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Just when I thought I've seen it all

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Lakeland

I was doing some research for a area that I'm considering marketing. To my amazement while reading the agent comment I noticed that the listing agent had put in the alarm codes to disarm and even had the location of where the keys pads where. This was for a home listed for over $1,000,000.00. (not that the price matters) I was also shocked to see that the first photo you see is one of the Pool. I know this is Houston and we really don't have a winter but I just don't see showing the pool is a strong selling point in December. Thoughts anyone?

Comments(14)

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Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Good grief...  why not just leave the Door Open?

And the Photo of the Pool - maybe in Phoenix in July, but not in Houston in December.

 

 

 

Dec 11, 2010 04:40 PM
Stacey Smith
Keller Williams Realty - Aliso Viejo, CA
Your Orange County Beach Cities Realtor

I saw that for the first time today myself its not so much careless ness of the agent as it is laziness.. They don't want to accept calls from other agents so they put any and all information on the MLS just so they don't have to answer the phone. That is very disturbing to me.. If you don't like your phone rings than find another job... I here Wal-mart is a pretty hoppin place to work this time of year.

Dec 11, 2010 04:48 PM
1~Judi Barrett
Idabel, OK

David,

Did you contact the agent and express your concern about the alarm codes?

I should think that someone needs to. 

 

Dec 11, 2010 05:03 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

A lot of agent do not think before they put things out there to the public.

Dec 11, 2010 05:15 PM
Jay Schmitt
Keller Williams Keystone Realty - Gettysburg, PA
Gettysburg Real Estate Agent

Ignorance is bliss. I can't even imagine doing something that thoughtless.

Dec 11, 2010 05:16 PM
Samuel Kahuila
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors - Mount Laurel Township, NJ
Burlington County, NJ

Unbelievable!! He should have hung a big "ROB ME" sign up!

Dec 11, 2010 05:37 PM
Rene Bayani
Crestridge Partners - Irvine, CA

Well....every occupation has their questionable people in it.  Don't suppose you sent a memo to that person to let them know about that obvious lapse of judgement? 

Dec 11, 2010 05:47 PM
Andrzej Niemyjski
Realty One Group - Sun City West, AZ

I'm assuming this property is on a lockbox system like Supra GE which real estate agents should be the only one having access to it.  If thats the case I do want alarm code and location of the key pad in the MLS as buyers agent. Most of my clients select homes for showing 5 minutes before our showing appointment.  Calling listing agent is no problem but if he or she do not answer the phone call that property gets skipped.

Dec 11, 2010 06:10 PM
Robin Risley
Kamali Sotheby's International Realty - Cannon Beach, OR
CRS, GRI, Principal Broker

Wow, it is hard to believe that an agent wouldn't be more careful.

Our MLS has a rule about putting a construction lockbox code in the remarks. If there is a penalty they might remember.

 

Dec 11, 2010 06:14 PM
Jon Quist
COLDWELL BANKER Howard perry and Walston - Clayton, NC
THE BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

We have strict rules against that sort of thing here. Can't believe Houston doesn't.

Thoughts? Yeah, report the agent. He's either stupid or lazy. Someone needs to look out for that poor seller.

Dec 11, 2010 06:38 PM
Myrna Ziller
Guarantee Flex Office Fig Garden Village - Fresno, CA
National Association Of Realtors ( N.A.R.)

David:

I have seen this here in Fresno, CA too. The first MLS photo is the pool. Usually if this is the case, the home usually is not in good shape.  This home sounds like it was a very nice home. At least you had the alarm codes. I have shown some homes and the listing agent did not mention there was even an alarm. Upon opening the door, there went the alarm. The phone rang and it was the alarm company or police. I introduced myself on the phone. They immediately knew what had happened. I was then instructed how to turn off the alarm. This means that some agents should not be in real estate. Good blog David.....  :)

Dec 11, 2010 06:39 PM
Cameron Novak
The Homefinding Center - 1000 Palms, CA
Real Estate Broker since 2008

Are you all saying you don't post lock box codes in the agent comment section?

The agent comment section is ONLY for licensed agents who we should be able to trust as ethical agents who will not disclose privacy sensitive information to others.

If they want to give the info to others... what is the difference if they call for the codes, and then give them to someone else???

Dec 11, 2010 08:08 PM
David Jordan
RE/MAX Lakeland - Cypress, TX
CDPE, SFR

The house is on Supra and you still have to call the showing service to schedule the appt, and your right Cameron, in a perfect would ONLY "ethical" agents are the ones that read the agent comments. However, the world is not perfect. If someone wants to break in a house they're going to. I just don't think we should make it this easy. Have a great day everyone!!!

Dec 11, 2010 11:31 PM
Andrzej Niemyjski
Realty One Group - Sun City West, AZ

Actually I would think its safer in MLS than if you provide it over a phone.  Just think about it if you were listing agent and you got a call from a person who claim to be real estate agent what questions would you asked?  Whats your name? Company you work for?  Your license number? At least in my state all of this information is public knowledge and they can print that off directly from Department of Real Estate website.  The only other piece of information that you possibly could ask is what your mls id but that person could get that as well.  So I would say keeping in MLS is safer than giving it out over a phone

Dec 12, 2010 02:54 AM