I'm going to try and keep this post as short as possible and am very hopeful that I can get some constructive and objective advise.

At the end of May I listed a property with an agent that had recently sold the house across the street from me for a price that was reasonable (not over or under priced based on comps) and did so quickly given the current market.

I interviewed her twice and prior to getting the listing she was VERY good. I mean, VERY VERY VERY good. She had terrific ideas that even I didn't think of (and I've bought and rented property for almost 20 years). As I said, I prior to signing, it was clear that she was VERY good at "selling" (at least "selling me" to list with her).

Once the property was listed things started to quickly go down hill. When it came time to photograph the property, the photographs were HORRIBLE (blurry, date stamp, dark, just horrible -- the point where a 12 year old said "that's really bad!" -- anyway, I called and discussed the bad pictures and was told they would be fixed. They weren't. The date stamp is STILL there to this day. The writeup was horrible, to the point where I had to rewrite it because the agent couldn't proofread anything. The writeup got a little better after a lot of begging.

Naturally, by now, all the "other" sites (realtor.com, zillow, etc.) had picked up the listing, some I could correct manually (Zillow), others I have no way to fix unless I'm the agent.

Anyway... that is just a taste of the total disaster behind the media end of things.

Additional information:
- 6 month listing (I want to vomit just thinking about this)
- Nothing about the kind of realtor.com listing in the contract
- Nothing about how I can get out of from under this horror in the contract

As far as negotiations go, she basically does what she wants and doesn't really listen or entertain any suggestion(s) that I make.

I know what you're going to say: "Talk to the broker". Haahahahahahahaha I did that, three times. Even had a conference call with him and the agent. In the end the broker says they are going to do such-and-such and it never happens. When you call and ask why it never happens, he hangs up on you.

Next step: I called the national head office and asked what to do... ready for this one?!?! They say to call the next nearest broker and have that broker-of-record call your broker-of-record and try to hash it out. That was a total failure. It's basically, a no win situation.

... Mind you, I understand (fully) the market that we're in, and I understand that inventory is sky-high. But what I can tell you is that in this particular development, properties that are priced right and remodeled sell VERY quickly... but this one hasn't.

Next... I've tried communicating with other agents to find one that IS interested in properly marketing the property (proper photos, etc.) and they all come across as mine did. They are all nice-nice and they're going to do the world to sell the property. Then you ask them to send it all over to you in writing. I NEVER HEAR BACK FROM THEM AGAIN!

So, there you have it. There's even more, but I think that should paint a good picture of what I'm up against.

Let me have it.

Pete

Next... I've tried communicating with other agents to find one that IS interested in properly marketing the property (proper photos, etc.) and they all come across as mine did. They are all nice-nice and they're going to do the world to sell the property. Then you ask them to send it all over to you in writing. I NEVER HEAR BACK FROM THEM AGAIN!

^^^^^Because you're under contract with a broker, is why. We're not allowed to interfere.

As far as negotiations go, she basically does what she wants and doesn't really listen or entertain any suggestion(s) that I make.

^^^^^What negotiations? Are you in escrow?

- What do you mean "interfere"? I'm asking them to put what they are promising in writing... if nothing else, so I can have them "ready" when the contract ends... or when my attorney compels the broker to release me.

- Offer/counteroffer negotiations.

"Interfere" as in get in the middle of a seller and his agent. We can't do that. They'll get back to you after your listing expires.

What do you need that will make you happy?

If you read my OP it will tell you some of the issues -- hence, not having those issues would make me happy. Thanks.

Look at your original contract and see what it says. Its not her job to take your advice. She has to follow your orders though. Offering advice and issuing an order are different. She may not agree with your order though, but must follow it.

Make a record of everytime you called, emailed, showed up at the office and got no results. You can claim your agent abandoned you by not returning calls, emails, if the brokerage wants to actually sue for fees. That opens up a chance to interview other agents and get what you want.

But does your experience also include having sold some Real Estate . . . . or is this your first time out ?

You've been listed since way back at the end of May (2011) ? Is that all of six weeks? It sounds like you've taken this adversarial position since the beginning. I sincerely wonder how anyone can concentrate on getting your property sold when you're engaged in this continuous nit-picking.

I really don't see where you have anything YET to be seriously bothered with . . . . but this is just the beginning of the sales effort. Did that only begin once you were under the Listing Agreement? Were your neighbors across the street as disappointed as you are? If they're still in the area, you should ask them. But as you said, the same horrible Agent did succeed in selling their home.

I think you'd tend to find something wrong with everything that anyone does in working for you on anything. . . . so it might be best, when the Contract expires, to do it yourself perfectly. Otherwise, you will never be happy.

I wonder if the Agent is the one who has the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality (Before the Listing and After) . . . . or is it you ?

@ REO: Thank you for the advice and thoughts! I've been keeping a log and doing so is drawing a VERY good picture that she is doing NOTHING in my best interest. I'll give you an example (especially for Vermont to read): One party that is interested in the property made another counter offer. My agent asked me what I wanted to counter offer. I sent her a list of various scenarios that would work (different sale amounts with other variables). I asked my agent to look at it and let me know which one she wanted to do. FOUR DAYS LATER I call her and ask what ever happened to the last offer (which scenario did she think would be best, etc.).

Her answer? She made an offer that was NONE of the scenarios that I listed! I didn't even bother to reply to her yet -- at this point, I'm concentrating on getting a few other agents to put their "promises" in writing and then I'll select one from there. Hopefully, my attorney can get a letter to the current agency to get me out of this disaster quickly.

@ Vermont: With all due respect, you're not offering a single bit of help. I know I know I know... I'm just a stupid seller and you need to "control" the seller and all of that crap. Again, and with all due respect, I'm looking for solutions, and not for people like you. Thank you and have a Blessed Day.

I sent her a list of various scenarios that would work (different sale amounts with other variables). I asked my agent to look at it and let me know which one she wanted to do.


^^^^^ wrong answer. It's your decision to counter whatever you want as long as it's legal.

FOUR DAYS LATER I call her and ask what ever happened to the last offer (which scenario did she think would be best, etc.)

^^^^ sounds like she's avoiding you.

Her answer? She made an offer that was NONE of the scenarios that I listed! I didn't even bother to reply to her yet -- at this point I started running around and bad-mouthing her based on assumptions (paraphrased.)

^^^^ if there is any way that you two can talk, I would highly recommend it. You need to find out why she didn't present your myriad of offers - maybe she did - maybe they were illegal - who knows? You don't know but you are complaining and bad-mouthing her to everyone who'll listen.

All I know for sure is the same as what Vermont knows - you're nit picky. They fixed the media and you're still whining - they've brought in offers to counter but you're not happy with the Realtor.com website that wasn't even needed because you're getting offers, right?

Do have a talk with your Realtor.
And stop being so mean.
Ok?

I beginning to think it's an industry thing based on the lack of reading that some folks here are doing with my OP.

First, nitpicky? Really? Typos, lying on the listing? The media is STILL not right. Not sure where you read it was fixed.

The reason she didn't present my scenarios is likely because they included her reducing her (and the buyer's agent's) commissions by .003% (That's right by 3/10 of a point!)... But she said she'd "consider it" -- which never happened.

I've already been looking at securing domain names to set up sites to warn others not steer clear of this agency... It's my responsibility to warn others about how they operate.

All I'm looking for here is any advice that the honest members of the forum can provide as to how to get rid of her and any hints or ideas for interviewing a replacement that does what they say. I've got two prospects, and so far they BOTH claim they'll put in writing all the things that this woman has done wrong - so it doesn't happen again.

So you can mistaken your lack of attention to detail for "nitpicky" LOL. But at the end of the day, it is what it is. If you don't have attention to detail, you can keep your sloppy listings and your sloppy business practices and let the professional agents get the business. ;)

Let me get this straight. You are asking your Realtor to take a paycut after you signed the listing agreement at 6% (I assume)

So let's look at this scenerio. What would you do tomorrow if you showed up at work and your boss said hey needhelpinnj I need to tell you that we will have you work your normal 5 day 40 hour work week all month but we are docking your pay $600.00 for no good reason... Are you cool with that??

And by the way since it is ol for this month it will be the new norm and you just took a $7,200.00 annual salary cut.

This is what you are asking your agent to do.

If your agent offered up $600 to close a deal that is one thing but you as the seller have no right to demand that any Realtor take a paycut.

In addition you cut the listing agents pay and they still have to pay the buyers agent full commission as stated in the listing agreement/MLS listing. This is NOT negotiable by any broker.

It seems that you are not happy with the professional opinion of anyone who has reached out.

I would suggest letting your listing expire and go FSBO.

This way you will only have yourself to blame for any further issues in selling your home.

There are a lot of great agents out there for you to choose from. Maybee you got a bad apple but is not the industry standard by any means.

Good luck to you.

Happy 4th...

We did; but you don't seem to like it.I'm sorry. I thought you wanted objective advise advice. You deserve a FULL REFUND.
That's part of the problem. But you just think you know.
But really, I don't think you should proofread anything either. Just have someone else check what you've written here today.I think NJ Agents are smart enough to recognize your profile.
Your sincerity is profane; but you have one of those too! And recognize that having an Offer on your property is a Blessing (IF you really want to sell).

Ugh, Vermont. I know I'm the newbie here... but people like you really are a huge part of the problem. I'm sorry it's not 2006 anymore and that you actually have to work for your money now. But don't take it out on the customer. Sort of funny to watch you defend gross incompetence, however...

Okay here goes.......Did you hire her because she was easy to look at and made you feel good?

An objective look at this -

He said, she said doesn't have any teeth. Written records (certfied mail, emails with sent dates) work.

I have been keeping a journal - Again, it's not really a written record. Kind of like a diary, it's a one sided document.

Start a "bash" website - Lot's of people do that. The internet empowers them to publish almost anything. But be sure you can document anything you publish. The cost of defending your website in any kind of slander lawsuit will eat up all your real estate transaction profits.

How should you proceed: If you have email addresses for all of the parties, send you requests and cc: everyone involved. Then you are on-record that the media is amateurish and that your counteroffers are clear to everyone involved. I always get counters via email. And I would never accept a list of four possible counters. Settle on one and an agent will convey it to a buyer's agent.

If you have a problem, try contacting the local Realtor Association. They should respond to a consumer complaint, but you need to realize that plenty of people with petty issues show up at associations wanting the scalp of some agent or broker. You need to keep it logical, factual and to the point. Name calling and finger pointing just bring you down to another level.

I hope it all works out well for you.