You Don't Want To Bother Your Agent, So You're Bothering Me?
Lorrie Semler originally blogged this featured post.
I always ask if someone is already represented by an agent, if they are, they need to contact their agent. If their agent is out of town or busy, they need to ask their agent what to do about that. The answer should never be to use another agent to show you a property, unless that agent has some type of arrangement with your agent.
To say that a real estate agent is just "in it for the money", may sound bad. But, aren't we all in our jobs, for the money?
I prefer to spend my available time tending to clients who are as committed to me, as I am to them.
You Don't Want To Bother Your Agent, So You're Bothering Me?
The last time I answered the phones at the office, I had two similar calls the same morning.
The first caller was looking for a place to rent and called about a specific property listed by an agent in the office, but which was no longer available. After talking to the caller and getting the criteria he wanted in a rental home, I suggested a few places for him to check out which were listed by other brokers. When he asked if I could show them to him that afternoon, I asked him if he was represented by another agent. "Well, yes, but I don't want to bother her" was the response. I told him that he should "bother" his agent to see the properties.
The second caller inquired about a $650,000 home for sale in a suburban town about 45 minutes away. Did I mention that it was raining dogs and cats that day? This caller had a signed a buyer representation agreement with an agent, as I found out before jumping in the car, driving through a downpour and spending 45 minutes in the car (probably closer to an hour, given the weather conditions). He wanted to see the house and he wanted to see it immediately. When I asked why his agent wasn't showing him the house, I got the same response as from the first caller: "I don't want to bother my agent." He became indignant when I told him I would not show him the property.
Buyers and renters, listen up! If you have a signed representation agreement with an agent, contact your agent to see homes. You are not "bothering" them. Give them a chance to do their job. If you are unhappy with your agent, when you get out of your representation agreement, I will be glad to talk to you about working with you as a client.
If you are not represented, I will be more than happy to explain buyer and/or tenant representation, make you my client, and help you find your next home. And you won't be "bothering" me when you want to see homes if I have correctly qualified you as
clients.
I always ask callers if they are represented by another agent or if they have a REALTOR friend or relative that will be helping them with the process. If so, I'm not going to help you. Let's please be respectful of each other's time.
This blog post is part of the 31 Days in May Challenge on Active Rain.
Lorrie Semler, e-PRO, GRI, SRES
Addison Resident/Addison Expert
Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate.
Keller Williams - Dallas Premier
972-416-3417
www.LorrieSemler.com
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