Listing Agents vs Selling Agents | Why Can't We All be Professional

Listing Agents vs Selling Agents | Why Can't We All be Professional

There are a couple of posts discussing complaints of Listing vs Selling agents. My comments are too long for the posts so I want to voice my opinion here.

Since I'm primarily a Buyers agent, and I also list a few homes (currently have 2 listings) I see both sides of the coin.

As a Buyers agent, here is what I would request of Listing agents:

• Update the MLS sheet immediately when a change occurs. If the house is vacant I won't call you before showing, and I don't want to waste my clients or my time by showing a home that shows Active on the mls, and later learn that it is AWC-1 or Pending, but not updated.
  
  
• I also don't want to submit an offer on a home that shows Active, and later be told there is a contract on it and you're not taking offers, but don't have sufficient documents to place it in AWC-1.
  
  
• Provide accurate showing instructions in the Realtor remarks section; not in the document section, unless there are extenuating circumstances warranting special lengthy showing instructions. Have those instructions on a separate sheet so I don't have to read a book in order to find the instructions.
  
  
• If the property is occupied, be sure someone will answer the phone or return my call within an hour. When I'm making appointments for the following day showing, I need to make the appointments today. If a call isn't returned in an hour, then my schedule will be complete, and your property will not be on the list
  
  
• When you have Short Sale Instructions in a document, cut to the chase. Make them concise and brief. I do not want to spend 30 minutes sifting through 10 pages of how you work short sales. I know short sales and only need to know any special language for your clients lender, and where to email the offer. 
  
  
• When I'm submitting an offer, do not ask me to fill out a summary sheet with buyers info, address, etc. That is all on the contract. If you need it broken out, have your assistant do it. I'm not your assistant.
  
  
• Do not ask me to upload an offer to an online service where I have to spend 30 minutes learning someone's software. I will email you the completed contract and all necessary addendums, and if you want it uploaded to your online service, you will need to do it. My job is to get the offer to you by fax, email, or in person. Your job is to review and submit the offer to your client in any form that your client requires.
  
  
• When I submit an offer, please acknowledge that the offer is received so I don't have to waste both our time by telephoning or sending another email.
  
  
• There will be a response time deadline. Please respond by that deadline. If your client needs more time let me know and Ill ask my buyer. If you miss that deadline the offer will be off the table, and you will need to submit an addendum requesting an extended deadline.
  
  
• In AZ, our Brokers are required to keep a record of all rejected contracts for one year. If my contract is rejected please have your buyer initial Line 392 and return that to me for my Brokers records.
  
  

As a Listing agent, here is what I request of Buyers agents:

• My listings will be updated immediately when a change is made. If it says Active, it is Active and we're accepting offers. No need to call to ask if it's Active.
  
  
• Don't call to ask if we have an offer  before you show the house. You're wasting yours and my time. If it says Active, it's Active and we're accepting offers. When you're ready to write an offer is the proper time for that question.
  
  
• If there is a Supra box the MLS sheet will show either Occupied or Vacant: Lckbx. That is the terminology in the SEVRAR region for a Supra box. If there is a Contractor box instead of the Supra box it will state that and have the code. So please do not call to find out if the lock box is a Supra box. The MLS sheet is correct.
  
  
• If you make an appointment with the occupant, please arrive within a one-hour appointment window, or telephone the occupant and let them know you'll be late, or won't show.
  
  
• If my sellers are at home, they will have been instructed to only answer questions about the property and community. They will not answer personal questions about why they're moving, etc. Please do not ask.
  
  
• Please turn all lights off when leaving the house.
  
  
• Please Double Check that all doors are Locked before leaving. It is your responsibility and if my client reports that a door was left unlocked, I will submit that report to my Broker.
  
  
• If the house is occupied, please stay with your clients in each room. That will protect you if anything is missing. I recommend that you do not let them go off in separate directions. That is for my clients protection and your protection because you are responsible for your clients. If something is missing, my clients are instructed to call the police immediately.
  
  
• Please email the offer (preferred) or fax if you don't have scanning capability. I will acknowledge receipt of the offer, and my clients will respond appropriately within the required response time.
  
  
• Please be sure all required fields are filled out properly, initialed where required, and that all buyers sign all the documents
  
  
• Please include all required addendums completely filled out
  
  
• Please include any required special language. If the offer does not include the required special language it cannot be submitted. This is to prevent a waste of time in counter offers. The client is stating in advance that the language is not negotiable. If your client cannot agree to the language, then don't waste your  clients time submitting the offer.
  
  
• I represent the seller, and cannot fill in any contract fields for your buyer without violating my fiduciary duty to my seller. If the contract is not complete it will need to be returned to you for completion before being submitted.
  
  
• If you are new, or a part time agent and are not familiar with the contract, please have your Broker review it before submitting. 

If we can all be a little more professional in the approach to our business, and give a lot more respect to our counterparts in a transaction, then all transactions should go much more smoothly.

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