Grow Up and Do YOUR Job Responsibly!

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Realtors

Show my ListingsWhen YOU call me to show one of my listings, I'm ecstatic. I have the utmost faith in YOUR ability to do your job, albeit sometimes it's real a "leap of faith".

I know that when we do our job we are taking on a number of responsibilities on the behalf of our buyer and seller clients, but sometimes I feel that sellers are taken for granted as if they don't even matter. As many of you know, there are a number of vacant properties on the market and I am relying on you to do your job by turning the lights off and locking the doors when you leave. This should be a no brainer!

It is extremely embarrassing getting calls from the neighbors, the housekeeper or, God forbid, the seller that the house was left unsecured. Needless to say, I found out today that a careless agent left the lights on, the doors unlocked and nobody's home. It goes without saying that you should always check and recheck before leaving the property after a showing as you could be held personally responsible in the event of mischief and damages.

I really want you to show and sell my listings, so please take a few extra minutes to "Do YOUR Job Responsibly".

©2008 Debbie Small, Long & Foster. All Rights Reserved - "Grow Up and Do YOUR Job Responsibly!"

Comments (11)

Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

I always try to do my best but nobody is perfect. Locing of doors though however is generally a no brainer. But I can understand the frustration.

Nov 12, 2008 11:50 AM
Kathy Knight
Intracoastal Realty Corp - Wilmington, NC
BROKER, ABR, CRS, GRI, SFR, SRES

Amen Debbie - How could someone show a home and leave a door unlocked? That has happened to me more than once. That is scary.  It has happened in homes of all price ranges. Agents just being careless.

Nov 12, 2008 11:55 AM
Martine Assaf
Virtual Homes Real Estate - Quincy, MA

My favorite one is that the doors are all locked but the showing agent leaves the lockbox open or leaves the numbers on the code that opens the lockbox....My last success, the agent showing takes the key with him and refuses to come back to return the key. "I will make sure to throw the key away" - topped it off. Had to stop my showings with a buyer agent to get a key for the next showing.....

Nov 12, 2008 12:04 PM
Eric Reid
Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA

You forgot the agent who cranks up the AC to Sub Zero for a 5 min showing then walks out the door .. come on folks be respectful . 

Nov 12, 2008 12:08 PM
Debbie Small
Long & Foster Realtors - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR

Heather - I'm not perfect either, far from it. I just have this little routine dance that I do after getting the buyers out of the house...check, check and recheck.

Kathy - You got me. I do realize the we can all screw up now and again. What makes me nuts on this is that she showed the house twice already.

Martine - This may be a sound case for electronic boxes. I know that not all agents and boards are in favor of them but it would help with this instance. If agents are trotting off with the key, then that's another matter. Duh, why?

Eric - Oh yes, another abuse to the seller's domain. You summed it up in one word...RESPECT.

Nov 12, 2008 01:08 PM
Donna Edwards
Donna Edwards Realty - Odessa, TX

Do you guys report them to the board?  I make mistakes too but maybe we would do better if we think of the owner as ourself.  Boy I've made a few boo boos and have learned.  I think were the problem stems from is that we get all caught up in the clients, the features and such things.  I am glad you reminded us to be not just a good realtor but a good person to all involved in our livelyhood... the perception of the public and our professionalism. 

Nov 12, 2008 01:20 PM
Debbie Small
Long & Foster Realtors - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR

Donna - We've all make mistakes and have learned from them. You are so right in that it's so easy to get caught up in the moment and be distracted. I am very active in our local board association, so the answer to your question about reporting directly to our board would be no, but the Broker could come into play for the actions of their agents.

You totally nailed it..."we would do better if we think of the owner as ourself"...My point exactly!

Nov 12, 2008 01:51 PM
Charles McDonald®
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA
REALTOR®, Principal Broker®, Owner

I just got the call last week that all the lights were left on in a listing... crazy...

your friend in Charlottesville!

Nov 12, 2008 10:40 PM
Danny Thornton
R & D Art - Knoxville, TN
WordPress Guru

Debbie, I had a showing in my home that I owned in Atlanta. When I returned, all the lights were left on. But, that was not the worst. The classes that they used to help themselves to the sodas that were left out on the cabinet and open was more than I could take.

Nov 13, 2008 01:45 AM
Tami Vroma
West Michigan Real Estate Specialist-Five Star Real Estate - Grand Haven, MI
Realtor, Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

AMEN Sister!!!!  Why is it so darn difficult for some people!!

Nov 13, 2008 03:07 AM
Debbie Small
Long & Foster Realtors - Martinsburg, WV
REALTOR

Charles - Oh well, I just had to vent about it.

Danny - That is just crazy, they had a party and left the lights on too.l\

Tami - I wish I knew.

Nov 13, 2008 07:40 AM

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