I joined Active Rain in May 2007.
This was my second post, "Feed Back" -- Is it just me, or is this annoying to others?? and I thought to re-blog my own words since they are apros pos to a recent feature written by: Buyers Agents Should Not Give Feedback!
I wrote about this over two years ago. Apparently, the ball is now in play.
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My cell phone rings, "EBA Portland, this is Carla," I begin my conversation.
"Hi Carla. You showed my listing . . ."
And it begins!
The calls for "FEED BACK"
As an Exclusive Buyers Agent, I take no listings. My client base is buyers, and I'm good at that. I like what I do. In fact, I'm the type of Realtor(r) that not only plays by the rules, but actually knows what they are.
So, when I tour a listing -- with a BUYER -- I'm there on behave of my client in a FIDUCIARY capacity, i.e., I represent them. I have certain duties to uphold, and this includes duties my state (Oregon) proscribes, but as a Realtor(r) the ethics implied. I am a licensed professional. I tour properties that are listed through a brokerage under a contractual agreement. What the listing agent/agency and seller(s) have entered into is a legal contract that I'm not privy to. I am NOT involved with this listing at all, other then it fits the needs and wants of my buyer -- so we tour.
Why do listing agents call? I'm not associated with their brokerage, nor their client. This applies to any agent who brings a buyer through the door. We are there to see the property with our buyer, we're NOT there to provide "feed back" to you.
Didn't you price it correctly to begin with?
Didn't you tell your clients that their house has a funky dog smell?
Didn't you tell your clients that their kitchen is really cluttered?
What do you want from us me when you call for "feed back"?
This is YOUR job, YOUR listing. YOUR clients!
You work for a brokerage. So you have a ton of agents that you can ask for "feed back" -- price opinions, etc. -- in your office. ASK THEM!
Not a conflict. Get it?? If you call me for feed back and you want me -- the buyer's agent -- to give you a price opinion . . . hmmmm . . . don't you see what's inherently WRONG with that?!?!?
Do your clients know that you are calling buyers' agents that are not affiliatated with your brokerage for their opinions on YOUR pricing??
The calls are inappropriate, at least to me.
The emails I get after I tour a listing are MORE SPAM which I could do without.
The thing is, if any buyer has an interest in your listing, they'll let you know.
How?
They'll write up an offer.
If you're calling to find out what MY CLIENTS think about your listing -- my lips are sealed!
My fiduciary obligations forbid me to discuss my client's private and confidential conversations with me. Unless I ask my clients their permission, and obtain it in writing, I do NOT discuss what we think about your listing, I'm MUM.
Sorry.
But this is why I'm a great agent.
I don't work for you -- your brokerage -- your sellers.
I work for my clients.
And you should too!
Calling a buyer's agent to get YOUR LISTING'S price adjusted is a gross failure to your clients, and a conflict of interest.
Is it just me???
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~ Representing Buyers Since 1999 ~
Carla Muss-Jacobs, ABR, CEBA, e-PRO, Realtor®
Principal Broker/Owner
EBAPortland, LLC
YOUR Exclusive Buyer's Agent
CHECK OUT www.EBAPortland.com for Home Buyer TIPS!
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- http://localism.com/neighbor/realtycj
- http://activerain.com/blogs/realtycj
- http://portlandeba.activerain.com/
- http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/112655
- http://www.trulia.com/profile/EBAPortland
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Too funny....I hate the feedback calls too! More than half the time, I don't remember by the time they call me. I can usually tell them that if we liked it, we'd have written an offer.
So true, I hate to call for feedback as well (the other side of the coin). Some of our sellers feel they have to know. I tell them we aren't going to get the real answer and asking seems to show our hand. Yes you are right, I know what the pluses and minus of our listings are. I know what the price should be. Great second post! You put it right out there.
Carla - Nice post! So what did you think about my listing? Is it staged nice enough? LOL
Hi Karen -- LOL -- don't call us, we'll call you (if we have an offer ... THEN we'll negotiate!)
Hey Dick & Dixie . . . yeah, the other side of the coin, calling. And at certain times of the market, it does seem to tip the hand when a listing agent calls.
Hi Nevin . . . LOL. "So what do you think about my listing?" It's priced too high!! What else can I say?!? Yeah, loved what you did with the drapes.
Carla, in Florida we are Transaction Brokers, so our guidelines are different. I hear you about the information you give you - and I am very careful not to compromise a buyer in giving feedback, but sometimes it is helpful to hear it from other agents as well as the listing agent. I know it's annoying, but agents appreciate it when it's their listing, so we do help each other out. I also hate the Price question - of course I'm going to say it's too high! Duh!
Here in my region, we get an email 2 hours after the scheduled showing. 50% of the agents don't leave feedback. Of the 50% that do, it's irrelevant, and the 50% of the remaining agents who actually do leave feedback, it's something that we as listing agents should have addressed with our sellers prior to putting the home on the market.
As for me, I would never compromise my buyers position by leaving feedback that would do just that.
Great post Carla!
Of course you were way too kind about Nevin's drapes though.....
Hi Sharon -- yes Florida is a weird real estate state when it comes to "transactional" brokers. I love practicing in Oregon. But you seem to be handling your clients' best interests well.
Hey Craig . . . exactly! You've addressed concerns with your clients/sellers, 'cause you're just the BEST!! That's not a drape. That's a kitchen table cloth!
That was good back then.... and powerful NOW... I am with you on this ALL the way! They KNEW the mold was there when they asked for feedback!! What should i have said..."house was awesome except for the MOLD"...
Hey Diane -- LOL. "house was awesome except for the MOLD" Too funny!