Your Listing Agent Called ME And Asked ME Where to Market YOUR Home?

Thom -- I am a few minutes late, as Kelli (#28) made mention of her apparently discrimatory comment.  As a loan officer, I wouldn't want to know that it was being marketed on such a basis.

Hi, Thom.  I'm not sure I would call either of them or not but I'm really leaning to not...
Knowing the conversation so far, a future call may well get into some troublesome areas very quickly. THEN she's likely go to her broker and tell that you were a BIG help and DID advise her just how to "reach these people"... 
In fact, I would not even want to have anything more to do with the seller either.
Good Luck either way!
Bruce

No. Pretend you're going door to door. Go to this home and say "Hello, I'm Thom and in real estate. My visit is not to solicit business so if your home is listed this is not a solicitation. --maybe you just missed the sign???   And offer "free real estate advise of community information . . . "  And see what they say . . . have a good laugh and maybe they will invite you in for lemonade and see what what happens. 

Thom, you should call that agent and ask if the seller(s) are going to suggest that YOU get half the commission for being the source of finding the buyers.  Why should YOU not be allowed to list the house yet be the source for the sale? 

Thom,

I'm stunned that this agent had the audcity to call you.  I once had an agent post a comment to visit HER open house where I was advertising my own for the same date; she swore her sellers had done it using her name.  (Because she wasn't blogging to market their property!)  Egads!  If a seller wants your expertise or mine, let them hire us.

been there, done that. it's ridiculous. you should try to convice that agent to give you the listing in exchange for a referral

Thom, I would probably leave well enough alone.  Considering Kathy WhyNot's lack of experience as graciously identified by #28, you will probably sell many houses in this neighborhood before she gets a clue!

That is shocking. I can only imagine how perplexed you must have been after that call!

WOW just amazing.  I would have told the agent to tell the seller to call you if they want advise and then when they do, say "Oh that's right, I am not your realtor - too bad you cannot benefit from my expertise". Enjoy the deafenning silence....click.

Clueless. Shameless. The real question is why this seller is not hiring you. I'd just have to ask him. 

As crazy as it sounds I do believe it!  I laughed when you said you actually told them where to advertise.  I liked your post, it was funny and well written.

I had the same thing happen to me recently.  I had an agent contact me to ask me if their listing was priced right and where they should market it.   I have also had 2-3 agents call me to ask me to co list with them to give their property more exposure.  Why would I do this?  Why would I accept half of my commission to give a property full exposure that I pay out the ying yang for? If you dont list with me, then you dont get my listing services.  Its that simple.  If I give my listing services away to others, why would sellers list with me if they can "get it anywhere?"

I do like to be helpful and considerate, which it sounds like you were.  But I have found that it is best for me to think about exactly how I want to handle this and get a statement prepared for future encounters (more are coming for you, Im sure of it!!).

A question about marketing to sexual orientation is way out of bounds and reflects not thinking about Fair Housing. I would be straight up and just say you can't help in that area, hang up, and eventually Thom your jaw can be picked up off the floor. Stunning question.

Just saying the words "I think it is the perfect home for a gay couple" is descrimination and a  Code of Ethics violation. And if she puts it in print.... definite legal trouble. This agent is clueless!

An interesting blog post that I enjoyed reading. Thank you for sharing it!

I say NO HELP, wait six months for it to expire and then call the seller and let him know by not using you in a declining market, it probably cost him 10% loss in value over the last 6 months but you will still do your best to bail him out.

Don't waste any more energy on this one. Just be prepared for the next call - it's coming!

Wow! If the seller didn't like/trust/whatever you enough to list it with you in the first place, why solicit your advice now?

As far as the sexual orientation of the house goes, that too is just weird. Not quite sure what would make the home perfect for any particular orientation.

Buyers will either like it or not, buy it or not.

Jacque & Larry

☂ Ugh, Thom, unfortunately in our industry we run into situations and people like this.  My suggestion - move on.  You're way above this.  Here's to a new week my friend!
Pamela

P.S - but I'm still curious...  so what did you decide? :)

My first instinct would be to call him back and tell them that where and how to market is an important part of what a client hires me for. That information is not given out unless I am hired by the seller. We don't work for free, but all too often we give our expertise away. Generally speaking, we do not own the property or the home that we are selling. That means that when we are hired, we are selling our expertise and our knowledge in marketing and other methods that we use to sell real estate. Seller clearly recognizes your expertise, but I'm guessing didn't hire you perhaps because you might not give a discount or you are not known for giving a discounted commission. There are tons of freeloaders out there and all they do is take up your time. I think you need to use a four letter word: NEXT!

I would not surreptitiously try to run into the seller to tell him directly as suggested by somebody earlier. Your professionalism will keep you out of that.