We came home this evening to a message on our business line from an agent who had shown a small one bedroom condo we have as a short sale. It has some dated cabinetry....could use some fresh paint and the seller is a smoker who knows she is losing her home.
"We were in and out of your condo listing on XYZ in 3 minutes...!" the agent began..."The Smell of smoke was just terrible and it needs new counters and fresh paint....oh and the buyer wasn't pre-qualified...(that was written as a requirement in MLS,..duh) Other condos in the complex were $20,000 more but the buyer didn't feel they were worth it."
Can you say SHORT SALE....????
Did you explain to your buyer what a short sale is....and that sometimes when "life gets in the way" and jobs are lost, medical bills are overwhelming, sellers get behind in their mortgage payments...and gee maybe painting and new countertops should come before...hmmmm....eating and gasoline.
I wrote the agent an e-mail...thanked her for showing it and said that since the unit was not very big it would not cost very much to update and I knew about the smoke but was not about to ask someone losing their home to go smoke outside.....a minimal update expenditure would provide instant equity and bring the unit up to past sales prices.
She shot back an e-mail and said she was just being honest and she would certainly remember that the next time she showed one of our listings. Oh pulllleez...you are an experienced agent...you are supposed to be working for the seller, not the don't-know-if-they-are-qualified buyer....and could you try a little compassion and professional courtesey sprinkled into your oh sooooo not sweet "showing report." Are you realistic about showing reports for short sales ?
IF you have a short sale in southeastern Wisconsin and aren't sure how to handle it as an agent..or you are behind on your mortgage payments as a consumer and don't want the threat of foreclosure and the scar it leaves o your credit...go to:www.WeSellUpsideDowHomes.com or e-mail: Experts@WeSellUpsideDownHomes.com and we'll be happy to help you....with professionalism and compassion and schooled and experienced in the process.
Sally-Great post. It's amazing to me how ridiculous many agents, even in today's market, seem to act. Not only to each other but even worse-TO SELLERS! If they would only realize that it's because you are out listing property that they have the opportunity to show properties to buyers or even pseudo-buyers in this case.
Keep you chin up. This market will more than likely wipe agents like the one you described out of the business before the end of the year. That would be a blessing to us all!
You know, not a big fan of feedback here but you got the little mice who run the wheels in my head turning. YOu could definitely use these reports for the bank to help with approval.
Thank you Renee...AND your little mice ! Talk about making lemonade from lemons...good job !
Oh yes... the surley agents- there are a few of them. I just try to distill what I can from them and let the rest slide.
I have really enjoyed reading your blog. I am relatively new to AR and have noticed you have received a lot of points and have achieved a remarkable high ranking. Congratulations! May I ask if you have had success in turning your high ranking into business? I am curious if it has been a profitable venture personally as well as financially. Thanks for sharing and best of luck in your business.
I have written you a private e-mail James...welcome to the Rain...come on in with both feet...no boots necessary !
Sally, with 20k a lot of updating can be done, they missed the point (and the deal) for sure.
I fault the none-too-bright but experienced realtor for that one...rumor hs it we should have an offer today...you win some, you lose some...she lost...hopefully, we win ! Thanks !
Sally, to cool, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the offer is a good one.
Thank you for sharing your experience about short sales, many people in my office avoid them and seem scared or something. It's hard to find out certain info, but thanks to active rain I usually have all the resources I need in the form of 100K agents like yourselves