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Silence is golden, well at least it is sometimes, at least in a RE deal.

By Karen Monsour

Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach

September 25, 2008 03:10 PM

Silence is golden, well at least it is sometimes.

How many of you agents HATE IT! when the seller's agent has to accompany you on a listing?

If you hate it please, SAY WHY HERE!

That being said, I had an Investor who specifically flew down here to South Florida to look at some investment properties with me Tuesday.

While he has an office in another county, he is looking for investment properties here in So. FLa.

I had planned to show him two properties. We can only meet after he is done working, so there isn't lot's of time/daylight left after 5:30/6 pm.

We went to the first property and as it was a rental property the listing agent had to accompany.

That's fine, I understand that, however, "Would you please let me do my job?", "Will you stand back and have respect for me?", "Will you only offer information if I ask you for it?" (after all I have your listing sheet, the rent rolls, the calculations already complete.).

I don't want to hear how many investment properties you have, I don't care if you bought in the "slums". I don't care if you like Section 8. I'm on a limited time with someone who is here to peruse 2 properties in a short amount of daylight!

I don't care Mr. Seller's agent if you think it's a great deal or not... of course you do...you are the seller's agent.

I don't want your opinion on whether it is a B+ community with the canal, or a C- community without it. Isn't that streamlining?

My customer, Mr. Seller's agent, was exhausted listening you ramble on...as was I as well.

Did you just talk my seller out of the deal for me and you as well. YUP! Geeze be quiet already! You are interfering with my job!

Thank you for wasting my time Mr. Seller's agent, and perhaps ruining a deal for YOUR customer.

Talk less...sell more...sometimes, "Silence can be golden!"

How do the rest of you feel?

http://www.KarenMonsour.com, 954-464-4194

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Daniel Sundberg

Crystal Springs Real Estate - Kentwood, MI

If you were in Michigan... I'd swear my father was the seller's agent. My grandfather taught me one point I can remember quite easily: "It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"... somehow my dad missed that lesson.

One other thought... talking too much tends to get everyone in trouble... you know, telling things to the buyer and buyer's agent that the seller didn't want divulged... Sometimes that can come in handy when your putting together an offer as a buyers agent... =)

Sep 25, 2008 03:17 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Daniel,

You are so right. I was agast at the information this, self proclaimed super agent divulged during our 30 minutes of pain listening to all the information he decided to unload on us. My customer and I were exhausted!

Sep 25, 2008 03:21 PM

Teresa Harris

Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC

Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Karen, I haven't had this to happen but it would defiantly irritate me to no end.

Sep 25, 2008 03:23 PM

Terri Kincaid

ERA Brokers Consolidated - Mesquite, NV

I haven't had this happen to me in a long time. Hope to never see it again.

Sep 25, 2008 03:28 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Teresa,

When I have to accompany and I didn't have much time to talk to the buyer's agent, while the "buyer" is not listening, I give them a quick update, or if there are some things that cannot be added to the listing, I prepare a short synopsis of additional information and give it to the buyer's agent for a quick review. Not pages of information, just maybe less than 5 additional selling points.

Sep 25, 2008 03:28 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Terri,

It appeared to me that the seller's agent didn't think I could sell his listing on my own. I don't force sales, I merely give the facts to my buyer. Forcing an issue or sale, in most cases, just pushes the buyer away. Karen

Sep 25, 2008 03:30 PM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Karen, I also dislike having the seller's agent present during the showing. Once in awhile I have had a seller's agent be there and open the door and sort of hang out near the front door, and that was cool. I hate having them follow or lead us around the property talking, like you, I feel that is not allowing me to do my job.

Sep 25, 2008 03:38 PM

Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL

Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Karen,

I have a listing on an apartment building. Pretty well rented (now at 100%), so whenever we need to show I have to ask the seller to come. He has a great relationship with his tenants, and when he knocks on the door, they let the buyer come and see the property.

His only problem is that he is talking non-stop. He is a former car salesman. Every time I am telling him not to interfere with the Buyer, and that the buyer has his own agent,- it does not work. he can't be quiet, period. And if he has to climb all those stairs, he will talk about everything, mostly about himself.

Anyway, he is a great guy, we are very friendly, and all that;s left to me is laughing at the situation, that he puts all of us.

Sep 25, 2008 03:43 PM

Marlene Pellegrini

Norwich, CT

I agree with you. I feel if the listing agent is at the showing, my clients tend to by shy about opening doors, voicing their opinions, lingering etc. All they remember is the awkwardness of the showing...not the house. I feel it is best for the listing agent to stay outside. I'll come out and get him/her if we have questions.

I especially do not like showing up to houses to have the owners home. Now that is very awkward.

Sep 25, 2008 03:54 PM

Rachael Wilson

RE/MAX Whatcom County - Bellingham, WA

This really reminds me of all the time when saying nothing would have been better than saying anything at all. Thanks for the reminder! ;-)

Sep 25, 2008 03:54 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Tony & Darcy,

I do that as well, or at least I keep a distance, still in view if it is a home with lot's of valuables.

I'm close enough that if the agent has a question he/she can signal me over an ask, however, I do not impede their ability to sell my property for me.

Sep 25, 2008 03:59 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Jon,

While I see your point in inviting him, I would not. Just for the reason as you describe.

Sep 25, 2008 04:01 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Marlene,

If the home is occupied and the owner's are going to be home to let me in, I request the seller's agent ask them to walk down the block and back, by that time, we're usually done looking. I wait until they get back to leave though.

If the house is high end I stay about 10-12 feet behind, or just far enough away that the seller's can talk to their own agent.

Sep 25, 2008 04:03 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Rachael,

Absolutely, sometimes silence is better than a conversation. Some buyer's get nervous around other agents that they don't know and will clam up and just want to bolt! Why put buyer's in that situation if you want them to consider buying your owner's home?

Sep 25, 2008 04:05 PM

Mike Wong

Keller Williams Realty Southwest - Sugar Land, TX

Realtor: Commercial, Residential, Leasing, Invest

Havent had it happen to me in a while either. My clients work with me because of my style of working with them, a pushy sellers agent stalking us on a tour of the property irritates me and my clients get the vibe.

I simply ask them to let us tour privately and discuss our thoughts privately, I cite client confidentialty. If they dont respect that, my clients know its not in their best interest to continue looking and speaking in the presence of them and move onto the next property.

Sep 25, 2008 04:30 PM

Karen Monsour

Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL

REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

Mike,

I agree. It's a shame when that happens. Usually, after carefully listening to my customers wants and desires, I have a handful of properties that are close to what they are looking for. When an agent interfere's in my showing, it's their loss...and their customers. Confidentiality...great point.

Sep 25, 2008 04:43 PM

Danielle Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches

RAPB - Lake Worth, FL

Hey Karen,

Sorry to comment off topic but since you mentioned that you had Foreign Investors as your clients I thought you may be interested in a project that we are working on at the RAPB. It is an Interactive Digital Magazine that will be going out quarterly to 11,000 Estate Agents across the UK. Our first issue is going out in December and the ad deadline is October 24th. If you would like more information please contact Ytonna Finnegan at yfinnegan@rapb.com or call at 561-585-4544.

Click Here for an example of a similar project we did recently that went to the SIMA convention in Spain as well as to the UK Trade Mission.

Thanks for your great Blogs by the way, they are always entertaining.

Danielle Boutin

Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB)

www.rapb.com

www.rapbinternational.com

Sep 26, 2008 02:41 AM