Dear Emmy,
I’ve had it with listing agents in this town, and I’m sure I’m not alone. I am tired of wrong or missing information on listings in the MLS: A listing says it’s occupied when it’s vacant and vice versa, it says to use the lockbox but I can’t find one, it says to make an appointment but there’s no contact info… the list goes on and on!
I had all of the above happen when I took a client out to show them property. It was humiliating! Although my client trusts me, her face was clearly showing her annoyance at the situation. My client had taken time off of work to look at properties, and here we were at the front door of a house and we couldn’t get in… no lockbox. Also, it was clear the “occupied” property was now vacant. When I called the listing agent, the response was indifference. He didn’t know they had moved and he had no idea where the lockbox was. He had us call his “partner” (even though no co-listing agent was named on the listing) because it was really “his partner’s listing”. No answer there either. When I finally did get a call back, I was told that the lockbox was on the porch and I wasn’t looking hard enough…
I feel like this is highly unprofessional behavior, and yet, it is becoming more common. What can I do?
Sincerely,
Perpetually Locked Out
Dear Locked Out,
It is easy to tell how passionate you are! I can understand your concern about your client – she may trust you but the experience will cast doubt in her mind about the competence and professionalism of REALTORS®.
This is a tough situation that requires a delicate approach. You have several options, some of which include: 1) Follow up with the listing agent (when you are not in front of the house) and explain the situation the inaccuracies caused. Politely and tactfully remind him of his obligation to keep listing information current and the obligation to make the property available to other brokers for showing when it is in the best interests of the seller, as explained in the MLS rules and the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. 2) Contact the agent’s broker and apprise him of the situation. Politely and tactfully request that the agent be reminded of professional courtesies towards other colleagues.
The behavior of all REALTORS® contributes to the public perception of our abilities and professionalism. It is important to educate our colleagues regarding what constitutes professionalism, and gently remind them if they have forgotten.
Simply by voicing your troubles here, we have started the conversation that can lead to higher standards.
Sincerely,
Emmy
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