Stop flipping those burgers for a moment, and call me!

Reblogger Jon Quist

Real Estate Agent with REALTY EXECUTIVES TUCSON ELITE DRE# SA113961000

October 01, 2010 03:59 AM

Part time agents. The scourge of real estate. Sorry, but this is a REAL full time job. And I don't mean 40 hours a week either.

Real estate actually killed my golf game, except when I was able to play with clients.

I once dealt with an agent whose real job was working in the produce department of a grocery store. A real treat.

I recently wrote an offer on a short-sale home. The listing agent is a part-time agent and full-time burger-flipper (okay, I made up the burger-flipper part... but he works full-time, 9:00 - 5:00 at some other job, and is completely unavailable during the day).

The short-sale home is priced very well, and no sooner did we write an offer, than another buyer who recognizes "value" wrote an offer... so here we are (again) in multiple offers. (Don't let anyone tell you there are no buyers out there).

My sole method of communication with this agent seems to be leaving messages on his voice-mail, and then he returns the message in my e-mail. He sent me an e-mail advising of the multiple offers. We responded via e-mail, and gave our highest and best.

Over the next few days, we received a fully-signed contract, but surprise... the refrigerator and stove have been conveniently, and unilaterally removed from the contract.

I send a polite email: "Contract not accepted, you've removed the refrigerator and stove... they were not excluded in the listing... sorry, they need to be included... please have the first page of the contract amended and sent to us.".

______________

24 hours, no response.
______________

I send another, less polite e-mail and leave a voice mail. "The contract is not accepted, you cannot unilaterally remove the fridge and the stove. Call me to discuss".

______________

24 hours, no response.
______________

Are you beginning to see a pattern here?

I send a third, now terse, e-mail, another voice mail. "Contract NOT accepted. Call me!"

Let's see if the next 24 hours pass, with no message. Next call will be to his managing broker.
ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
-------------------------------
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate

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Rainmaker
535,205

Gay E. Rosen

Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty - Larchmont, NY

As Real as Real Estate Gets!

Hi Alan: Legally, if there is no refrigerator/stove then it cannot be called a kitchen, and the bank will NOT issue a mortgage to the buyers... so END of story for that agent. best, Gay

Oct 17, 2010 11:16 AM

Rainmaker
175,133

Randy Landis

Retired in Samar - Tupelo, MS

Overseas Retirement Consultant

I too have experienced these "unprofessional" courses of innaction with part-time agents. Maybe us full time agents should help the cleansing cause along in our business. Only wish I knew how we could help.

Oct 17, 2010 11:19 AM

Rainmaker
533,554

Jon Quist

REALTY EXECUTIVES TUCSON ELITE - Tucson, AZ

Tucson's BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

Gay,

Actually while a stove is considered real estate and is supposed to be there, a refrigerator as well as the washer and dryer are considered personal property and DO NOT have to be present. Think how many new homes do not automatically come with refrigerators.

Oct 17, 2010 11:32 AM

Rainer
209,593

Dennis Duvernay Broker/Owner

Hillview Realty - Northbridge, MA

I do hear what Alan is saying but I can say that I have dealt with some so called part timers who were much more professional than some full timers.....if they are not available they have someone from their office cover for them.....I think it has more to do with how the broker runs his or her office(making sure a part time agent is working on a team)...while I agree this is a full time dedication their are some very professional part timers...

Oct 17, 2010 11:36 AM

Dennis,

I hear what you are saying, and if the situation is handled properly then the client(s) would not be harmed. I like the thought of a team member.

The client's well being is all that ever concerns me.

Oct 17, 2010 12:01 PM

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