Realtor QUIT!

[CGA]

What is the name of your state? NY

We've been working with a realtor for a few months getting our house ready to be sold. The house was supposed to be listed yesterday, but then yesterday morning the realtor called and said she didn't want to sell the house anymore because she was having "personal issues", whatever that means. Needless to say we were very upset because we've wasted a lot of time with her since we felt the house should've been on the market at least a few weeks ago but she kept telling us to make further improvements, and then she just walks away!! Is this legal?? So we had to scramble around yesterday to find a new realtor. We were able to find one, but she wants to list the house at $5,000 less than the original realtor did because she said the first realtor didn't know what she was doing. Is this situation normal?? We're getting ready to move to another state in a few weeks and don't have time to keep switching realtors! Are they all this incompetent? Any advice appreciated.

 

[FarmerJ]

Make sure you get the original realtor to sign a cancelation agreement that she /he no longer represents you . Not all realtors are Incompetent , but look at it this way You found out now before you actually had offers on the table . And It sure could have been worse .

 

[CGA]

Thanks FarmerJ. I actually was able to get her to sign a cancellation agreement that I wrote up myself. I only had a few minutes to write it so hopefully what I wrote is legally binding. I was really concerned because we had already signed the listing agreement with her and I didn't know if we were somehow obigated to pay her a commission, even though she screwed us. At first she wouldn't sign it, but I told her if she didn't I'd complain to her broker and the local board of realtors because her behavior was bizarre and extremely unprofessional. I really don't feel this person should even be dealing with the public, but you're right, at least we found out before this went any further. Whew!

 

[CGA]

update

Just wanted to post an update to this and ask for some advice.

Now we're working with the new realtor, but she's not exactly all that helpful. The house has been on the market 2 weeks and all she's done is put a sign out front. There's a listing on the internet but no picture and she was supposed to have a handyman come and make some minor repairs but that hasn't happened. When we call her to ask what's going on she just says that she's handling things and we shouldn't worry. She also said we shoudn't call her, she'll call us only if someone makes a bid. We feel like she's avoiding us. We think we have every right to call and ask questions about things she said she was going to do, but hasn't done. At this rate, the house will never sell. There's not even a lock box on the door so how can other realtors even show it?? She has a good reputation and is one of the top producers in this part of the country. Should we do what she says and not contact her or ask questions? It's a bit frustrating, but we don't want to be too pushy either. Please advise. Thanks!

 

[FarmerJ]

Those so called minor repairs . Do you know what they are ? are you able to do them your self ? Have you called some handyman services to find out what it would cost to have them done reason I ask Is because if it will not be that much perhaps you can get them done and the house will be more showable . See first impression a buyer sees is the one thats going to last in there memory . So If you have those things done there is no proving to a buyer that they were done and the home will look its best then .

 

[HomeGuru]

Re: update

Just wanted to post an update to this and ask for some advice.

Now we're working with the new realtor, but she's not exactly all that helpful. The house has been on the market 2 weeks and all she's done is put a sign out front.

**A: what? That does not show proper methods of a top producer. Where is your MLS listing, scheduled open houses and broker's open houses, fact sheets, postcards, mailers to other brokers and owners in the neighborhood, print and electronic media advertising.......

***********


There's a listing on the internet but no picture

**A: you know what they say.....a picture is worth a thousand words.......there should be photos of the home from the street, exterior and interior photos, neighborhood, listing of schools and neighborhod shopping centers........

********

and she was supposed to have a handyman come and make some minor repairs but that hasn't happened.

**A: Hmmm, does she want to help you or is she too busy?
Maybe she has too many listings to properly and effectively market them all?
Did she even call a handyman and schedule the work? If the handyman is to busy, hire another one.
********

When we call her to ask what's going on she just says that she's handling things and we shouldn't worry. She also said we shoudn't call her, she'll call us only if someone makes a bid.

**A: this is the biggest load of crap. You have a every right as the client
(did I mention that YOU are the client) to demand a list of things that the Realtor will do before signing the listing. You could have even attached the "to do" list to the listing agreement. The list should have listed items in numerical order and dates by which each task is accomplished. And you should have every right to receive continous and open communication during the entire time and term of the listing. Even if there are no offers you have a right to inquire how many Realtors, prospective Buyers etc. attended the open house, what their comments were etc.

******


We feel like she's avoiding us.

**A: ask why.
*********


We think we have every right to call and ask questions about things she said she was going to do, but hasn't done. At this rate, the house will never sell. There's not even a lock box on the door so how can other realtors even show it??

**A: this is plain and simple incompetence.
I can name 10 more words but you get the picture.
********

She has a good reputation and is one of the top producers in this part of the country.

**A: so what, how does this great track record help you and help sell your property?
Thus far she has a crappy reputation with me and I am wondering how she got to be a top producer.
DO NOT be mislead by certifications, awards, honors, referrals, reputation, testimonials etc. They are meaningless if the job you want done is not being done. The Realtor works for YOU.
********

Should we do what she says and not contact her or ask questions? It's a bit frustrating, but we don't want to be too pushy either. Please advise. Thanks!

**A: I don't think you are pushy at all. The things that you are asking are all elementary and part of Realtor Listing 101. Demand your professional service or find another broker.
You deserve better.
Check out the Realtor Code of Ethics www.nar.realtor.com

Good luck to you.

 

[CGA]

HomeGuru--thanks so much for your response. I'm glad you wrote what you did because now at least we know it's not just us that thinks we're getting poor service.

Another thing that happened is there have been other realtors who called and left messages on our answering machine asking if the house was still on the market because our realtor has not returned their calls when they wanted to show the house! I'm wondering how many potential buyers we've lost already.

One more question--if a potential buyer happens to come by when we're home and wants to go through the house, can we show it to them? Our realtor said no, only she can show them the house. Is that true? I don't believe anything she says anymore and am leaning towards firing her. We've already signed the listing agreement with her though. Can we still get out of it??? This will be the 2nd realtor we've gone through in a month's time. Are any of them competent??

 

[Homoguru]

You're welcome - I'm glad to be of service.

Good Luck

 

[niki8]

do you need a re broker to sell your house?

 

[HomeGuru]

HomeGuru--thanks so much for your response. I'm glad you wrote what you did because now at least we know it's not just us that thinks we're getting poor service.

Another thing that happened is there have been other realtors who called and left messages on our answering machine asking if the house was still on the market because our realtor has not returned their calls when they wanted to show the house! I'm wondering how many potential buyers we've lost already.

One more question--if a potential buyer happens to come by when we're home and wants to go through the house, can we show it to them?

**A: of course you can, it's your house right?
*********

Our realtor said no, only she can show them the house. Is that true?

**A: tell her to show you the section of the State real estate law supporting her statement.
*********

I don't believe anything she says anymore and am leaning towards firing her. We've already signed the listing agreement with her though. Can we still get out of it??? This will be the 2nd realtor we've gone through in a month's time.

**A: fire her butt. She is no top producer for you.
*********

Are any of them competent??

**A: there are many competent Realtors in your area. Before you select another one, have them each present a listing package for you and YOU interview each of them.