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#154566 - 07/10/07 09:13 PM
How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
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Member
Registered: 07/08/07
Posts: 34
Loc: GA
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I recently listed my personal home and didn't have it on lockbox, due to my home office and children. I did state in the notes section of the listing EZ access w/24 hr notice.
I had a local agent call me one day and was pretty insistent that she show my home that very same day to her MD clients that were relocating. This agent said that my home was in the top 3 of their picks from looking at the listing and they would be making a decision within 24 hrs of viewing the home. I told the agent that I had several appts. already scheduled and would not be at my home until late afternoon and it would be better if she showed the home the next morning. Again the home was not on lock box and I would make it available in less than 24 hrs as stated in the listing.
The agent not only called me back and left me 2 messages, asking to please let her have access to the home, she got her partner to call me and persuade/almost beg, to find a way for them to access my home within 1 1/2 hours! By this point I was stressed out and trying to rearrange the rest of my day...needless to say I was a good drive away! 
With major persuasion behind their calls, I cancelled my appointments and rushed home to "straighten up" and open up the home for them to view.
Later that afternoon (2-3 hrs after the showing), I followed up with the agent to see how things went. She said they loved the home, it was in the "running" and asked for some additional info on the property and the Seller's disclosure to be faxed to her. I promptly (w/i 30 min) faxed her the requested info and followed up w/a call to make sure she received it. She confirmed receipt and said she would "know something" that same evening or the next morning and she'd be in touch. At this point I felt pretty confident an offer was on it's way 
The evening rolled around and the next morning came and went. I call her mid afternoon and this was her response "I'm in the middle of something right now, I'll have to call you back" and she hung up!! I called her late that afternoon and she did not answer. I followed up the very next morning, only to receive her voice mail and I left her a message requesting the courtesy of a call (I wanted feedback if nothing more). This same agent presented an offer on another home w/i 2 days of showing my home...the house her clients bought was next door to my colleagues listing! I not upset that her clients purchased another home, they found what they wanted and the agent got a sale. My home is in the luxury market and I don't expect it to sell overnight.
That was 2 mos ago and I've not heard from her again. I know our paths will cross again; we work the same market and I sold her partners listing about 5 mos ago. 
Given the fact that she was SO very insistent on gaining access to my home and persuading me to make the home accessible for her within such short notice (she knew that I had several appts. which I cancelled and I could have potentially lost business)  , don't you guys think this was way out of line and plain RUDE?
You have no idea what I wanted to say to her and I'm glad that a couple of mos. has gone by.
In your opinion do you think it's too late to send her an email, briefly pointing out her lack of manners?
Feedback appreciated.Meli220http://www.MelissaWhite.com
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#154611 - 07/10/07 10:51 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ga_re]
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Veteran Member
Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 598
Loc: Atlanta GA
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It's rude but I probably wouldn't say anything. She may have another buyer someday for one of your listings.
On listings with Sellers that don't want lockboxes, I will frequently hide a combination lockbox, in case some situation arises like that, then I can give them the code and don't have to put myself out running across town in rush hour.
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#154615 - 07/10/07 10:53 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ga_re]
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Member
Registered: 03/24/07
Posts: 129
Loc: California
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It's way too late to send her an email; beyond that she found her buyers a home and has probably spent that commission already.
You are going to learn as you go along that THERE IS NO ETHICS in this business whatever you read in the CODE OF ETHICS and whatever you read on this page.
Realtyeyes
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#154617 - 07/10/07 11:01 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: Realtyeyes]
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Member
Registered: 02/15/07
Posts: 263
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Yep just let it go, no point in upsetting the other agent, she might remember that and your next listing ends up in the bottom of the pile.
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#154636 - 07/10/07 11:55 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: Kep]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 06/23/04
Posts: 3370
Loc: Central Illinois
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Just let it go. You waited too long to address the behavior. She knows she is inconsiderate and I bet you are not the only agent to have learned this fact. I would have sent the e-mail within a couple of weeks.
I would be willing to bet she has heard everything you would have said to her and I seriously doubt she would not show a future listing because someone said something bad about her!
_________________________
Paul Oaks
Oaks Real Estate Group
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#154665 - 07/11/07 03:39 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ga_re]
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Member
Registered: 06/01/06
Posts: 310
Loc: california
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I can't see anything unusual about this kind of behavior. It is common. Clients can be very demanding and the agent wants to be accomodating.
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#154679 - 07/11/07 05:49 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ReallyReal]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 11/12/06
Posts: 1623
Loc: The Beach
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Michelle,
I agree with ReallyReal. Placing restrictions on showings (no lockbox, advance notice) is something I won't "allow" my seller clients to do and would never do it to myself. Being on the market is inconvenient - it just is. But the easier it is to show your house, the sooner the inconvenience will be over, hopefully.
I don't think the other agent was rude in the beginning. Her clients wanted to see the home and were probably pressuring her to keep after you. She was just doing her job. Not following up was probably simple laziness and disorganization. Which, yeah, can also be called rude!
_________________________
Jennifer Allan, GRI RE/MAX Hall of Fame Author of Sell with Soul, Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect
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#154722 - 07/11/07 09:24 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ONRealtor]
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Member
Registered: 12/31/05
Posts: 219
Loc: Boston Metro
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I had a very similar situation last year. I was listing my own personal condo for sale, something I will never do again. An agent called me for a second showing, but wanted to show it in less than an house. Normally this wouldn't be a problem but my wife was home with our one month old daughter. Not the best timing but we sucked it up and the showing took place. The buyers were almost giddy at the showing talking about how much they loved it. The agent tells me she'll get back to me later that day. Of course I didn't hear from her I made several follow-up calls and sent e-mails to her looking for feedback. She just plain never responded. My first instinct was to call her and rip her a new one. My calmer self prevailed and I let it go. I finally sold my condo and moved one town over. I joined a new local gym and guess what I see her all the time. She can't look me in the eye. She knows she should have given me the courtesy of a call or e-mail. That's all fine. It's a small world in our business. I know what she's like and will have no problem doing business with her in the future. You live and learn..
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#154725 - 07/11/07 09:38 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: AgentinMA]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 01/27/07
Posts: 2747
Loc: LAND OF THE FREE!
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i dont want this to sound mean but if i were teh buyers agent i dont care where you are i just care that my client cant see a house that they might buy.
2 weeks ago i had a client pick 5 houses in a neighborhood and i showed them all to him. he is very fast just walks in through the rooms and then leaves. he saw 4 because the key was missing in one of them. he did not want to go back to the house. he has a ratified contract on one of hte 4 houses that he did see.
my point is that the agent might have had reasons to want to show your home over the others(therefore the badgering), adn knew it was a great fit, but because you made it hard for her and her client they gave up on you.
i demand only a courtesy call from the showing service to get the seller out of hte house on my listings. if a potential buyer cant see the property how can they buy it?
some people around here look for homes on hteir lunch breaks. the last 2 buyers i had did that.
i would reccomend a lockbox and a showing service.
good luck and let us know how it goes:-)
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#154743 - 07/11/07 10:14 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: estatereal]
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Member
Registered: 06/20/07
Posts: 294
Loc: New Jersey
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Let it go. It is not worth even a e-mail at this point, you will just come off as a complaining pain in the butt.
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#154766 - 07/11/07 11:20 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ReallyReal]
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Member
Registered: 12/30/05
Posts: 228
Loc: Rochester, NY
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If you use the Supra boxes ... set yours up with a CBS code (Call Before Showing) then you can leave it up and noone can access it unless/until you give them a code for it.
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#154815 - 07/11/07 02:59 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: realestatefla1]
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Member
Registered: 01/06/05
Posts: 372
Loc: California
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I'm sure this was very frustrating, but to answer your question, let it go. I would look at the big picture, and can't imagine this would be at the top of the list of reasons to confront someone.
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#154824 - 07/11/07 03:17 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: RealtorInCA]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 02/05/05
Posts: 2710
Loc: Las Vegas
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I don't think this agent was being rude by asking to show the home the same day. Her clients were out of town and they wanted to see your home to possibly make an offer. You were not forced to allow them in, you chose to! If you want to sell your home, you will have to make these inconvenient steps along the way. You should have a lockbox on the property. It sounds like nobody was home that day, so if you had a lockbox on the house, you could've easily had it shown and not missed any of your other appointments.
It is not the other agent's problem that you made it difficult to show your home. Even though the MLS says 24 hour showings, there was a potential buyer THAT day! The only part that I would be irritated with is that the other agent didn't have the courtesy to call you back for feedback. Her clients decided to buy a different house, that's all. Move on. This wouldn't be so difficult on you if you made it easier for other agents to show your home. You can't really be angry with anyone but yourself on this one. I would have tried to gain access the same day to if I were the other agent. Many buyers don't have time to wait 24 hours, especially in this market. Sorry.
_________________________
Len McGuirk
Prudential Americana Group
Direct: (702) 203-6688
Las Vegas Real Estate
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#154825 - 07/11/07 03:19 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: RealtorInCA]
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Member
Registered: 03/02/07
Posts: 127
Loc: Tempe, Arizona
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I agree with letting it go. Also, as mentioned, putting showing restrictions can cause missed sales opportunities. I had a client that was very interested in a $1M+ home, but the sellers required 24hr notice and could not be reached. Their agent wouldn't let us in without their approval. My buyer was also considering another home in the area that needed a quick decision. Since she couldn't see the 1st home, she went with the 2nd.
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#154831 - 07/11/07 03:31 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: tempeagent]
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Major Contributor
Registered: 04/21/05
Posts: 1879
Loc: kentucky
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Impulsive, busy people, are often impulsive buyers. If you are motivated to sell your house, you will make it available without any restrictions.
_________________________
Comments made are my opinion, and not intended to be legal advice of any kind.
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#154903 - 07/11/07 09:28 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ReallyReal]
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Veteran Member
Registered: 05/14/05
Posts: 935
Loc: The Milky Way
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Michelle, I understand your retionale for not having a lockbox and yes the agent was rude, but I think you should find a solution for needing the 24 hours notice.
Frankly when I see that in MLS listings I just move on to the next one unless that particular home is just sooo perfect. WHY? Because I see it as a hassle. When I call to see a house for sale, all I want to hear is Yes, come on by in 2 hours, etc.
Something similar just happened. I have a very motivated buyer for a home where the agent says the buyer is motivated. However twice when I have called, "No not today, it is mahjong day." or No, today is bridge day.
I was like forgedaboutit. Who wants to be bothered with that?
Perhaps you can remove the lockbox in the evening or when you are at home and replace it when you leave. The agents still have to schedule showings and you still have to leave your home show ready everytime you leave, however agents can still have access without the hassle for you.
I agree. 24 hours notice is not my idea of ez acess. I had a listing once, both husband and wife were police, and I noted in the listing that they did shift work and would need notice. I got many calls that wanted to show the same day and nearly every time it was not problem. Also I had their schedule so I knew when they would be sleeping. Agents and customers were pretty good about it. And as I said, luckily I didn't have to turn down too many showings.
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#154958 - 07/12/07 12:00 AM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: Agent 007]
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Member
Registered: 07/08/07
Posts: 34
Loc: GA
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I don't think this agent was being rude by asking to show the home the same day. Her clients were out of town and they wanted to see your home to possibly make an offer. You were not forced to allow them in, you chose to! If you want to sell your home, you will have to make these inconvenient steps along the way. You should have a lockbox on the property. It sounds like nobody was home that day, so if you had a lockbox on the house, you could've easily had it shown and not missed any of your other appointments.
It is not the other agent's problem that you made it difficult to show your home. Even though the MLS says 24 hour showings, there was a potential buyer THAT day! The only part that I would be irritated with is that the other agent didn't have the courtesy to call you back for feedback. Her clients decided to buy a different house, that's all. Move on. This wouldn't be so difficult on you if you made it easier for other agents to show your home. You can't really be angry with anyone but yourself on this one. I would have tried to gain access the same day to if I were the other agent. Many buyers don't have time to wait 24 hours, especially in this market. Sorry.
My husband and I are Builders as well...this isn't my first rodeo. Here in the South especially, I would expect a bit more "graciousness" when dealing with colleagues in the business...that's all. Before anyone gets upset, I don't mean that in other geographical areas, people aren't gracious. I simply mean that the South is known for being a bit more laid back and hospitable and still "taking care of business"! 
Common courtesy goes a long way...even in business!
Thank you ALL for sharing your thoughts and comments.
Meli220 http://www.MelissaWhite.com
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#155288 - 07/13/07 06:20 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: ga_re]
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Member
Registered: 03/25/07
Posts: 223
Loc: North America
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Rude is Rude. I had the same experience and was not a happy camper. If it happends again...I will not drop everything to please Mr. and Mrs. I have to see it now Buyer. People rarely buy on impulse and if they really want it...they may come back.
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#155355 - 07/13/07 09:12 PM
Re: How Rude is This ? Agent Etiquette
[Re: real agent]
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Veteran Member
Registered: 05/14/05
Posts: 935
Loc: The Milky Way
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Rude is Rude. I had the same experience and was not a happy camper. If it happends again...I will not drop everything to please Mr. and Mrs. I have to see it now Buyer. People rarely buy on impulse and if they really want it...they may come back. And they may not. I've lost out to another house because I couldn't access one of my listings.
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