John Oldwater

Twenty four hours later and it's still the same song and dance. Right into voicemail, no ability to leave a message. I'm not trying to babysit an agent, I'm trying to sell a property and keep my buyer happy. Three words for the REO agent who would rather spend time with their family on the weekend or take some personal time: HIRE AN ASSISTANT! - Sun May 18 2008, 11:44

Heidi,
Yes there are certain circumstances that limit what an agent is able to do. However, my voicemail box is never full so, if for some reason I am not able to answer my phone, somebody can at least leave a message and I can tend to it as soon as I can. Agents are at the beck and call of their buyers and sellers, because if we weren't, they would go somewhere else. There is a difference between being reasonable with an agent and expecting too much from them at once. I for one do not feel it is asking too much to see a vacant foreclosed property at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. I also do not feel the need to give 24 hours notice to show a foreclosed property if I myself don't have 24 hours notice. My aggrevation does not lie with other listing agents who cannot drop a call to answer mine or take a few hours to get back with a confirmation. My frustration lies with this REO agent (and any other REO agent), who gets business from banks that many other agents (myself included) would kill for and cannot deliver the very most basic level of service by answering their phone or allowing a means of contact to set an appointment. You cannot possibly compare doctors switching shifts to ensure competency to an agent simply answering their phone. A true professional wouldn't have a stuffed voicemail box, no way to set an appointment on a Saturday, and absolutely no other way for contact. Most importantly, a true professional wouldn't put their needs in front of the needs of a client's. It's making that sacrifice that keeps us in business and earns a good reputation and referrals. - Sat May 17 2008, 16:25

Also, do you actually believe print ads and open houses are the true key to selling property? And if so, do you advertise in every single publication every week and hold open houses every Saturday andSunday for all your listings? - Tue Mar 25 2008, 12:26

I'm was thinking to provide full service (without print advertising and open houses) at a nominal fee of $500 or so. I think it would be rather unreasonable to request several thousand dollars with no guarantee of sale. The listing agent handles the mechanics of the offer up to closing, not just posting the listing on MLS and turning sellers loose. The buyers agent gets the 3% commission (based on your co-broke of 3% from the total 6% commission.) - Tue Mar 25 2008, 12:22

I believe there is a change coming in the real estate industry similar to what has happened to travel agents with sites like Expedia. I'm seeing it become a lot more popular lately, and I think it will really take off, especially when I see posts where sellers are charged 6,7,8% and wind up with very little service. For roughly the cost of one or two newspaper ads, the seller has their home on MLS with representation all the way to closing. The agent who actually brings the buyer to the table would be due a co-broke similar to what is often paid out because they are in fact the ones bringing the buyer to the table. I also believe sellers who would normally try selling FSBO would use this service, in turn giving buyers more choice and agents more properties to sell. Most of all would be the savings for the seller, so why wouldn't a seller choose that route. - Tue Mar 25 2008, 12:12