This is what an agent actually said to me one Saturday morning When I wanted to show her $780,000 listing...can you believe it? I often say that if the sellers knew how badly they were actually being represented by their agents...there would be more repercussions in our industry then there already are. I find that it is extremely difficult to show homes on weekends because the listing agent can not be reached and the lack of concern over getting access and information to buyers agents, in most cases, is unprofessional at best. Ahhh but unfortunately, this is a business of quick money and little effort for many agents. I have been in this business now almost 14 years, and it never ceases to amaze me how new agents come in, don't work hard, work part time at best and know it all...well at least for the 12-18 months they stay in the business.
Part Time Agents representing a listing. I do think it should be disclosed to the seller PRIOR to signing a listing agreement how many days a week the seller will be represented. This goes for full time agents as well if they take weekends off or holidays. I just think everyone should have a clear picture of the extent of representation they will receive before signing an agreement.
I had a client in town late in the week for a couple of days to look at homes on a Friday and Saturday. Per the MLS data sheet I called the listing office to set an appointment. The person that answered the phone told me to call the listing agent to set it up. No problem....yet, so I called the list agent and left a message, or two, or three and no reply.
Just before heading out to show other homes, the long lost agent finally returned my call. Here comes the problem..... She was angry that I kept bothering her on a weekend. As she put it "If I would read the MLS sheet, it says call the list office". She did hit full reverse when I told her that I called the office not once but twice and was told to call her... she apologized for being upset but it left me thinking.
If you have a listing, should you not be available to set showings and answer questions even on weekends? I am thinking a three minute phone call out of a 72 hour weekend should be ok if it meant someone else selling your listing while you out enjoying your day. Can you imagine how unhappy the sellers would have been if they found out just how much work it was to show thier home and that I never got to show it? I am not saying we need to work 24 hours a day but if we need time off, SOMEONE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO REPRESENT THE SELLER!
Well I never did get to show my buyer that home becasue the listging agent had to accompany and it did'nt fit her schedule over the weekend...but they did buy the last home I showed them that day...what a shame.
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