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Sellers..Stop accepting mediocre work from your agents!

By
Real Estate Agent with Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon

 Not doing more than the average is what keeps the average down.
Author: 
William M. Winans

 

 

 This post is sorta a mini rant about how Sellers are accepting and receiving mediocre work from us agents (of course not the ones here on ActiveRain). Pretty much I can open up ActiveRain or other sites each day and there will be a post about working with an angry Seller that followed a previous agent that fell down on the job.

Today I opened up ActiveRain, and I read Gay Rosens' post I Honor ALL Referrals... where the Seller had referred a listing to another agent..but that agent really dropped the ball. Good thing she has a great agent now.

This just got me thinking though about how many Sellers accept mediocre work from their listing agents they hire. At what point though...do they have to own up to this themselves and either talk to their agent about things..or fire them.

I'm sorry, but if you have your home on the market..and your agent doesn't touch base with you in a month...good grief, somethings wrong. If you look on the MLS and see that they've taken crappy pictures of your home...SAY something! I know this is awkward for the Seller, but with so many great REALTORS® out there, you deserve to have someone that not only does a great job..but goes that extra mile for you.

 A recent post by Loreena Yeo 3 Little Secrets uncovered during Listing Appointments talks a little about what she offers as a listing agent. These are things that your listing agent should be offering you! I know I have a Quality Service Guarantee and marketing proposal that I sign and give to every Seller of things that I will do..these are the minimal that you can expect! If you're interviewing listing agents, ask them these questions:

    * How are you going to market my home? Have them show you marketing pieces, where they are online and everything they will do for you.

    * How often will I you communicate with me and how? This is VITAL to a smooth transaction. I use a weekly Seller Activty Report, but when you get that offer, daily communication is often needed.

Get this is writing and hold them to it! Selling your home is a team effort between you and your REALTOR®, if something isn't working, it should be discussed. I know there are things that can fall through the cracks...things happen, but I know most agents would rather you discuss it with them.

I know that during an interview many agents can talk the talk...but after you hire them...they really need to walk the walk and follow through on what they said they'd do.

Sellers...stop accepting mediocre work from your agents! Expect great service..you deserve it!

 

Posted by

 

Knowledgeable, Approachable, Service Oriented

Cindy Westfall ABR,GRI

Premiere Property Group,LLC

5000 Meadows Rd., Ste. 150, Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Cell: 503-819-5241      

E-Mail: cindy@cindywestfall.com

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Disclaimer: All views on my blog are my own and may not reflect that of Premiere Property Group. All pictures and content are my own unless otherwise noted. Please No Copying without my permission.

 Cynthia Westfall is licensed in Oregon State

 

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

These are great tips for the home owner to consider before they hire a Realtor they should interview them to make sure it is a good fit and the Realtor will be working to get their home sold.

Jan 27, 2011 06:33 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

"I know that during an interview many agents can talk the talk...but after you hire them...they really need to walk the walk and follow through on what they said they'd do."  I can't believe how often this happens and I hear stories about agents trying to get out of paying the referral fee also. Good for you for giving superior service. You'll shine by comparison.  Thanks for including the posts of Gay and Loreena. I missed them when they came through the first time.

Jan 27, 2011 07:31 AM
Pat Yoest
Century 21 Aadvantage Gold, 702-719-2100 - Las Vegas, NV
702-521-1442

I have a seller of two houses that I picked up on the buying end.  Both houses are listed too high and have been on the market for more than six months because of it.  The agent lowered her commission to hang on to him.  I know I could give better service however I am not allowed to solicit the listings of another Realtor.

Jan 27, 2011 08:34 AM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Cindy. Preach it. It is the plain truth. too many promises to few deliveries.

Jan 27, 2011 08:55 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Pat, It really does need to be a good fit..not only as to what they expect (this goes both ways),as well as personalities. Working closely together, you need to feel comfortable with each other.

Jan 27, 2011 10:52 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Jill, I was getting a little tired of hearing about how the Sellers are settling for horrible service when there are so many great agents out there that are very willing to provide it for them. We see those pictures taken of homes on the ML system that you scratch your head and ask.."what were they thinking"..but then again, the Seller has to have some kind of responsibility for accepting this and not questioning. It just lets those agents that are lax continue to give us a bad reputation..as you know the Seller will be telling everyone about how bad a job they did..and from the stories it's sad but true.

Jan 27, 2011 10:59 AM
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

I like the quote.  Keep raising the bar.

Mel

 

Jan 27, 2011 11:00 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Pat, This sounds like a frustrating thing..you can just do the best you can on your side though.

Jan 27, 2011 11:08 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Charles, It's one of those things that just gets me riled..Not coming through with what you said you would. In Gay's post, the agent fell short, but yet was right there to get that referral fee. Not good.

Jan 27, 2011 11:13 AM
Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Mel. Thanks..it needs to be raised!

Jan 27, 2011 11:13 AM