Where did my sign go?

By Judi Glamb

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Hearthside

June 30, 2007 04:03 PM

I knew this listing was going to be a challenge from day 0. I basically turned it down, once...

Literally, the sign disappeared, vanished into thin air sometime between Thursday and today (Sat). I will admit, I was not surprised, and to be honest, I was on my way to remove it and place an appropriate sign up in the appropriate place.

The facts ... mobile home with a lot lease in a small country mobile home park (4 to 6 homes) with this being at the end (nice location). I asked the home owner if a sign in front on the property was permitted, she said yes and I had seen signs out before. I still wasn't 100% comfortable...

The timeline ...
Tues - clients are on the move to their new home...
Weds - put sign up
Thurs - sign is still up
Fri - read rules & regulation - only small sign in window allowed
Sat - go to remedy situation, sign gone...

Now, there were two (2) phone numbers, one of them my direct line (to my cell). One would think as a professional token that they would call me or my manager and at least inform me of my misdeed. One would think that they would a least put the sign by the home (in the back). The sign was borrowed and of course the name rider was mine.

The plot thickens... The owners of the mobile home park do not have a great reputation. To thicken the soup more, the wife is a broker owner of a competing real estate company. I'm not sure if she is officially open - I'm told her office was emptied out (one woman show). Now, you can see why I lacked being surprised.

So I called the real estate office and left a nice message explaining that I was at the property to remove my sign only to find it gone. I politely said I was disappointed that I did not receive a phone call and that the sign wasn't anywhere to be found. I asked for it back, if nothing else if it could magically be put at the back of the home... I finally got the phone number of the brother that actually handles the park (remotely) and will call him if I don't get it back my Monday. Plus I plan on calling the office daily nicely asking for it back until I get it back or hear back from them that they don't have it (not that I will believe them - no one else has any motive...).

I am just a bit put off that they couldn't call. I've always treated them in a nice & professional manner when I've needed to talk to them in the past (a while ago).

Comments(10)

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» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator

» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

I feel your pain. Signs aint cheap. The cost of signs add up over time.

Try to be nice when pursuing them but be persistent.

Good Luck.

Jun 30, 2007 04:10 PM

Nattalie de la Mothe

Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors - Atlanta, GA

Selling Atlanta Homes like a Boss

Judi... I just don't understand why someone would take a sign?

I had an open house sign stolen once... So I know...

Dust off and go at it again... don't let a sign disappearance get to you... it;s the nature of the business

Jun 30, 2007 04:12 PM

MAUREEN STACCATO

Springfield, MA

I've had corner signs vanish and open house signs. Typical unfortunately.

Jun 30, 2007 04:17 PM

Eric Kodner

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

Sign thieves are definitely out there! Sometimes it's vandalism, sometimes a neighbor with an axe to grind or an overly-zealous homeowners' association person. And yes, sometimes it's a competitor who finds it advantageous to make your sign disappear from the neighborhood.

Good luck and don't be discouraged. Unfortunately it's one of the costs of doing business.

Jun 30, 2007 04:33 PM

Edith Wharton

Cottage and Loft Realty - Midlothian, VA

Realtor - Chesterfield VA

I have had my directional signs go MIA. Even one being pointed away from my listings road only and pointing towards another realtors listings road. Hmmmm...how convenient.

Jun 30, 2007 04:42 PM

Judi Glamb

Coldwell Banker Hearthside - Hellertown, PA

Associate Broker, ABR

I've had signs (mostly directional, open house signs) go missing. I know it is typical. Most of the time I chalk it up to youth pranks or a land owner that didn't appreciate the sign being on their property. I even had one taken by another realtor (an open, I had placed the open sign on her corner...).

I just would have liked a call. Plus I have been told to expect them to give me a hard time. Which I really don't understand from the park management point of view at least. I would expect the would like to see it sold asap for their own benefit. I don't expect to be able to put the sign back (as my client expects).

Funny sign story. I know of a seller who did a "late night drive by" on his own listing and "stole" the sign (neighbor watched) because he didn't like the realtor (signs been gone for months but it is still listed).

Jun 30, 2007 04:46 PM

Yep, the cost of doing business. Might have been a random act of unkindness!

I have at least initiated contact with the lot owner(s) and I am going to have to believe them when they say they didn't take the sign. The local couple said they were out of town. I was actually hoping they were the ones that took it due to the rule violation - now I have not idea of who, and if they will continue if I put another sign out (which I did get permission to do).

So I have a sign in the window and I'm going to try a small directional sign out front. We will see how that goes (hopefully it will stay).

Jul 03, 2007 04:02 PM

Angie Vandenbergh

Crye-Leike, Realtors - Memphis, TN

A Crye-Leike Blogger

too bad about the stolen sign. That's really frustrating. Could have just been some young kids though... a little junior high fun. Did you ever get the sign back or a call back from the company you called and left a message with?

Jul 13, 2007 04:39 AM

Angie - probably was kids. The land owners said they didn't take it (I kind of wish they had so I could have gotten it back). I have two small directionals on the property and a big one in the window. So far ok. I'm hoping to sell it this weekend!

Jul 13, 2007 06:48 AM

Update....

I spent most of today dealing with the property where the sign was stolen. Met with the seller who was back in town for the day and seeing if we could get an offer that came in this week on paper. We are almost there but have to get beyond one thing which is beyond control of the seller, the agents and to some extent the buyer - just something with the rules & regulations of the trailer park.

So I get through with my second trip up to the home, get in the car and there is a message on my phone - from a nearby township's police department. They have my "sign" in their possession! Can I please claim it. Apparently it was found on a property.....

I know my client was going to send me the money (she wasn't so subtle, even though she tried).

Now, I just hope we can work through this one problem - otherwise this is almost a perfect deal - cash and settlement within a few days (it's a mobile home so it's possible).

Jul 26, 2007 03:19 PM

Where did my sign go?

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Judi Glamb

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