There've been a few times when I was asked the full name of my clients. I'm guessing it was because I was showing kind of out of my area, Wadsworth agent showing in Cleveland, Garfield, Maple, and the like Heights areas. All though, we're all members of the same MLS, so I don't exactly get the "out of area" thing. I understand the paper trail thing, but if you, personally keep good records, there shouldn't be a problem. As a side thing, though, the one thing that really threw me, was almost no lock boxes up there. Owners were present for showings about 95% of the time.

Yes, I agree on the importance of keeping documentation in order, that's important in this business. You need to keep files in proper order as these documentations, and contracts are legal, and may be called upon at a later time.

KT, what get's me is, listings with camel lock boxes. I can't seem to find out where to purchase one. I was directed to CABOR's website, and I didn't see any there? Would you happen to know where I can get one?

I got mine from my mom, when I had the same thing happen! I don't now where you'd be able to get one other than maybe a locksmith? Or if you know of someone who's been around for 25+ years, most of the long-time agents seem to have one, or at least know how to get their hands on one.

Your're right! Every broker that I have had, had been around 25+ years or more in the business, and they all had one, including my current broker. She says that I can use hers, but it creates a hardship, since she lives on the other side of town, and I would have to return it ASAP. To avoid the headache, I check listings for type of lock, and avoid those with the camel lock. I would go the extra mile only if I new it would lead to an offer being made--not for my "sight-seers." --you know what I mean? (smiles)

Absolutely! I think it's strange that there's not really any continuity throughout the MLS areas for access to homes. I belong to both in the area, with access to Wayne/Holmes through CRIS, and just don't get it. I know some areas are more likely to use one method or the other, but I always thought that as a listing agent, the easier a house is to get access to by other agents, the quicker it would sell.

umhumm...that's what I thought, exactly. But, perhabs their is a "method to the madness" when you think about it...using locks with hard to find (obsolete) keys are a way of deterring a buyer's agent from getting a sale, and therefore, splitting the commission. I put file this right along with agents, who use a separate telephone number for MLS Listings, that they never answer, and return calls days later. These agents are realtors, and it appears that they are following the board, and NORMLs rules, but they are in fact treading in the "gray" area so that you can't say that they are breaking the rules.

Thats my opinion on the matter...what do you think? Have you been involved in similar incidents?---

Oh yeah. One in particular involving an e-box. I don't have an e-key, cuz I didn't trade it in when the Akron board switched to the new ones, and hubby doesn't want me to get another, in his words, not mine, RE is a racket, and I'd just be helping to make it worse.

Anyhow, this one home was in an area that usually doesn't use e-boxes, and me not having one, I called both the agent and the office asking if a key could be made available so I could show, and it really could have been "the one" for these buyers. I was told a firm no way, by both the office and agent, even after I volunteered to pick up and drop off the same day. But there was an open scheduled 2 weeks from when the buyers wanted to see it, and I could send them to that. Nice, huh? Good thing my buyers were understanding, and ended up purchasing a very similar model home, for about 6k less than that other one.

Good Going KT!

That burns me up, to no end when the seller's agent won't cooperate with entry. Here's one---I had a customer who was interested in getting in to see a home located about three doors down from me, on my street. I did the right thing, since I'm a realtor, and all--I contacted the listing agent, to set-up a showing. I asked her if she could be there to open the home, since it had a CAML LOCKBOX. She straightforwardly told me that, there was "no way" she was coming ALL THE WAY from (wherever far) to let me, and my buyer in to the home. I had informed her that my buyer was really ready to purchase, and this could possibly be a sale. She still declined. The nerve, I thought. So, I told her flatly, "Fine, I know Eric, we live on the same street (that's my neighbor who is selling his home) and I will go down to his house and ask him if he's going to be there to let us in since he hasn't moved. The listing agent was shocked, she changed her tune, and informed me that "oh yes", she replied, "I will call him, and check to see if that will be all right, ok?" "Thank you Ms. Hobson." Yeah, right, I thought! This agent was full of it. If the house was so far away, and an inconvenience for her to get to, then why did she list it? I walked down to Eric's and informed him that I had a buyer interested, and we made arrangements. I did the right thing, and followed up with this agent, though.

I have had it with these agents, and their "tatics" to clearly deter buyer's agents from making sales on their listings. I do not bite my tongue anymore with these crooks! I inform them that I am a realtor, and I have a right to show this property. I will take it further, if needed, and report the incident. I pay my board dues and MLS fees (and they are not cheap), and I am entitled to entrance to these listings.

What do you think about the "uneven" commission splits that a certain company does??? When I called the company and inquired about the uneven commission split, I was informed that, "we take 4% because we have to pay for the marketing for the seller." Okay, what about my expense in marketing for buyers???

Your thoughts on this one...

Hey, we're going to have to start a new thread!! (smiles)---

Commission splits don't bother me so much, as I'm REALLY trying to utilize an EBA. For me, I feel more comfortable showing any and all available homes that may interest my clients, and will still be compensated, whether it's a FSBO, or whatever.

But. What does burn me up, is when there's a problem with whatever, still gonna make it to close, but things come up, and someone wants $$ in return for their trouble, but that agency that's keeping a higher split, won't even make an effort to split the $$ w/the buyer's broker, even though the delay was partially their fault.

I put file this right along with agents, who use a separate telephone number for MLS Listings, that they never answer, and return calls days later.
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Why would anyone do that? What would be their reason?

Why you ask??? Uhmmmmm.... Maybe the same reason an agent gave me a the "number" combo for an alpha lockbox. Then when she "finally" returned my call told me, oh...ha-ha, there's two lockboxs on the door. There weren't two lockboxes on the door and I felt she knew that. The list of these type of incidents can go on beyond the scope of this forum, believe me!

KT, you know what I do, with those listings from the certain company, I don't show em.

But listen, I don't really want to sound too negative here, and turn my fellow agents off. It is good to have a place to come to, where you can blow off steam, and people understand! Thanks!

Just anothre thought. It may simply be a cse of a very strong personality. You may just have to learn to deal with those strong personality types. Its one of the things I had to learn. I took a class from Flyod Wickman and he taught us how to control the situation with questions. Sometimes you have to just make the other one feel like they are in control. However in reality you are you just guilded them where you want them to go.