients loved one house they could see!