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Agents BEWARE! Outside-The-Box-Thinking-Agent May Be Calling YOU!

By
Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

Agents BEWARE!  Outside-The-Box-Thinking-Agent May Be Calling YOU!

Thinking outside the boxI have a listing for a dear, repeat client of mine who is selling his rental properties in an effort to consolidate and purchase a large 'project.'  I've had one particular home on the market for longer than I would like it to be on the market, and we've had no serious, worthwhile Offers to date. 

We've reduced the price to WELL below the market range but, we're having issues with the location of the property.  SO, we again, reduced the price after I consulted with others at my office as to how to manage this particular property.  I've done everything suggested and still, nothing.

SO, I discussed with my seller, using another agent with another firm to share the listing with me in the hopes that she could bring some insight into the dilemma that we're having.  Her credentials:

  • She works the same area that I work, where this property is located
  • She is probably the most progressive agent in her firm and does alot of blogging as well
  • She would bring a fresh set of viewpoints to help my seller get his home sold

I phoned the agent, who I also happen to think the world of, and she said that she would mention it to her Broker-in-Charge to see if they had a problem with it.  This week, I received multiple emails from agents within her firm, with this forwarded message from their firm's Broker-in-Charge:

Subject: agents beware!

Debe Maxwell, with The Maxwell House Group called one of our ___*___ Agents and asked her to co-list a property that Debe currently has on the market.

Why didn’t she offer to share the listing with one of her own agents?

*I removed the name of the office to protect the firm and their agents

Now, I'm assuming that this BIC is worried that I am recruiting her agent!  Here are my thoughts, at least as clear as I can possibly write at this point, as I'm a bit ticked off by this--

  • HER agents are forwarding ME her email!  Hmm...Perhaps I DO need to do a little recruiting!  Most agents who sent me the above email even went to the trouble to cut and paste into their private email accounts--not the company's system from which I later found it was sent!  Looks like I'll be booked for lunches for a few weeks!
  • The agent whom I contacted to help with this property is a trusted friend of mine--whom I recruited for her firm!!  If I were trying to recruit, I certainly would have taken her to lunch or been completely STRAIGHT with her!  Why back-door recruiting by giving up 50% of my commission on a sale to help a seller?
  • Speaking of which, that was my ONLY motive--getting my seller's home sold for THEM!
  • I'm assuming that their firm doesn't want anything to do with a sale in my area of town - they're passing this up based upon fear that I'm recruiting their agent!  Really?  Do they not understand that every agent in town has minds of their own.  If the agent wants to change companies, they would certainly do it without my giving them 50% of a sale as 'bait'!!

This move had nothing to do with me...it had everything to do with helping my seller!  Period!

I'm just thankful that all of my friends who forwarded the message to me know that's what I'm about--doing what needs to be done for my clients' success--nothing more, nothing less. 

Did I say, this is not about me?...It's about taking care of my clients by thinking outside the box!  OH goodness--AGENTS BEWARE!

Comments (23)

Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Debe, I think many brokers live in paranoia. And if they don't think their company is as strong is it could be, once was, should be - take your pick, then the broker is threatened by you. The email says a lot about the broker, doesn't it?

Sharon

Aug 07, 2011 04:36 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Donna:  That's true!  I just don't really know how to handle this.  I know and have always admired the BIC who sent this--and I thought the feeling was mutual!

Steven:  It does but, it doesn't sound like her style.  That is what is so weird about the whole thing.  I remember when I decided to help list my relocation clients' exit city homes on the market to help get their homes sold, she thought that was brilliant!  Go figure?

Stacey:  Right!  I thought I was doing a GOOD thing--and I actually thought they would be glad to participate too.

Sharon:  I can't imagine living like that!  Honestly, we don't 'actively' recruit in our office--we focus on supporting the agents we have!  Of course, I'm happy to talk with anyone who is interested but, I'm not knocking on doors or taking folks to lunch...at least not yet!  LOL

Aug 07, 2011 04:55 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Time to recruit dear! Take it and run with it...lol. Suggested.

Deb

Aug 07, 2011 05:25 PM
Leslie Ebersole
Swanepoel T3 Group - Saint Charles, IL
I help brokers build businesses they love.

Debe: in our area we might refer a listing to another broker but I've never seen a co-lisitng between 2 brokers in our mls. The sponsoring broker issue would probably prohibit this...

Aug 07, 2011 05:56 PM
Gail Robinson
William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT
CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Debe - Our office does recruit top agents, but it's always through lunches and follow-up phone calls.  They'd never do it through a co-listing.  They make you sound like a gateway drug - one transaction with Debe and you'll never want to come back to our broker firm.  I've never had a co-listing with another firm, but I can see where it might make sense.  More often we just refer listings to another firm, if the fit isn't right.  Co-listings are pretty rare in my area and probably in yours as well, thus the concern that this is more than what it seems.

Aug 07, 2011 06:14 PM
Petra Norris
Lakeland Real Estate Group, Inc. - Lakeland, FL
Realtor, Lakeland FL Homes for Sale

Debe - you surely were thinking outside the box trying to help your sellers - kudos to you.  Paranoia is what the BIC has.  I've seen co-brokering in my MLS but it is seldom, have you tried with another agent? 

Aug 11, 2011 03:22 AM
Justin Dibbs
Fairway Independent Mortgage - Ashburn, VA
Mortgage Advisor

Wow, than really stinks.  I have found in my travel that most brokes are very paranoid and most don't even act professional when you leave their company.  Sorry to hear about this D.

Aug 11, 2011 04:32 AM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

Nothing like letting your insecurities show through a blanket email! Collaboration is ONLY possible when both entities are strong, secure and have something worthwhile to bring to the endeavor. No wonder agents in their camp may wish to leave. I love your strategy and your thinking of your client FIRST! If that nets you a new good agent or two... then hooray!

Aug 12, 2011 01:03 AM
Lexie Longstreet
Savvy + Co. Real Estate - Charlotte, NC

Maybe that BIC was looking at the company rankings... and saw that we are right behind them!  Eeekkkk... I agree with Gail (#8)  you are addictive!  

Aug 12, 2011 11:57 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Deb: Ya think?!!

Leslie: I've shown properties belonging to another agent in this same firm to whom I refer, who was actually co-listed with another firm. We don't routinely do this but, I will do anything within legal limits to help my sellers get their properties SOLD!

Gail:  You're too funny!  I do try to be good on the other side--I WANT buyers agents to bring their clients to my listings and KNOW that they'll experience a painless transaction.  

Petra:  No but, I have told sellers about this email and they have said I should try someone else if that's how I want to go with this listing.  They're okay with keeping just me but, they thought that if I thought it would help, try someone else!  I do love the other agent though and feel like it is only paranoia--they all know me fairly well and know that I'm as direct as can be.  So, obviously, I'm NOT asking her to join us--perhaps I need to invite a few who have commented on the email to me though!!

Justin:  Well, I never thought this one would EVER do anything like this--I have held her in the highest regards for years.  I'm thinking it's likely owner-loyalty speaking but, didn't really want to??

Jen:  Well, the agents letting me know about this are obviously not committed, right?  Perhaps I need to get those lunches scheduled sooner rather than later, huh?!

Lexie:  30 agents on the heels of at least 5 times that many...I'd say we're doing freaking fantabulous!  And, you're pretty addictive yourself--that was a great cross-sale last month!  And, BTW--she LOVES her new home!

Aug 12, 2011 12:28 PM
Kirsten Lindquist
Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA
Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

Debe:  We do have co-listings with agents from different brokers in our market.  I think it's a great idea...especially in terms of obtaining listings.  From the client perspective is makes perfect sense.  Two brokers working to sell a property is truley twice the marketing power.  Maybe I'm in the minority here but I think we'll be seeing more of this down the road.

Aug 12, 2011 12:36 PM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

I love your ideas Debe and it is incredibly forward thinking...i need to discuss this with my broker for future reference..go girl!!

Aug 12, 2011 12:40 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Sometimes I co list for for exposure... seems very logical to me.

Aug 12, 2011 12:52 PM
Kenneth Cole
Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

You really are a great person Debe, my agency would not accept this.

Aug 12, 2011 01:00 PM
Maya Swamy
Funds Available - Long Beach, CA
Ph.D. Long Beach, CA - fundsavailable.com

Seems like creative thinking but many brokers I know wouldn't acceot it.  The mass e-mail does reek of paranioa though.

Aug 12, 2011 01:19 PM
Larry Story ALC
Total Care Realty - Greensboro, NC
Beneath it all is the Land, Covering all of NC

Debe,

We live outside the box and are constantly trying to find more ways to market our listings.  Haven't thought about that but it is a good idea.  However I agree with some of these other commenters in that the BIC is paranoid and obviously insecure.  So it does look like you have some more prospects on the radar

 

Aug 12, 2011 01:21 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Debe, I can remember when I was a branch manager for my old company.  And recruiting efforts, real or imagined, never made me popular with the brokers whose agents were on my list.  Oh well.  Sounds like you're doing a wonderful job of getting your client's home sold.

Aug 12, 2011 02:38 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Debe, I was invited for a weekend for a meeting in another State, than was lodged at the Four Seasons for the whole weekend. Had a great time, did not make the switch, BUT NO I did not get to share a listing. If anyone thinks that is a recruiting ploy OH Well let them say and think what they want as long as you sell the property:)

Aug 12, 2011 02:49 PM
Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Debe,

I know what a class act you are!  And apparently the senders of those emails do as well.  Anybody who knows anything about you at all knows that your intentions were to sell that home.....PERIOD!

Aug 14, 2011 04:52 AM
Olga Diaz
COLDWELL BANKER TOMLINSON - Pullman, WA
Potter, Mng Broker, CRS, ASP, ePRO, ABR

Debe, I'm sorry this happened to you.  It is clear that your intentions were to assist your client in the sale of his property.  I find it sad sometimes that we can't speak to agents in other offices without it being taken in a negative light.  There are times that hearing advice from a professional colleague is beneficial irregardless of what office they work for.  Thank you for posting.

Aug 15, 2011 11:41 AM