I'm currently working a transaction and the names (of the parties to the transaction) will be withheld to protect . . . my reputation!
As the buyers' agent I have to follow the deal, make sure time sensative documents are sent, delivered, negotiated, etc.
When you have a listing agent that doesn't feel like . . . well, talking . . . it's kinda hard.
Makes me wonder if I should change my business model, and put up a "NO TALKING" sign. Hmmm . . . it might actually be nice to conduct business that way.
No communication!
Here's what happened: A home inspection was done on the property week ago Friday. I wasn't able to prepare the repair addendum right away, and emailed the listing agent -- as a courtesy -- letting her know the inspection was done, there were a few items we'd be asking the seller to take care of, but no deal breakers.
That email was sent off on Saturday. And as night follows day . . . on Sunday, I didn't get a reply. OH COME ON! How hard is it to type: Thanks for the update Carla. I'll let the seller know -- ??
I called the listing agent on Sunday, just to let her know the repair addendum would be forthcoming. I believe in communication. While on the phone, she acknoweldged receipt of the email.
Funny . . . she never mentioned that she'd be going out of town!
Nope, I heard that from the appraiser who called me on Monday asking me to open up the property so he can perform the appraisal. Seems the listing agent told him she couldn't make it 'cause she was going out of town.
Hmmm . . . going out of town?
We have a repair addendum that's going to be submitted . . . an appraisal that might need the listing agent's attention . . . and she's gone?? But, she doesn't even bother to communicate that to me either.
I think she made the whole "I'm out of town" thing up. I think she just didn't want to be bothered in opening the door for the appraiser. I don't mind doing that. I look at it as part of my job. But what I DO mind is being someone's step-n-fetchit.
Maybe if the listing agent would have COMMUNICATED to me that she was going out of town when I had her on the phone, I wouldn't be writing this blog.
Transactions can be so much nicer for ALL involved if the agents would only -- JUST -- USE THEIR MOUTH WORDS. It's called TALKING, boys and girls . . .
EBA Portland ~~ 100% BUYER REPRESENTATION ~~ 100% of the Time
EBA Portland, LLC is an Exclusive Buyer Agency serving the Metro Portland real estate market since 1999. If you’re a Buyer in the Metro Portland area (including: Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Downtown Portland,) and contemplating a purchase, talk with a Buyer’s Agent . . . better yet, talk to an Exclusive Buyers Agent. Exclusive Buyers Agents do not work for listing brokerages or Sellers. An EBA’s fiduciary duty is: 100% BUYER REPRESENTATION . . . 100% of the Time.
| Carla Muss-Jacobs 503-810-7192 Carla@carlahomes.com |
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I don't let buyer agents know I am out of town. I have my iPhone and my laptop and handle business while away. I would have acknowledged receipt of the email, but wouldn't have mentioned going out of town. That's the nice thing about having services like docusign. As long as you have internet service it doesn't matter.
Hi Melina -- This agent still uses "faxes" if that tells you anything. And I don't care if she was going out of town, was out of town, or on her way to the moon -- all would have been handled much nicely with a little communcation.
A transaction goes more smoothly when folks talk frequently....not operate in the dark!
I always leave the communication lines open.....it pays off.
Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh
I am constantly on-line and on the phone. My kids now walk around with our cell phones against their heads (LOL). I am a wifi hotspot junkie. ;-)
Hi Gary -- yes a transaction does goes smoothly when people talk, and that can be said about a lot of things too! Relationships, talking to your children, etc.
Hey Patricia -- I love talking!
That's funny C!!
You mean "efaxes" don't you?
Yes, if an agent is going to operate "the old fashioned way" then yes it's nice to know when they are gone and who is handling their business while they are away.
No efaxes . . . fax as is land-line phone rings beeeeeeeeeeep, beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, whinnnnnneeeeeee, . . . print.
Carla ~ Great post... Wouldn't it be great if they were actually held accountable if they didn't follow up and follow through with their job. Um sorry you only get half of your commission due to lack of communication, work, being at your other job and attention to details etc... I am glad she is not my agent. Who knows if the seller even knows what is happening at all?
ps I like the little girl above.....
Nice post, Miss Carla . . . :)
There's a good book out called 'The Flake Filter' that I have read and re-read . . . about just how to deal with people who try to shove their work off on you or who don't perform as promised (or is appropriate)
Hold that listing agent's feet to the fire. Going out of town does not give himher a free pass to slack on a transaction!
Call the agents managing Broker. I have and it works.
Sounds like technology hasn't caught up with the listing agent. Think positive maybe she just went away to a seminar somewhere to learn a few thing. Here is hoping she will come back refreshed and ready pitch the fax line and use an i-phone and the Internet and get this contract electronically finished up. LOL
My favorites are the ones who don't answer email, phones, or anything after 5pm on the weekdays and NEVER on the weekends!! My phone is ON. I answer it when it rings or if I miss a call I call back as soon as I can. I respond to emails promptly - of ANY kind.
I still don't understand the people in this business and in THIS economy that work 9-5 and take off weekends.
My husband and I work as a team--he's the negotiator and so usually the one who is talking to the other agent. He likes to "over-communicate" which usually stands us in good stead. His line for the situation you have described is "Communication is an art--some people only know how to use crayons."
I appreciate when all my outgoing communication is acknowledged, but sometimes I just have to consider it a gift to the other agent and let it go if they don't get back with me. Still, I understand your frustration. It makes you wonder if they will be there for the important moments, like when you really send that notice over.
Your post could be filed under "If the phone doesn't ring, it's me" from an old Jimmy buffet song! These minimalist agents that don't do their job make me crazy. It's not rocket science to stay in communication or have a trusted associate to pass the baton to if your out of reach. Bet you'll be glad when that one closes!
yes, I agree, communication is absolutely necessary! My cell phone is always, on. I take it with me 245/7, and charge it at nigth. I have had agents that I could never get a phone call from, especially reo agents. thanks for sharing!
www.charlottelakewyliehomes.com
I think that next to Location-Location-Location, Communication-Communication-Communication are the next 3 more important words in real estate!
The flip side of this is the ones who do nothing but talk and talk and never do what they say. Wonderful communicators with no "follow through" leaving YOU to do it all if it's going to get done.
Lazy folks come in all kinds of packages just like quality folks do!
Hi June -- it is amazing how some agents work deligently. I liked the little girl too!
HEY Candice!! -- I will look that book up. Thanks for the 'good read' suggestion. I did send a few nice emails . . . with my handy-dandy readnotify secret weapon!! ;-)
Thanks Kathryn -- My next step would have been as you suggested; contact the managing broker
LOL Mary -- that's funny! Yes, she was at a "how to" seminar on the 21st century, modern day advances!
You know what Barbara . . . your work ethic is probably why you still work in this profession! It does make a difference!
P.S. CANDICE -- you should write a BLOG about that book!! There's an Active Rain Book Club that might be a nice fit too!!
I have never figured out why it is some agents can't simply pick up the phone or sit down and type an email to just pass on a simple message. It really does make things run a little more smooth when we all know what's happening.
Any agent that doesn't use email, check it on an hourly basis is not going to make it in this business. Any one that can't shoot off a quick, got your email reply, seriously. that takes 2 seconds. I love it when it says in the MLS, do not call me or our office, do not contact us in any way except with an offer, and even then don't call us. if you win the bidding war, you will get a call. Sheesh.
Lynette -- thanks for sharing your husband's view on life . . . wonderful!!
Hi Lyn -- I just YouTubed that song . . . wonderful musician! And that line was a good one LOL
Hey Ginger . . . sometimes I think I have my cell surgically implanted to my ear!
Barbara -- EXCELLENT point!!
Hi again JL -- I think this is the post I read first.
Amy -- thanks for the 2 seconds! HA HA HA It's NOT hard to communicate, and I appreciate you taking the time!! I never read that in our MLS, but I'm sure I will soon enough! Sheesh is right ;-)
Communication is so important. My poor First Time FHA buyer just lost out on another home. Only two agents have ever bothered to e-mail me on the situation, and one was nice enough to call; I think highly of her. Are you listening Monica Chavez - Thank you for being so polite.
So much easier not to communicate; then you can just cause frustration and confusion. LOL
Wow, it's surprising that this agent is still working as a realtor
carla, this blog entry touches on a several very important points. failure to deal timely during business hours is inexcusable, as is the inability to make the home available for the appraiser. everyone has email and a voice mail at the very least, many of us have assistants that can handle the mundane stuff.
that said, sunday? come on...give the guy a break. and 24/7 is beyond ridiculous and a sure way to burnout. there is little that can be done after hours or on a weekend that cannot be done during reasonable business hours.
that the appraiser would want ANYONE to drop what they were doing to open a home on short notice is silly. their failure to plan is not your emergency.
i decided years ago that my personal life is more important as my professional one and resolved to not allow other agents or clients to set my business hours.
Alot of agents don't tell anyone when they go out of town. Then when your talking to them about something they tell you they're at the airport in Oregon & don't have the file with them?????? Yeah, I guess it's not in your overnighter. Don't know what to say, other than for some reason the listing agent didn't want you in the loop.
It is important to be able to have some personal time and not work 24/7 and most people can understand and respect that but communication is the key in all things. If you tell people you work with what your hours are, then they know how to work with you to get the best results (ie: "I return calls at 10 AM and 4 PM daily", or "On Saturdays and Sundays my schedule is consistantly booked, so I return calls and answer e-mails in the evening", or whatever may apply). If you keep it a big secret, and other agents can't reach you, then you are not being fair to the sellers, buyers or other agents. People get more upset about not knowing what's going on than they do about working with someone else's schedule.
I've known too many listing agents who also seem to think that putting the sign in the front yard means their job is almost complete and assume that the buyer's agent will take care of the details because they want the deal to close (I actually had an agent say that out loud to me and to at least two other agents I knew).
A good way to keep things balanced is to have set times that you deal with messages (phone & e-mail). For example, it is not too invasive of someone's personal time to check their e-mail once a day on their time off and respond as needed. For urgent (such as "I have an offer to present!"), give the appropriate response. For the routine, a simple "Got your message, Thanks. I'm working on that / I'll have that for on____, etc"). Simple Courtesy goes a long way toward successful working relationships, closed transactions and building referral business for the future.
Hey Gene!!I sure hope Monica Chavez is an Active Rainer! If not, invite her? We all love polite agents here! And sorry about the buyer missing out . . . D'OH!
LOL Christine -- EXACTLY! That's why I'm thinking of setting up my office with a "NO TALKING" policy! So much easier . . .
Hi Tina . . . You're comment is spot on! I too, wonder!! The back-story is that this same agent had the property WAY over-priced for the market. It sat for over 250 days . . . at $279,900. When it dropped to $239,900 my buyers put in their offer! It was priced to sell at then. What a shame this agent WASTED her clients time too!! Not communicating that the market wouldn't bear the $280,000 . . . agent should have known, and priced accordingly. A bad agent is BAD all around!!
Michael Ford in Encinatas. . . First the appraiser called on MONDAY! We are pushing for a QUICK CLOSE so this is GREAT!! Second, DUDE it was an EMAIL! An agent can't acknowledge an EMAIL over the weekend?!? Yeah, agents don't work weekends . . . HA HA HA. Maybe the lazy ones don't. I show a ton of property, make a lot of calls and submit LOTS of offers -- OVER THE WEEKENDS, at the convenience of my clients . . . not at my convenience. I think I'll make this a PUBLIC blog now . . . maybe your clients would like to know and I quote: "i decided years ago that my personal life is more important as my professional one and resolved to not allow other agents or clients to set my business hours." BTW, do you know where the CAPS key is? Your comment looks like a 2nd grader wrote it.
LOL Lyn -- yup, the file isn't with them . . . can't talk now . . . off to conduct my 'personal' business! I'm an impo'tant REAL-A-TOR.
Cynthia . . . yes, stating your business hours would have been better then . . .
. . . NOTHING!
'-)
Evening Carla, Great reminder of how we need to be a little more considerate of each other. I wonder if that agent will be reading this ? You're preaching to the choir here.
Hi Bill . . . I think the agent was in the pews! I did email her, gave her a few insights and from now on, she's emailing me, and guess what . . . we're IN THE SAME LOOP!! It's great!! I think she gets it, reading this blog post or not!!
Communication is absolutely necessary in our business. Not communicating is rude and unprofessional
Lack of communication - one of my biggest pet peeves! The worst is when several parties involved in the transaction (that could include buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, etc.) do not communicate. That is a disaster waiting to happen...
HEY TIFFANY -- why not link your blog to mine!! Feel free!!