Look For A Cash Buyer! Like Me!

Carolyn,

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time with your agent. Your time is valuable and if nothing else, it may be that your agent doesn't manage their time very well. I don't know what area of Huntsville your home is in, but last minute open house signs don't benefit much at all anywhere. Most likely, she is doing these repeated open houses to appease you, and doesn't have much enthusiasm towards their effectiveness. In the Huntsville area, the most important advertising that you can do is online and through the web. That's where the real results come in. My advise in this situation is to ask her what she's doing to market your house and ask to see the results of that marketing. I use a program that includes a weekly seller's report indicating how many e-tour hits your listing is getting on a daily basis and where those hits are coming from. It's a tough time to sell right now for most home owners, but it certainly can be done. It can be tough for some agents to be upfront about the lack of activity on a listing and therefore find themselves avoiding conversations (not calling you back). It's important to have an experienced agent who is being productive and selling in this market, who can also be upfront and give it to you straight.

If you aren't happy with your agent, you can ask to have your listing withdrawn. Although it isn't required, most agents will oblige. She's probably already feeling your dissatisfaction, which may also be a reason she's avoiding your calls.

Good luck!
Melissa Stolaas
Broker Associate - ABR
EXIT Realty
Huntsville, AL
256-655-7850

Thank you for your helpful suggestions and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

Carolyn
Huntsville, AL

Carolyn, It is a shame that you are so dissatisfied with the way your Agent runs her business.
As Independent Contractors, we are each responsible for how we handle business, but Agents that fall below the mark shouild be held accountable. You should be able to address this with the Agent or the Broker for advice about release from the Listing contract, due to your discontent.
In the future ask these questions of a potential Listing Agent:
1.Will you service out listing personally, or do you have an assistant?
2. How many Clients are you serving?
3. Are you a full or part-time Agent?
4. How quickly do you respond to phone calls?
5. Can we agreee to "divorce" if either party is unhappy?
Thas could lead to conversation to see if the Agent fulfills your requirements for a 10+ experience. Good luck.

I am so sorry for your experience - it makes all Realtors look bad. The majority of Realtors I know are extremely ethical & hard working individuals. You should be able to have your Realtor withdraw your listing if you are not happy. I offer my sellers a risk free guarantee. I let them know when I list their house that if they are unhappy for any reason & I cannot remedy the situation to their satisfaction within 48 hours, I will fire myself! I sign my name to this promise & give them a copy of my service standards.
You have to remeber that we are all independent contractors & we all run our businesses differently. Some of us actually have a business plan, are incorporated, have service standards, etc. It really is a good idea to interview several agents before you make a decision. Let me know if you decide to interview local agents!
Stephanie Wilson
Keller Williams Realty
256-665-8986 http://www.NorthAlabamaHomes4Sale.com.

Good Morning,

How did you get this agent ? You know what before you hire an agent you should
interview them one by one listen them first about their accomplishment, referral
testimonial letter, or this agent have been sold a property recently in that area,
these are a basic questions that you have to ask, that is why REALTORS are one
of the lowest according to the survey......may be your agent is part timer or new
agent that is why he dosnt know this responsibility....If I will get cancellation from
him or report him to the Board of Realtors....

I agree with the other answers - if you are not happy with your realtor, you should be able to get released. In Indiana we have both a withdrawl and a listing release, the withdrawl keeps you from being able to list with another company, so make sure you get an actual release. You deserve to work with an agent who respects your time and takes selling your home seriously. I recommend you get released and interview several agents and see who impresses you the most with their professionalism, punctuality, and marketing plan. Look for agents with designations such as GRI or e-Pro. These agents have gone through the extra work and education and should really care about getting the job done correctly.

You can be released from a listing immediately if you want as long as the broker does not give you an issue. To wait another additional month, this could severely hurt your ability to sell the property. That would put you in late november or early december which is not the best time.

I am sorry you had to work with someone who did not give you the utmost care and you might want to try the find a pro feature of trulia and see if you can find a local agent that way.


Sean Dawes

Usually you can be released from a listing with 30 days written notice. Make sure you send it to the broker as well as the agent. There is no obligation as a buyer unless you signed a buyer agreement. With posting signs, some ordinances are very strict and there are rules about when signs can be placed. There is NO EXCUSE for not returning calls and keeping you waiting. There are so many wonderful service oriented Realtors, don't suffer with someone who does not meet your needs.