Ryan,

It really seems like there is a lack of respect and costumer service in today's real estate world. The worst is the REO agents that think they are the world's best agents and never had to return a phone call. I list REO's for BofA and Chase and you will always receive a returned call from myself or my assistant. By the time we get through this cycle we should be down to the true professionals. Good luck with your business.

James Brennan
Pacific Coast Realty Group
951-514-0003

I agree with you Ryan,
I have the same problem with listing agent, even with agent that submit offer to my short sales listings, they submit their offer, then take their client to another property and submit another offer, they submit more than 3 offer at the same time and they don't even tell you that they are doing that, once you get the approval, after all your hard work negotiating the short sale, they just walk away by no answering emails, calls because is their best interest no their client to drive then where they get more commission. I got this case where I had an approval for the offer price at 470k with BofA, they approve 5% total commission, 3% buyers closing cost if they get a FHA Loan, just to find out buy bueyers loan office that his client was ready to close a transaction in another property, beacuase his "Real Estate Agent wasn't working ethical we calcel the short sale. never return calls, those are really bad agents that make all of us looks bad.


I hope this change soon with new rules on how many offers they will be allowed to submit and no waste our time.

"GOOD QUESTION"


Sincerely,
Jose D.C Romero
The Agent Network
408-668 8557
DRE: 01704969

It really goes beyond ridiculous. ! of my clients end up firing me because we couldn't get an answer to our "accepted" offer...since November 2010, and now I'm waiting still for yet another one and it's being over 3 weeks. Really?!?!?!?!

If an agent cannot return a text; E-mail; phone call these days then #1 Get a Smart Phone; #2 Always have an assistant #3 Have some type of response time no longer than an hour #4 Or get into politics...

I have waited 3 days just lately on such an issue after 2 phonecalls and 1 text to a listing agent...Not right!

Ryan,

It is shocking how many agents/brokers either do not respond at all or take so much time to do it that it's no longer relevant. It's particularly mystifying since we have a ton of anecdotal evidence that buyers who can't get in to see a property within a reasonable time period of asking to never go back to that property again. It's not only rude but a huge disservice to the sellers.

Best Regards,

Lance King/Owner-Managing Broker
lance@fixedrateproperties.com
415.722.5549
DRE# 01384425

I can't think of a single reason not to return a phone call. It's unacceptable. When I'm working with a Buyer I am always shocked at the lack of response. How do these agents get their business??

I never answer my phone if I'm with a client and my message says so. It also says that my phone is on from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

What bugs the hell out of me is:
1) When I send an email after a showing of one of my listings, which includes the property's website, asking for feedback and get no response.

2) An agent calls me two weeks after I've shown a property and then gets upset because I can't remember their listing.

That's pretty funny Stefan! If people call after 9 pm I'll listen to their VM (if they leave one) and will only call them back that night if it's an emergency. Otherwise, the caller will get a call back in the morning.

Perhaps I need an assistant because it has gotten REALLY busy right now. I try to return every call but some callers don't care that you are with other clients or that is 9PM Sunday as well as you probably know :). If someone leaves me a message or email, I always return them as soon as I can.

I personally think it is rude not to. I even return the calls that deal with rentals (even though I don't do them) BUT I am still a little frustrated with a caller yesterday that called me repeaditly (13 times in a 2 hour span) while I was showing clients homes. Never left a message and then when I did finally pick up after finishing with clients was upset that I didn't answer earlier. Then they asked me about HOA information for a house they had looked at with another agent - whom they didn't like btw. His name was Ryan Smith - lol just kidding on that part :).

Stefan

Ryan I completely agree!
While I do not email, text or call while I am with a client or in a "family meeting", I do respond within a couple of hours and expect the same from other Realtors! One thing I have started doing that seems to work extremely well is emailing the offenders and CC'ing any combination of my Broker, their Broker or if they are the sole Broker in a company I cc the board office! Maybe that is snotty on my part, but it gets results and lets them know that others will also know they don't respond!

Hopefully they will not do enough business between their golf game and second job that they will leave Real Estate and leave the work to those of us who are the true professionals!

Ryan, I agree with everyone's frustration and the accompanying failure to seize the moment by tending to one's telephone. Overwhelmingly, agents representing banks are establishing a new low in service and accessibility.
However, following are a few reasons why a listing agent may not call you back. There may be limited service provisions that actually take some response actions away from the listing agent.
1. Showing instructions say 24 hour notice and your message states you are at the curb and want to show now!
2. Remarks indicate showing only on Thursday 2-6 and Sat, Sun 1 - 4.
3. This home is for sale, it does not state lease/purchase, so don't expect a call back regarding, "Will owner consider renting?"
4. Don't wait for a response to your inquiry regarding 'breed restrictions' in the community of your pit-bull owning buyer who has expressed no interest in purchasing this home. (No lock box, appointment only and you have not previously shown or scheduled a showing)

Yes, it is frustrating when we allow ourselves to be placed in a waiting situation. Some of it may be of our own making. Every agent deems their time precious and makes attempts to streamline their processes. Was it better when everything required a telephone call? In that world everyone knew how action was instigated and how follow up occurred. What I really don't like is when the response to a voice message comes via email.

It's certain to get better, right?

We all know some of the ROE agents are a problem. Some simply have to much work, how they can say no to anther listing. I’ve never heard of or seen an agent say I’ve 75+ listing I just can’t take on another one. Then there’s the part time agent who works a job where they can’t return calls from 8-5. Makes it really hard to be an agent when the title company, inspector, banker other agent’s calls at 2pm and says I need this document by 5 pm or we won’t close on time. At least when I am involved in a REO deal I know to expect a lack of communication, with a part time agent I’m never sure of what to expect. If you are a home seller the #1 rule is don’t use a part-time agent. There are a few exceptions but they are few.

I know what you are talking about! Do they not want to make money?

I wonder how their seller /client would feel about this, if they found out their listing agent is not taking care of them; which could cost them the sale of their property.

You are just trying to do the best job you can in not only helping your buyer, but also the seller by trying to create a sale. I hope you get a response soon from the listing agent; from anyone.
Best wishes.
Dawn http://www.homesforsale-agentds.com

Seems like at least 90% of short sale agents never call you back. Why are short sale agents so irresponsible about returning phone calls. Half the problems with short sales are the sleazy agents that handle them. I too feel your pain.

I completely agree. You are not doing your clients any favors by being unresponsive as well.

Sinead McAllister
858-205-5215

I feel your pain. I always make it a point to call people back within an hour if possible but most people don't do this - you're lucky to even get a response. There are some good agents/brokers out there though.

Shanna Rogers
SR Realty http://www.RealtyBySR.com