I have had a concern brought to my attention quite a few times since I started my For-Sale-By-Owner Marketing Company. It seems that there are people in our area that feel our local real estate agents only show their buyer clients their company listings. And are also concerned their properties will not be shown if they go the FSBO route to sell their homes.
One couple stated that, "the agent only showed his company listings and did not show them their properties of interest, saying they wouldn't like it." And just found that odd without questioning the agent.
Another gentleman had a listing he wanted to see and the Agent told him, "he couldn't contact the Agent listed on the property." With no buyer agreement signed, this buyer called the agent off his sign to see the property. The said agent was irrate that the previous agent had made no attempt to contact him regarding a showing.
Common practice? I sure hope not.
As a practicing Realtor for 7 years in multiple states, I know there are a few bad eggs in the field. Fortunately, they are few and far between and not the norm. Most Real Estate Professionals are out there to service their clients professionally and ethically. Anyway, failing to do so breaches their fiduciary duty to their clients and of the Realtor Code of Ethics.
Also, Realtors routinely show FSBO homes to their buyer clients. Why wouldn't they? In turn this will generate thousands of more commission dollars for the agent.
It is to our advantage as a community not to set such practices as normal routines. I feel I was trained by 2 of the best real estate companies in the industry; Century 21 and Keller Williams Realty. As new agents you are professionally trained on how to work with FSBO's and your buyer clients as well as exercise a high degree of care, skill and diligence in the conduct of the agents duties.
I hope to raise awareness of these concerns as well as others on my blogs and my website www.bellacasafsbo.com
Let's embrace the new ideals and business models of real estate marketing.
