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Dear Mr Seller, There's a Dirty Little Secret Your Agent Isn't Telling You!

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Classic Gold, Carver MA

Dear Mr Seller,

I'm writing this letter and posting it online because I'm not allowed to have any contact with you without your agents permission. My hope is you find this while searching the Internet for reasons your home isn't selling.

 

 

I know, you really need to sell your home. You've already moved out and it's becoming a huge financial burden to you and your family. You're probably wondering if you may lose it to the bank.......   

 

Today, I tried to show your home to my buyers who can't wait to see it. They are only in  town for the weekend. The office you have your home listed with told me I need to call your agent to see the house and get the lockbox code. Your agent didn't answer his cell. It's Saturday, maybe he's busy doing something. Hopefully he calls me back tonight and we can see it tomorrow.....

 

It's Sunday morning, still no call. No one is answering at his office. Are they closed on Sunday? I leave another message to your agent, "my buyer really wants to see this house, please call or text me the lockbox combo"   I pull up the "Office Agent  Roster" in MLS, maybe someone he works with can help me........

 

Here's one! Anxiously, I dial their number, finally someone to talk to!  "Oh, he's skiing this weekend and won't be back till Monday" "Is there anyone covering for him while he's away?" "Not that I know of" "Do you have the lockbox combo for his listing, my buyer really wants to see it" "No, I don't, you have to schedule all showings through him"  Sigh....


It's 3:30 on Sunday, my buyers are heading for the airport now. They really wanted to see your home, probably would have made an offer.

 

Monday morning your agent finally returns my calls.  Here's the lockbox combo, show it anytime....."but, my buyer is gone" "Oh, sorry about that, nothing I could do, was away for the weekend"  "Nothing you could do?"

 

Dear Mr Seller, you will never find out about this, yet it happens all the time. In fact this is a totally true story.

 

You see, you don't know that the office your listed with doesn't use a showing service, and that they are not always open. You don't know your agent doesn't have anyone cover for him while he's gone. You never find out why your not getting many showings, "It's the market" your agent tells you. "You should reduce the price some more, then we'll get more showings"

 

He won't tell you about the agents who tried to show your home and couldn't. He won't tell you how his office doesn't set up showings or how he has no coverage when he's not there.


So Mr Seller, all I can do is type this message to you and post it online. Your agent is not doing the job you hired him for, and he won't tell you what's going on behind your back......

 

It's a secret.

 

Signed, A Frustrated Agent




Richard Byron Smith, NMLS #184479
Mortgage Loan Officer, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation NMLS #2289 - Chattanooga, TN
Mortgage Loan Officer

Wow. Important and little recognized problem. I don't think I was aware of how difficult it might be for a selling agent to schedule a showing.

Thanks

Richard

Jan 30, 2011 08:47 AM
Reba Haas
Team Reba of RE/MAX Metro Eastside www.TeamReba.com - Bellevue, WA
Team Reba, CDPE

Yes, this is one of many reasons that teams have evolved in this industry - oh, and if your MLS doesn't have the kinds of lock boxes that allow agents to call and schedule appointments without contacting the listing agent - then perhaps you can reach out to your local REALTOR office or MLS and begin to petition for a change.

Jan 30, 2011 08:49 AM
Trang Beuschlein
Homes for Sale in Campbell CA- Broker-BKR Realty - Campbell, CA
Campbell CA Real Estate - Campbell CA Homes for Sa

I run into this a lot-- I call the agent to schedule a viewing and they never return my call.  I then have to call them back because I want to service my clients.  Yes, I wonder what the seller would say if they knew their listing agent was not diligent in returning calls for viewings which ultimately could lead to a sale!

Jan 30, 2011 08:50 AM
Randy Ostrander
Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI
Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

I have had several similar situations Larry. I still think there should be a disclosure by listing agent of whether they work full or part time and whether they allow weekend showings. I don't mind if they do or don't but the seller should be aware of how and when they will be marketed.

Jan 30, 2011 08:53 AM
Larry Costa
Century 21 Classic Gold, Carver MA - Carver, MA
Realtor, MA Real Estate

Too many sellers think they are good hands when they are not. In my area some offices still accompany showings! We mostly have combo style lockboxes and there is a pretty good showing service called MaPass that handles this area. Problem is, most agents won't pay the few extra $$ to let them handle their listing.

Jan 30, 2011 09:04 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

In today's connected world there's not excuse not to be available.  I've got my cellphone on 24/7 and if it's not with me at the moment I usually check it every couple of hours.

Jan 30, 2011 09:28 AM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

This is one story I've heard before, actually I've been in your shoes a few time!

Your Friend in Charlottesville

Jan 30, 2011 01:15 PM
Diane McDermott
Realtor®, GRI, Landis e2 Real Estate, LLC - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Real Estate Market

What's sad is that you're absolutely right the sellers more than likely will never know what they've missed.  Buyrs are more than happy to pass on a difficult to view home

Jan 31, 2011 05:55 AM
Larry Costa
Century 21 Classic Gold, Carver MA - Carver, MA
Realtor, MA Real Estate

the unfortunate thing is it's the buyer's agent who sometimes looks bad when he can't get his clients into a home. If this is the first time with clients, doesn't create a good experience.

Jan 31, 2011 08:14 AM
Samantha Nichols
ERA Belsito and Associates - Plymouth, MA
Massachusetts Real Estate Specialist

One word for this area...MAPass! A wonderful service that takes the wait out of scheduling appointments, book your appointments online or over the phone. It's unfortunate that not everyone takes advantage of using it.

Feb 08, 2011 01:19 PM
Larry Costa
Century 21 Classic Gold, Carver MA - Carver, MA
Realtor, MA Real Estate

Sam, I wish it were mandatory!

Feb 09, 2011 08:06 AM