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The Lazy Agent Series: #2

By S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL

Real Estate Agent with United Realty Group, Inc. BK641413

June 21, 2007 10:20 AM

Yesterday I introduced "The Lazy Agent Series" and it seemed to strike a nerve with those who commented. I suspect this is because those of us who work with buyers are forever frustrated by the quality of what we find on the MLS. In a few of my 'old' posts, I'd given examples of funny typos in listings and showed a funny example of "before & after" photo editing and have even blogged about how the MLS is the best under-used marketing vehicle we have as real estate agents.

For those of you who wondered whether one of the items on yesterday's photo was a puppy head, please read one of my last comments (my reply to Carole Cohen) as I think I solved the question. As for today's installment in this series, well... I'll let the photo speak for itself. I only ask that you take a good look at it before you brush it off as just any ol' example. I assure you, it is not.

Is it real or is it Memorex?

It's voting time again. On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being "not so bad" to 10 being "the worst", how would you rate this photo, keeping in mind the title of this series (The Lazy Agent).

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Charlene Hammontree

616 Realty LLC - Rockford, MI

Meeting the needs of Buyers and Sellers in MICH

Check out this group/blog ~ Real Estate Photos that Make you smile ... or wonder what the hey?

Jun 21, 2007 02:18 PM

Dena Stevens

Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO

Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004

BTW, welcome back Leanne. I haven't seen you in forever! Thanks for the lesson. I may never feel bad about my own pictures again. Mine aren't perfect but at least I leave the office to take them.

Jun 21, 2007 03:45 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

The picture with the loving dogs circulated around the internet a year or two ago! It is so funny! I think that it says a lot about why the public doesn't see the value that their seller's agent brings to the transaction. There are agents that not only use horrible pictures, but they don't fill out the MLS form.

Jun 21, 2007 03:54 PM

Doreen McPherson

Homesmart ~ Scottsdale ~ Tempe - Tempe, AZ

Phoenix Arizona Real Estate ~

I don't understand how these agents make a living. Who buys these listings and who wants to list with them?

Please close the blinds.

Jun 21, 2007 04:53 PM

Amber Smith

ERA Showcase Real Estate - Yuba City, CA

Hey... this agent liked the picture so much they are using it as the background photo on their computer.

The one thing I notice is that my eyes keeps getting drawn to the bottle of what looks to be some sort of spray cleaner on the left side of the picture. My mind keeps saying 'Germ Free'. That was nice thinking on the agents part. I mean, who doesn't want a clean kitchen.

10 all the way.

Thanks for the fun Leanne!

Jun 21, 2007 07:26 PM

Mitchell J Hall

Manhattan, NY

Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn

What were they thinking? The seller probably emailed a photo and the agent took a photo of the computer screen. Hideous is the word that comes to mind. I wonder how that agent prepares the house for showings?

Jun 22, 2007 12:50 AM

Kelly Sibilsky

Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL

Another wonderful example of lazy agents! Here's one for you...I recently closed a deal with a lazy buyer's agent who:

a. Would not deliver the offer and earnest $ check to my office (it was too far to drive!). I drove to get it and he was in shorts & flip flops...

b. Would not assist his clients in filling out the disclosure forms (resulting in missing initials and a one-week delay)...

c. Would not assist his clients in completing the necessary condo association paperwork so they could move in on time...

But...he did manage to show up to the closing to pick up his check! I found out at the closing that he is a full time stay at home Dad and real estate is his "part time" job. Plus, he works for a company where they rebate 20% of commission back to the buyer. So there you have it.

Jun 22, 2007 01:52 AM

Ruth Ann Mertens-Oklahoma City Real Estate

Paradigm AdvantEdge Realty - Oklahoma City, OK

All I can say is, I know this photo would make me absolutely want to buy this house! (Is it still available?) I can only hope!

Jun 22, 2007 02:19 AM

Lori Hakeem Oxley

Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. - Tampa, FL

Wow, is all I can say!!! I can't believe the agent got away with being so lazy!

I've also been working with a LAZY agent that told me that she "wrote four contracts this week and didn't feel like writing another." Can you believe that?? I am working with the buyer and felt like telling her I wrote the contract, now go get some initials!! How sad that the seller is paying commission to this "professional"!!!

Jun 22, 2007 02:41 AM

Richard Parr

ADT Security Services - Slidell, LA

Home Security Specialist - Greater New Orleans, Louisiana

Lori - Some of use are working so hard to get deals and would provide stellar service to these clients. Why on earth would anyone put up with that?

Jun 22, 2007 04:14 AM

Lori Hakeem Oxley

Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc. - Tampa, FL

I totally agree, Richard!!! I have been so aggravated by the situation, her broker was made aware of what happened and her constant delays, but to no avail...it amazes me. I can tell you if I see a house with her sign in front, I am driving away....QUICKLY!!!

Jun 22, 2007 04:28 AM

S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL

United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL

Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

Ryan - you should've seen the other photos! Ick!

Scott - hard to say, but based on the comments I'm getting, South Florida is not the only area with lazy agents.

Jennifer - you almost fell off your chair and I couldn't stop laughing out loud!

Hilary - Surprisingly, I truly don't see a huge difference based on the type of brokerage (discount or not), but rather the individual agent more than anything.

Cathy - I'll bet the photos of that house look awesome!

Paul - I agree. That photo made the rounds on the Internet 2-3 years ago and it's hard to forget!

Gary - a little bit of 'staging for photos' can go a long way towards better photos.

Jennifer - Thanks for the visual... ewww!

Tim - that's certainly one possible scenario.

Charlene - yikes!

Dena - Thanks for the 'welcome back'! ...and I'm sure your pictures are just fine.

Joan - Don't get me started on lack of data on the MLS or the validity of it! I already have my hands full with this series!

Doreen - There will always be sellers who don't do their homework and agents who don't hand theirs in.

Craig & Amber - Yeah, that spray bottle got my attention, too.

Kelly - rebating 20% of commission back to the buyer is the least they could do for that lack of service.

Ruth Ann & Henry - my lips are sealed. :-)

Lori - I guess she doesn't need the money, huh?

Richard - I think the bottomline is that sellers are not privvy to a lot of what goes on and our hands are tied. Also, the public doesn't realize that who they pick can affect whether their home is shown or not (as a few commenters on this series have mentioned).

Diane, Richard, Carl, Ken, Debbie, Wendy, Kathy, laurie, Teresa, Charlene, Tricia, Calie, Mitchell - Thanks for your comments and if you enjoyed this one... check back this afternoon when I'll be posting the newest installment to the series.

Jun 22, 2007 05:40 AM

R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham

Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC

Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

I love the picture of the dogs humping in the window! I'd agree with you regarding the pictures, but I also have to say that taking interior pictures can be difficult unless you have the right equipment. I'm getting ready to spend a fairly sizable amount on camera equipment to take care of this problem!

Bob Mitchell

VAlueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

Jun 22, 2007 06:40 AM

Mother Lode

Real Living Sugar Pine Realty - Sonora, CA

Real Estate Master

Is it just taken of the computer screen after being found online and used as a desktop image? I think I'm going to be taking all of my pictures from now on like this. Love the series.

Jun 22, 2007 08:18 AM

Michael Eisenberg

eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Real Estate Guy

Jun 22, 2007 08:28 AM

S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL

United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL

Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

Gotta Wear Shades OK, my latest installment into "The Lazy Agent Series" is up and ready for viewing.

Be forewarned, however, you may need your sunglasses for this one!

Jun 22, 2007 08:36 AM

John Hurlbut

Keller Williams - Puyallup - Puyallup, WA

I'm sure someone else pointed it out too, but I love how the home "Lists" to the right . . . Hang on folks, we might be going over! But notice how everything stays on the counter without sliding! That's talent!

Jun 22, 2007 12:27 PM

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Not as bad as others. 7

Jun 22, 2007 02:02 PM

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Sure doesn't take much to take a photo of a photo! Good grief!

I'm giving it a 9. It's bad, but it could have been worse. At least there is no half eaten moldy food on the counter.

Jun 23, 2007 12:07 PM

S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL

United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL

Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

Bob - I don't expect pictures to be perfect, but I do expect decent quality pictures of properties listed in the MLS. Quality equipment is nice, but even the most inexpensive digital camera should take decent shots and there are plenty of ways (some free!) to learn to take better photos - indoor or out.

Mother Lode Master - there was more than one photo for this listing that showed evidence of them being photos of photos on a computer monitor. This one was not the exception.

Michael - Thanks for voting!

John - yeah, I saw that, too and thought "they forgot their V8" that day!

Frank - There will always be worse examples! Thanks for voting.

Carol - yeah, I guess we can at least give them credit for that.

In case any of you are interested and have missed others in "The Lazy Agent Series", here's a link.

I also started a new (2nd) series titled "As Seen on the MLS" for photos that don't quite fit that title but are educational & interesting in their own way.

Jun 28, 2007 06:30 AM