Home > Blogs > Michael Jacobs > About Pasadena and Beyond

It Was One of Those Head Scratching Moments

By Michael Jacobs

Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

February 22, 2011 11:57 PM

It Was One of Those Head Scratching Moments

Yesterday, I was previewing condos to show a buyer. There are two available in the same complex and both are vacant with showing instructions to go direct(no need to call for an appointment) and to use the Supra key lockbox. So far, so good. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Luckily, the lockboxes were in a central location and described as such in each of the multiple listing agent only comments --- to the south of the main entrance on a rail. When I approached the rail there were five lockboxes including a model that has not been used in our area for at least five years and will not work with our current Supra key.

I found the first easily -- the agents' business card was attached and inside the complex and unit key were identified clearly -- excellent! The second lockbox was also identified with the agents' business card but per the agent remarks it was sitting on the block wall adjacent to the railing. Yes, sitting there for anyone to pick up and take. This is a bank owned listing but does that really make a difference? Now, this particular railing was full of lockboxes but there was an adjacent railing to properly secure it.

I later sent an email to the listing agent of the bank owned property(her voicemail was full and not accepting calls)letting her know of the situation(she has to know it was placed there, right??). Do you think her client(the bank) would want to know.

It Was One of Those Head Scratching Moments

Michael Jacobs is a California Realtor and serves the Greater San Gabriel Valley area and adjacent foothill communities in the Northeast areas within the city of Los Angeles. He can be reached on his cell 818.516.4393 or michaeljacobs@coldwellbanker.com.

Comments(19)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Carol Zingone

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL

Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

I'm amazed at some local REO agents, who take what seem to be short cuts without any consideration for the impact and effect on the perception of them as professionals in the local marketplace.

Feb 23, 2011 12:00 AM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Evidence of poor service by a BULK foreclosure listing broker.

Feb 23, 2011 12:00 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Carol -- the perception is the reality isn't it? Today when I show my client the building, I'm going to tell her to stay at the entrance of the building while I get the key. There's no reason she needs to see the "loose" lockbox.

Lenn -- I'm not sure of her inventory level but it is certainly very poor service.

Feb 23, 2011 12:08 AM

Dennis Duvernay Broker/Owner

Hillview Realty - Northbridge, MA

Not right, but nothing surprises me in this business anymore...full voice mail doesn't surprise me either....

Feb 23, 2011 12:09 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Dennis -- I can give the listing agent a bit of a break(just a bit) for a full voicemail box if it was the only issue. However, combine the voicemail and the lockbox, it kinda seems there is a lack of attention to detail.

Feb 23, 2011 12:12 AM

Laura Pearlman Broker Associate

Gold Crown Unlimited, llc - West Palm Beach, FL

Excellence Through Experience and Resourcefulness

Hi Michael, UGGGGG that has to be one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, a listing agent with full voice-mail!!! It is just sooooooo unprofessional, yet they have the listings?????? As far as where they placed the lockbox....I second what Lenn said. Have a good day.

Feb 23, 2011 12:41 AM

John Durham

Durham Executive Group - RE/MAX/Results - Woodbury, MN

MS, MS, ASP, ARS

Michael

Many of these agents once the market starts to shift will find themselves once again struggling.

Feb 23, 2011 12:45 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Laura --- a full voicemail box is inconsiderate and mostly avoidable, I agree.

John --- we all have to be in top form as markets shifts, in my opinion. That makes us better as an industry.

Feb 23, 2011 12:57 AM

Justin Ochs

Diamond Ochs Enterprises - Nashville, TN

Real Estate Auctioneer

It's these character traits in the world that give me job security!

Feb 23, 2011 12:58 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Justin --- ahhh, so that's your secret! Very clever!

Feb 23, 2011 01:03 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Sounds like the runner for this agent wasn't thinking. Probably too busy texting their boyfriend or girlfriend to realize they had made a total bonehead blunder.

Feb 23, 2011 03:35 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Chris Ann - I thought so as well until I looked further and the listing agent put a gate code for the security entrance in her remarks and then a combination lockbox on the front door of the unit.

Feb 23, 2011 03:48 AM

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty

Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL

Florida Space Coast Homes

I think those agents that deal in bulk foreclosures do not always have the best service...or intentions for that matter.

Feb 23, 2011 07:46 AM

Dale Baker

Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH

New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy and evening to you Michael

Michael, I sure would have been shaken my head to seen that. When ever I call someone and their voicemail is full, that also makes me shake my head. You sure did everything that you could to give the listing Agent a helping hand.

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Feb 23, 2011 02:54 PM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Jeffrey - well, I am willing to give the listing agent a break --- so far no explanation from her yet. Just sayin'.

Dale - it's a shame the issue had to be addressed but I did what I thought was the right thing to do. Thanks as always for your comments.

Feb 23, 2011 03:14 PM

Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hey Michael, do you think you will get a response from the listing agent?

Feb 26, 2011 03:30 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Ann -- I didn't receive a response from the agent...and I didn't try calling to see if her voicemail was able to receive messages. As it turned out, I didn't show my clients this building --- it became apparent as I was showing them that it wouldn't work for their needs that were revised as we saw properties that day.

Feb 26, 2011 03:41 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Wow, free lock boxes for the taking, what an awesome place you live in. They cost us $100 here new and about $50 used. All you need to do is give them to my kids for 3 days and they would have the code figured out in time with ease.