It's a myth that all Crofton area real estate agents and companies are alike...
Real estate agents and companies may all look and sound alike, but they don't all get results for their clients. That's because some agents and companies provide super service and marketing, while others just put listings in MLS and wait for co-op agents to find and sell them. The listing agents and companies who get better results do more to get their listings sold, much more - it's not just luck! Which begs these questions:
If your home doesn't sell, is it due to market conditions or the agent and company? How is a home seller in Crofton (or anywhere in the world) to know if the services provided by their agent are sub-standard, average, or top-o'- the line?
Perhaps this will help:
YOUR AGENT MAY BE A LAZY BUM IF HE/SHE...
- Doesn't take or return your calls.
- Doesn't respond promptly to inquiries from prospective buyers and co-op agents.
- Doesn't notify you when your property is shown.
- Doesn't provide you with feedback from all showings.
Doesn't install a key lockbox.- Doesn't install a "for sale" sign.
- Doesn't provide an attractive information brochure for prospective buyers to pick up at your home.
- Doesn't promote your property on traditional AND non-traditional Internet real estate sites.
- Doesn't make recommendations regarding property condition and staging.
- Doesn't provide a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA).
- Doesn't provide a Market Trends Analysis.
- Doesn't put photos of your home in the MLS.
- Doesn't include details about your home (such as room dimensions) in the MLS.
- Doesn't explain all the paperwork you sign.
- Doesn't provide copies of all the paperwork you sign.
- Doesn't touch base weekly to update you on his/her marketing activities.
- Doesn't provide monthly updates to the CMA and Market Trends Analysis.
- Doesn't keep you informed about interest rates and other economic conditions which could impact the sale of your home.
- Doesn't assist you with finding your next home.
- Doesn't take or return your calls (That's worth repeating, don't you agree?)
This list was inspired by Crofton area home sellers who recently fired their agent. "Lazy Bum" is the term they used.
That myth - "all real estate agents and companies are alike" - is simply not true. (And most agents in this area cannot be described as a "Lazy Bum".) But now you know how to recognize any that are... just in case you happen to come across one.
An experienced agent who works hard for you is your best weapon when it comes to selling your Crofton home in this crazy real estate market. Some homes are selling! (Just ask Cindy Quinn, whose home sold the same day I listed it - at full price!)
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
__________________________________
Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500
Margaret, that is a great lazy bum REALTOR list for any place in America.
I don't do #5, that because anytime my listing is shown, I'm there to show it. Don't believe in lock boxes. Every house on Staten Island is within 30 minutes of my office.
Kenneth - I showed five homes today, and two of them did not have lockboxes. One was supposed to be under the mat (it wasn't) and one was under a paving stone near the basement door. In a market where an electronic lockbox is the norm, providing a lot of security for property owners because it tracks everyone who accesses the key, it just seems irresponsible.
Marchal - As Kenneth pointed out, the list may need tweaking in different areas, but my conversation with a local seller this morning turned into a blog post that will resonate with many home sellers, regardless of where they are.
Margaret,
This is great!! It is also so, so trune. I have friends who have hired a lazy bum agent because they were friends or relatives. It's a business relationship, and we need to do everything we can to be sure the deal closes.
I agree about keyboxes. Security and tracking help keep everyone honest.
Margaret - Wealth of information in this post (as usual). The lazy bum Realtors are out there in droves in my area. It is very evident based on the number of expired listings in the counties I service. The sad part is that they bring down the profession as a whole. Heavy sigh.
Great post Margaret. I am so glad I avoid most of your Lazy Bum list
Marcy -Thank you for your comment. It's always sad to see this happen because it certainly impacts our reputation as an industry.
Judy - Fortunately, we don't have too many of them around here.
Kim - I think all of us slip, from time to time, but Activerainers impress me as the cream of the crop in real estate.
Margaret: OMG... I just so know who you're talking about... (ha!)
And that goes for all of our related businesses! It's not over when you get the deal, that's the beginning! Thanks...
Who wants a lazy bum when they can have a pro! I have always wondered why consumers don't make a point to do a much better job interviewing agents. There would be a lot less disappointment.
Mararet..What a terriffic blog..Very well put..! thank you
HELPFULHANNAH your friend in Philadelphia
Rene - I think we all know someone who might fit this description. Fortunately, they're in the minority.
Bill - I think some people have no idea what to expect from a listing agent and they really do believe we're all alike.
Hannah - You're such a great cheerleader!
Hi Margaret, This list sure does bear repeating. I did a listing this evening having interviewed yesterday and you know, I was actually surprised how little these people knew of the process. So it just goes to show you that we must repeat these great writings and the great tips and keep they in the forefront of the consciousness of would be Sellers and Buyers. Because we are in the business we actually think that most know or understand all this and it is proven over and over, people only learn what they need to know and many times, long after they needed to know it. "If it's to be, it's up to me".
You're right, William... it's always surprising when seller prospects have already interviewed other agents and they still have no idea what to expect.
By the way, I think you'll appreciate that I just posted the photos on my RET blog, and then linked to this post at the bottom. I think the photos are worth thousands of words without any of this text.
Hi Margaret... I agree with Marchel. This list is definitely not geographically exclusive. Thanks for putting together and sharing it with us.
Nice Top 20 list, and I agree, #20 and #1 should be on the list just as they are -- LOL.
I'm left with the thought that real estate is really going to change in the next few years.....
Steve - LOL. Well, apparently Kenneth disagrees with us, but I think the list is pretty universal. When you talk to owners of expired listings, you usually find that many of these things were not done by the former listing agent.
Russell - #20 is the most-often-heard complaint from home sellers. Which reminds me, I need to contact my sellers in Millersville now.
Susie - You're right, a lot of things in this country are changing - but I kinda think customer service will be appreciated more than ever in a country where most businesses are run by government bureaucrats. (Nothing against government bureaucrats who surround me here in the D.C. area.) I just kinda picture everything from medical care to car dealerships operating with the efficiency and "warmth" of the Department of Motor Vehicles...
That list is pretty complete. Just what exactly does that agent DO? Luckily, we don't see this type of agent too often. Thanks for the post.
What a great post! I have worked with both agents, the lazy bum and the professional. What a difference. I feel so bad for the clients who choose poorly and end up frustrated and stressed trying to work with an agent who doesn't have their best interest as a priority.
I was tickled to receive a comment for this post today on Facebook - from Kim Mills, a L&F agent in Glen Burnie. 'Just goes to show that Facebook is another source of readers for our Activerain posts.
Tom - That agent may be doing 15 of those things, but not 5 of them - usually including #1 and #20. The result is "no sale" and a disgruntled seller.
Sharon - I never mind losing business to a real pro, but it's really frustrating when a consumer chooses one of these agents. We know what will happen, but some consumers truly do believe that all areal estate agents and companies are alike.
#1 is my biggest pet peeve.
Thats a funny list Margaret. Love the pics too. Cant get much done when you are sleeping at the computer.
Mark, I think that's the one that bothers consumers the most because they know that's just common courtesy.
John, I had a lot of fun with the photos... in fact, I just post them on my outside blog and linked to this post. Standing alone, they're enough to make a point.
This is a great list. I agree with them all - no lockbox is a pet peeve of mine.
It sounds like you just got a new seller client! I hope you can sell it soon.
Stacey-Ann - Glad you like my list!
Georgina - Yep... already done!