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Taking Care of your Seller at What Cost?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Sonoran Living SA572600000

Doing the right thing to take care of your clients as a Real Estate Professional is something I believe and live by.  I have found not all agents feel the same way.

 

When you take a listing your number one purpose is to get that property sold for your client for the most money in the least amount of time.  If that means opening the property for another agent’s client once in a while, you do that- it doesn’t make them your client or so I thought…..

 

Recently I was thrown into a situation that I don’t understand.  I have a buyer –  got them qualified and had a buyer consultation with them (like I always do) Set them up on a custom search and have taken them out and show property.  Like most agents, I have more than one client and had committed to showing properties to another client when a property showed up that they wanted to see- our MLS also shows when a property is going to be open with an open house. This property was having an open house so I suggested to one of my buyers to initially view it without me, be sure and tell the agent that you’re being represented by an agent and give them my name.  If she liked it, we would go back bring her dad and go from there. She fell in love with this property and called her father to come and look at the property because she really liked it- all the while I’m still showing property to my other clients …. When he got there an hour later, the open house was closed so he called the number on the sign knowing his daughter was there and had already stated she was working with an agent.  You guessed it, the listing agent that came and opened up the property for my client is asking for procuring causes. They sent over a referral  and are charging me a 30% referral fee for opening up the property to my client even though she had already viewed it during an open house with the agent that was holding it open for them. When I suggested the listing agent speak with the agent that held it open I was told they didn’t remember her being there nor did they have a sign in sheet. 

Now I can protest this but that means bringing my clients in on this- and that’s not something I am prepared to do.  So I signed it- am taking care of my clients and have asked for  additional referrals from them.

In the past when I’ve gotten calls from potential buyers on one of my listings the first thing I ask is how they saw the property and if they are working with an agent.  I have on more than one occasion gotten a call from a potential buyer and when I asked was told my agent is out of town, can I see it…I would ask for the agent’s information and open and show it and let their agent know.  After all – selling my sellers property is why they hired me.

Mountain Park Ranch

 

I have been a real estate professional for over 10 years now and never came across this- don’t people play nice in the playground anymore?  I believe in Karma and am putting this in God’s hands and let Karma take care of this company  and these agents that did what I believe is not a right thing to do…the reason I’m sending this out- is to make you aware…. Not all Realtors do the right thing- I do and always will!

How would you handle this? What do you believe.

I am A Realtor in the Phoenix Market and have always done what I believe is right-  Am I wrong?

Show All Comments Sort:
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I think it all depends, I normally suggest that they get in touch with their agent, and have him/her call me. I want to make sure they are not just creating the situation, because they don't want to bother their agent. I always say, I can certainly work with your agent to show the home if they give me their consent, you'd be surprised at how that changes the urgency. 

Apr 13, 2016 03:00 AM
Jan Sohlman
RE/MAX Integrity - Eugene, OR
RE/MAX Integrity

I always try and do the right thing too! I always ask if they are working with a realtor. If they have one and he/she is unavallable I will show it to them if I have time or I will give the number for their main office and have someone who works there cover for them and show it.  

Apr 13, 2016 03:45 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

I hold many open houses and would definitely remember a visitor to an open house if within hours I was asked if I recalled Mr Jones visiting my open house an advising they were would with Mr Smith from XYZ Realty.  I believe what you have described was greed.  How sad the agent felt the need to collect not only on the listing side but 30%!!  Yes, there is Karma!

May 03, 2016 11:58 PM