I picked a realtor to sell my house based on how great of a job she did on my last sale. Sure, she was on maternity leave for six weeks of the time my last place was on the market, and switched real estate agencies, but she sold it. And if I needed anything (info sheets, for example), she was on it.
That was then. This is now. It's almost two months since I listed and she still hasn't delivered her own info box to put out a few of the 10 info sheets she gave me originally. Instead, I went out and bought one on my own. Now all of those 10 info sheets are gone and I've requested more. And I still haven't gotten them.
She has told me on numerous occasions that she would be dropping off the box and info sheets, but then she doesn't follow through, or even let me know why she hasn't until days later, and after I ask her about it.
Yesterday I emailed her, yet again, to find out the answers to my questions and she has yet to reply back to me. This is getting old.
If I ever sell this house, she stands to make a nice commission, plus she'll get money on the home I subsequently purchase. I think I should bet a little better service than this. I've been too nice. I don't think it's fair to have to be held to a contract for an agent who clearly doesn't find my business important. What's more unfortunate is that this contract is for one year.
I'm so frustrated that I want to de-list. However, I also toured the house I want to buy yesterday, so I want that even more than my desire to de-list. So I'm stuck dreaming for my realtor to suddenly and magically become interested in selling my home.
*And before anybody tells me to just tell her what I think, I should inform/remind you that I'm not someone who does confrontation well, and to me, that is confrontation.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Realtor Woes
I clicked Publish at
11:56 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I know you don't do confrontation well, so do it in an email. Seriously... you are PAYING HER MONEY to do this. Tell her what your gripes are.
Oh, and I didn't know you had to sign a contract with realtors... I never remember doing that...
At this rate I won't be paying her anything because it feels like it's not going to sell!
The last contract I signed was for 6 months. This time it was a year. Might be an agency difference tho.
I agree an email is in order. Something with the subject line: "If I don't hear from you, are you in breach of contract?" to get her attention.
Then I would say "just kidding" in the body of the email but make certain she knows you really need her to help you out here.
Ha! That'd be funny to email her. I might do that, as I still haven't heard from her. I'm starting to wonder if she's even checking her email...
We've gone about the house thing a bit backwards, because we don't have one to sell. Right now, if we buy the house we are looking at, we owe no one, which is nice.
But you need to know, even if you signed a contract, she has responsibilities and she must meet them or she is in breech. I would read up on the agreement you signed.
Annette's veiled threat is a nice start. If she is not responsive and active in dealing with your house immediately though, it's time for the next step.
Even though she is an independent contractor with some real estate firm, she is putting their name out with hers. If she is making them look bad, telling them could fix the problem. Calling her branch and asking to talk to a sales manager will go a long way toward making your point without being confrontational.
Good luck!
Well, I ended up sending an email that let her know that I felt like she was "forgetting me". She has since responded about an open house date and some info from the last showing that people thought my price was too high. So she suggested we lower the price and remove the offer of paying closing costs. I agreed to this move as I know a place in my neighborhood is priced lower than me (though has less appeal than mine).
Luckily I'm also having a showing this afternoon (something my realtor emailed me about this morning). I hope this one wants to make an offer!
Good referrals are considered the key marketing tool for real estate agents - and you had the best referrals, your own! :) Unfortunately, we are not robots, as a West Toronto realtor I know I am pretty fed up sometimes, on the other hand, if a realtor wants to survive, he must be a professional in any occasion. So don't be afraid to be a bit hard - polite, but strict. It's not your problem she has a family now - that's business and we know it.
Best wishes
Jill
Post a Comment