Realtor rant...

[calimedeiros]

Fire them or let your contract expire
People like this don't deserve to be rewarded with. 50000
I sell my homes privately just need a real estate lawyer

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Moses

Realtor texted me last Wednesday asking if I would mind vacating the house next Saturday (Memorial weekend)

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Yeah, that's why agents burn out-people text them at 7am and 9 pm on weekends, holidays etc. You have to work 18hrs a day 7 days a week. No respect for private time or space

Actually, my text was asking her if I could call her. She replied yes.

Whenever I get a hold of her, I always ask if it is a good time or not. And I know that she won't return my calls if she is unable to do so. BTW: her husband and I work together, so we are friends.

Regarding that NJ Realtor caught doing the nasty at a client's home -- that occurred in my town - I know that house. And no, my realtor is neither of the agents caught in the video!

-Z-man.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

This is timely...

Wife and I've been searching a nice town in CT for almost a year now with very little luck, working with the owner of "the" real estate company for this small town...she's a great lady and unbelievable resource. Despite my initial skepticism,

Last Thursday we see a nice 2600sf home comes up, nice neighborhood, tons of kids, sizable 2-car ...and the house, if paralleled to cars, is in blue ribbon concourse condition. Our decision was made on the spot and we made an offer that night.

Listed at 452, closest comp sold for 420, 6 months back. We offer 9% under asking to start the ball rolling, 410.

They counter at 450 and their agent, who hasn't seen the house and works for a 3rd party relocation agency out of state, tells us they will not move from 450. Why? Because its in line with neighborhood comps.

We countered at 420 and noted we would comfortably go higher if she could provide comps we must be missing. She can not produce any comps and told us the owners are "waiting for a better offer"

We told the Cee U Next Tuesday...to pound sand

Unfortunate as the house would be a perfect fit, the buyer needs to sell, and she will lose the deal to greed.

you have been looking for some time now. If this is the perfect house and its within your budget, what are you really waiting for? Is it because you don't like the fact that they are greedy or is it the purchase price isn't "right". Your agent should get you the comps and where will it appraise? that might blow the deal if it doesn't appraise.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by McLovin

If any of my listing previews would have went like that, I'd still be a realtor!

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by KC911

Matt, I don't know how your area is, but around here real estate has been booming the past year or so. Houses in desirable areas aren't staying on the market very long, with cash buyers lining up and paying full asking price (from '05-06 levels). I'm also seeing lots of FSBO (Help-U-Sell, etc.) that seem to move just as fast and will save a decent chunk of the selling realor's commission...maybe something to consider??? Good luck!

A lot of agents will not show any home that does not have a real estate agent representing the seller.

To my knowledge, not one person I know has had a positive experience with a realtor. No offense Mr Lepore, but that line of work seems to attract a lot of people that I would just as soon have no interaction with at all.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by look 171

you have been looking for some time now. If this is the perfect house and its within your budget, what are you really waiting for? Is it because you don't like the fact that they are greedy or is it the purchase price isn't "right". Your agent should get you the comps and where will it appraise? that might blow the deal if it doesn't appraise.

Both greed and correct price.

The housing market in CT has been heading downhill since 2008 and there are no signs of it getting better. Do I think they should take a bath? No. Do I think they need to get real...absolutely.

Our agent got us all the comps, which fueled the offer. Closest comp to their home sold for 419,900. Perhaps not as meticulously cared for but it was almost the exact same house (plan/sqft) in the same community.

We are getting it on the selling end too. Bought the house in '09 for 209, from a guy that had a mortgage of 249...we priced at 209 and accepted 198. Tons of foreclosures ruining mid-market values.

The buyer of our current home doesn't have the cash (FHA) so we have to jump through hoops to make the bank happy.

I.E. the back deck joists don't have the metal hangers attaching them to the sill plate, there are 11 joists...they requested a $1500 credit!?

[Rusty914s]

I think is appropriate to text someone to ask/give heads up on needed communication. A text isn't very intrusive.

Brokers need to know that they're dealing with clients that work regular hours so after hours/weekends is part of the gig.

It is up to the broker to take time to decompressed.

Quote de greglepore

Yeah, that's why agents burn out-people text them at 7am and 9 pm on weekends, holidays etc. You have to work 18hrs a day 7 days a week. No respect for private time or space

Actually, my text was asking her if I could call her. She replied yes.



Whenever I get a hold of her, I always ask if it is a good time or not. And I know that she won't return my calls if she is unable to do so. BTW: her husband and I work together, so we are friends.



Regarding that NJ Realtor caught doing the nasty at a client's home -- that occurred in my town - I know that house. And no, my realtor is neither of the agents caught in the video!



-Z-man.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by Tobra

A lot of agents will not show any home that does not have a real estate agent representing the seller.

To my knowledge, not one person I know has had a positive experience with a realtor. No offense Mr Lepore, but that line of work seems to attract a lot of people that I would just as soon have no interaction with at all.

^ Most folks still work with realtors. Without offering the buying agent a % of the deal all will actively avoid your home - of course. Sucks that the industry is so rigged but that's the game. So that said in active markets I have always been able to negotiate the total compensation to 4% (split equally to buyer/seller agent 2%). Not a bad deal for my agent (used the same in all 3 transactions) as my home always sold within 10 days. Of course your local market will dictate how that actually goes down.

My agent ALWAYS responded the same day to calls and text messages without exception. I normally avoid off hours and weekends/holidays out of respect but when a deal is brewing then 24/7 is expected and was provided.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Rusty914s

I think is appropriate to text someone to ask/give heads up on needed communication. A text isn't very intrusive.

Brokers need to know that they're dealing with clients that work regular hours so after hours/weekends is part of the gig.

It is up to the broker to take time to decompressed.

That can work both ways, out of respect they should call at 9pm or sitting in traffic at 6am and want to talk.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Rusty914s

I think is appropriate to text someone to ask/give heads up on needed communication. A text isn't very intrusive.

Brokers need to know that they're dealing with clients that work regular hours so after hours/weekends is part of the gig.

It is up to the broker to take time to decompressed.

Of course, they do know that. But crap, when is the "time"-if M-F is "biz hours" and the weekends/ eve's are when the client's who work biz hours are available?

I'm not crying, but this is a major cultural issue-not just for realtors (I'm not, just very attached to one) but to all of us with cell phones. We are slaves to the tech. People expect that because the device is on we're obligated to acknowledge. Its to the point that my s/o and I are drafting a doc on what her clients can expect and what she expects in return.

Believe me, I know what time pressures people operate under. But at some point we need to take control.

z, I get what you're saying, you had a friendship first. Imagine if you didn't...

Sorry all for the drift, rant off.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by Rusty914s

I think is appropriate to text someone to ask/give heads up on needed communication. A text isn't very intrusive.

Brokers need to know that they're dealing with clients that work regular hours so after hours/weekends is part of the gig.

It is up to the broker to take time to decompressed.

My broker just called me this evening at 8:30 to discuss a potential buyer. I'd rather she call me with information like that, just as she prefers to call me if I have some pertinent information for her as well! I guess it all depends on the agent and what kind of relationship he or she has with the clients.

-Z

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just an aside, but any suggestions on finding a good realtor? My current plan (if we sell) is to call multiple realtors and essentially interview them. Just a discussion of how they will go about selling my home. If they want the job, they should have to tell me why they are the best. Right?

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Just an aside, but any suggestions on finding a good realtor? My current plan (if we sell) is to call multiple realtors and essentially interview them. Just a discussion of how they will go about selling my home. If they want the job, they should have to tell me why they are the best. Right?

What questions do you ask? Because you know the lying SOBs won't admit to being flakes!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Step 1, set up an appointment to see the house. If they don't show up on time, no deal. After we walk through the house with them my question is simple - how much can you sell this house for, what is that number based on, and what process will you follow to do so? Because the biggest value of a selling agent is the listing, I want to hear how they will go about creating the ad and listing the house.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Tobra

To my knowledge, not one person I know has had a positive experience with a realtor.

I bought and sold several houses with the same realtor, and would have continued if she hadn't moved to Texas to be close to her new grandchildren.
She earned every full commission I paid her, and was a joy to work with.

I have now found another winner agent. So far there has only been one purchase, but I will definitely call again when I want to buy or sell.
And when I sell, I will gladly pay 6%, as I want the agent to like working with me. It's a two-way street.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Step 1, set up an appointment to see the house. If they don't show up on time, no deal. After we walk through the house with them my question is simple - how much can you sell this house for, what is that number based on, and what process will you follow to do so? Because the biggest value of a selling agent is the listing, I want to hear how they will go about creating the ad and listing the house.

Any decent Realtor is not going to quote a price out front. They will take inventory of your home and what's currently on the market and what sold in the last 3-6 months. They will re-approach with their suggested listing price. They should come to the table with printed out comps of recent sales and current competing homes for sale. They (your Realtor) must be professional and look the part. Before speaking with a random Realtor I would network to see if anyone you know/trust has a recommendation. Some of the best folks in the industry don't advertise - don't need to. They get all their work on referral.

edit - as I said I have used the same Realtor for our last 3 home sales and purchases. I would not hesitate to use them again. I think the key is that you need to be educated on the market and what is selling. They will bring the connections and offer MLS exposure. Every single time the wife and I knew more about the local market than our preferred Realtor. The Realtor brought a good name in the business and the connections.

Best of luck Matt!

[slakjaw]

sometimes texts dont go through.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Step 1, set up an appointment to see the house. If they don't show up on time, no deal. After we walk through the house with them my question is simple - how much can you sell this house for, what is that number based on, and what process will you follow to do so? Because the biggest value of a selling agent is the listing, I want to hear how they will go about creating the ad and listing the house.

Ignore the open house answer as very few homes are sold at open house. The agent should have a very solid marketing plan that includes sending information to other agencies. Ask if they keep the listing in house for a period of time before cooperating with other agencies (some companies do that) Understand what duty the agent will be acting under. AVOID dual agency because at that point the agent is only a paper shifter and a high paid one at that. You want the agent representing only you in the transaction. A good agent should be able to pull comps on your home from their phone or Ipad to base their estimated sale price upon. Ask each agent what the average marketing time is from list to sell. Don't list with the person who shows you the highest estimated selling price unless they have EXCELLENT like kind transactions to back up that price. Many agents will throw a high number to get you to list then as weeks pass by without an offer they'll come to you and suggest a lower price. Ask if the agent only works with Pre Approved buyers (not pre-qualified)

[greglepore]

Avoiding the agent with an unsupportable listing price is excellent advice, for the reasons above plus the fact that the house needs to appraise if the buyer requires a mortgage. Don't over-fear "underpricing", if the price is low you'll just attract a lot of showings, and in this relatively low inventory environment perhaps even a quick offer above asking, significantly.