Professional Courtesy or Sabotage?

Professional Courtesy or SABOTAGE?

I’ve been a Knoxville, TN, REALTOR for 3 decades and I’ve seen a LOT of agent conduct over the years…most of it exemplary.  I’ve experienced agents with other Knoxville area firms showing my clients properties when I was ill, Farragut, TN, REALTORS assisting with inspections when I could not personally do so myself, etc.

I’ve also experienced some less than polite behavior on the part of agents.  I’d like to share some of my “pet peeves” with you:  If our MLS system states, “24 hour notice required”, I comply.  Recently, I called TWO DAYS before I wanted to show a particular home and the listing agent’s appointment center DID NOT make the call until late on the day of the appointment; my appointment request was denied, of course.  I called the listing agent, to be told, “We’ve been having that problem with our appointment center.  They always wait until the last minute to set the appointments because they are so busy”.  This is unacceptable on so many levels.  It’s the agent and broker’s duty to make sure that showing requests are confirmed asap.  The agent knew there was a problem, but didn’t let anyone else know…the sellers lost a showing, my buyers lost an opportunity, as well.  I’ll bet the agent didn’t tell the sellers WHY the appointment was not confirmed 24 hours in advance…it’s deplorable and unprofessional!

I’ve had appointments for homes with combinations lockboxes instead of the REALTORS’ SUPRA box used in our Knoxville area; the last agent I called couldn’t remember the combination, so he gave me a list of possible combinations, all 3 digit.  When the client and I arrived at the property, I found it is a 4 DIGIT box…I called the office of the listing agent, they had no idea what the combination was; I tried to call the agent directly, but he didn’t answer.  I looked like an idiot and the client could only peer through the window.  And I’d be willing to bet the seller doesn’t have a clue why his home hasn’t sold!

At a showing in Farragut, the client and I spent 15 minutes searching for a hidden lockbox.  I called the listing office, they had no clue where it was; the agent was out of town and the “back up agent” didn’t know.  We finally found it on the limb of a tree in the back yard.  Makes you wonder if the agent wants to sell the house at all…

When agents show my listings, a feedback request is sent to them.  This is the agent’s opportunity to comment on the home and their buyer’s perception of the property.  This is good information for me and the seller I represent.  Sometimes I have to request the feedback numerous times via e-mail, make several phone calls…still no feedback.  AGENTS:  RETURN YOUR CALLS.  These are the same agents who call ME for feedback on THEIR listings before I’ve backed out of the property’s drive way!

I’ve confirmed showings with agents well in advance, then I’ve called the day before to make sure there were no contracts on the property.  I did this for a showing last Friday.  I showed a number of homes to the clients.  On Saturday, we went back to the top three…I was told:  no offers, no contracts.  I spoke directly with the agent.  On Saturday afternoon, I presented an offer for purchase to the listing agent to be told, “We got an accepted offer THURSDAY.  This offer will be a back-up”.  This is totally unacceptable; the clients were hugely disappointed, I looked bad and all of this because the agent lied to me and just wanted multiple offers to impress the seller.  It’s a violation of ethics and professional conduct.  I’m still mad about that one!

3 days ago, I called a listing office to set up an appointment to show a property.  The office informed me that the agent set up appointments on that property himself and he would call me right back.  I’ve left a message each day and NO return call.  I called the agent’s Broker; he told me this was a reliable agent and he couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard from him.  I suggested a trip to the Sheriff’s Office to file a MISSING PERSON REPORT!

I found a couple of properties with a 1% cooperating commission.  I personally find this insulting and called the agent to verify:  Yes, it’s one percent to the selling agency…”they are friends of mine so I gave them a break!”  Are you kidding me?  They are NOT friends of MINE and YOU are doing them a disservice with that low commission.

Another peeve is agents ignoring the time frame on the offer…if my clients asked for a response by a particular time/date, call me IMMEDIATELY  to explain why this won’t happen or get off your anatomy and do your job!

Photos on the MLS are frequently misleading.  If agents take photos of the lake, mountains, etc., these great scenes should be visible from the home; if not, the photos should clearly state that they were taken from the neighborhood.  It’s really embarrassing to show up expecting a fabulous view to find the only thing one can see from the subject property is the neighbor’s house.  AND the quality of the photos is frequently dreadful!  Take a good photo, folks.  I recently took an evening class at the nearby University of Tennessee:  Architectural Photography.  It was fun and I learned a lot. 

And if the house has no roof, windows busted out or dog poo on the floor, tell me ahead of time!    I need to prepare the buyers for adverse conditions.

Don’t tell me the dog is friendly.  Most dogs have teeth and can bite.  Put the dog in a crate.  I innocently opened a closet in a condo and, at eye level, 6” from my nose, on top of the washing machine, was a huge bull dog!  I was so startled that I let out a scream that should have brought the police!  Luckily the dog was not upset and didn’t even bark, but that was alarming to say the least.  He didn’t even jump off the washer…just stood there, looking at us…no crate, no restraints…just an amused look on his face.

I showed a lake house a couple of weeks ago.  The agent and the appointment center never mentioned an alarm.  By the time I got out to the house, I was well out of range for cell service.  The alarm was deafening and I had no way to contact the agent for instructions.  I showed another lake house with a silent alarm.  I had no instructions from the listing agent or the appointment center.  That time, the police came and they were not amused to find a REALTOR and a family looking at the home.  We all had to produce identifications and it took time for the officers to check us out.

Last week, I was setting up appointments for 15 properties for the following day.  As I made my way through the list, I discovered that 8…more than ½…were under contract and still had “active” status on the MLS.  This, too, is unethical and unprofessional.  A couple of these properties were scheduled to close within a few days and one had actually closed!  This makes buyers think that their agent doesn’t know what is going on!

It all makes me wonder how so many incompetent agents can earn a living in real estate…or do they?  Do they just go into business for their own amusement and to create problems for the rest of us?

ON THE FLIP SIDE of these peeves are the really great things about some agents…the ones who put lockboxes where they are easily seen OR who instruct the appointment center to tell me the box location.  The agents who return calls promptly…in the Knoxville area, we have several agents with volume production that puts them into the TOP AGENTS IN THE SOUTH EAST category.  They are the best producers and busiest agents in the business and they return calls THEMSELVES and very promptly.  If these volume producers can do it, everyone can.

One Knoxville real estate company offers their agents the services of a professional photographer.  The photos are superb and the cost to these agents is nominal, since the company picks up most of the bill.  What I find unbelievable is that some of their agents won’t use this service…and when you look at the MLS, you know which agents take their own photos.

This is a people business.  REALTORS are typically kind and considerate of their clients…they should treat each other with kindness and consideration as well.  It takes so little effort and makes a huge difference in all our lives!

Please visit: http://www.LaurelGrandle.com. You can begin the search for your perfect home right there!

Laurel Grandle sells homes throughout the Knoxville, TN Area, including Karns, Farragut, Halls, Powell, Loudon County, Knox County.

Laurel specializes in Lake Front Properties, Luxury Homes, Historic Homes, New Construction and she is an expert at matching buyers with the right house, regardless of the area or price range.  She has over 30 years of experience and has helped thousands of clients with their real estate needs.

Comments from some of Laurel’s former clients:

 

JAN LEWIS    "Laurel will go out of her way and do whatever she can do to market your property.  She is creative with her marketing strategy and is always ready to do something different to generate interest.  See full post

  

Robert and I have known Laurel Grandle for over 25 years now.  She was involved in: finding a home for us, selling one, and/or taking care of closing and financing for well over a half dozen homes for ourselves, family, and friends.  In all cases, she was super professional and very responsive…see full post

When I think of Laurel Grandle I am reminded of the old saying, "It's not what you know but who you know that counts".   Life get's a whole lot easier when you know who to call.  See full post

Trulia Post,