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Answers (17)
- droopyd
- Contributions:403
I had a poor agent when we sold our co-op in NYC. The first agent basically did nothing, didn't follow up with the few people who saw the place, didn't hold open houses.
I think she was used to dealing in "boom" times when all she had to do was sit by the phone and wait for the offer sheets to come in. In a tougher market, she had no clue as to what she needed to do. We fired her 4 months into a 6-month "exclusive" contract.
Our second agent got us into contract within 60 days of our hiring him, and then helped us work through the whole co-op selling process (with board approvals, etc.) -- and also kept the deal from falling through because the buyers wanted out at the last minute.
I think she was used to dealing in "boom" times when all she had to do was sit by the phone and wait for the offer sheets to come in. In a tougher market, she had no clue as to what she needed to do. We fired her 4 months into a 6-month "exclusive" contract.
Our second agent got us into contract within 60 days of our hiring him, and then helped us work through the whole co-op selling process (with board approvals, etc.) -- and also kept the deal from falling through because the buyers wanted out at the last minute.
- Jeff Rainwater, "jrainwater"
- Contributions:189
Glad you got it taken care of. Honestly, in my opinion, anyone who has to ask if their agent is doing their job should get a resounding NO as the answer. A good agent will communicate with the client on a regular basis. The fact that you have no idea what your agent was doing doesn't mean she wasnt doing anything but part of her job should be to communicate to you and clearly she failed at that. I hope your new agent takes care of you better. Best of luck to you.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25115
Please do not wait for 8 months to relist with someone else. If this agent is not working her promised marketing plan tell both her and her broker that you want to terminate immediately. Listing or not, she is required to perform her professional services as promised. If she does not, she has breached the listing agreement and you would only be responsible for her hard costs under most contracts. Read your contract and do not take no answer for an answer. She is not the only fish in the sea. Get an agent that that will work for you. If she or her broker remain unresponsive, send another email documenting the fact that she did not reply and her broker did not reply. Deal with her only in writing if you feel you will have to terminate. If you go to arbitration or cancel the contract due to her breach, you will need proof and your recollection of a phone call or her supposed statements on the phone will not suffice. Be honest, be forthright and do not accept any excuses. Time is of the essence.
- Tranzow Claudia, "Ctrannie"
- Contributions:1
Pricing is the key and of course staging. If you had zero showings it's priced to high for the market, buyers will not take a look if it is priced to high, everyone is looking for a deal! If you can afford not to sell hold off until the market turns...
Realtor AZ
Realtor AZ
- edsconstruction
- Contributions:20
Lisa,
I sent an email to my agent asking all of the questions you have suggested. She sent a read reciept 24 hrs ago. I have yet to hear from her. I honestly think she is just plain lazy. I have also left a message with her broker 24 hrs ago with no response from her either. I have spoken with several other realtors and read all of the comments here. I have done everything that everyone has suggested with no results. I am really frustrated with the entire process.
On the bright side - 8 more months of no showings and I can relist with an agent that has a real marketing plan not just the MLS.
I sent an email to my agent asking all of the questions you have suggested. She sent a read reciept 24 hrs ago. I have yet to hear from her. I honestly think she is just plain lazy. I have also left a message with her broker 24 hrs ago with no response from her either. I have spoken with several other realtors and read all of the comments here. I have done everything that everyone has suggested with no results. I am really frustrated with the entire process.
On the bright side - 8 more months of no showings and I can relist with an agent that has a real marketing plan not just the MLS.
- Lisa Johnson Sevajian, "NorthofBostonLiving"
- Contributions:1576
This is the question of the day. Many home owners struggle with the same question.
The only person that can answer it is your agent.
Find out what exactly is being done on a weekly if not daily basis to market your home.
Ask for a specific list of ads,postings,emails,phone calls and mailings that are being done.
In 104 days if you haven't had one showing there is something clearly off.
Is it the price? A higher than average price will prevent the best house in the state from selling.
Is it the agent? If they are selling other properties than the answer is probably no but it's worth looking into. Find out what has sold since you listed and do a serious comparison on paper and in person if necessary.
What has your agent sold since you listed? Are those homes comparable?
Your agent may be doing everything that a rock star agent does and having less than overwhelming results.
You won't know until you ask.
My personal disclaimer...I do not know your agent or anything about your home.
- CubsfaninWA
- Contributions:567
GREAT HOUSE! Virtual Tour is spot on. The Price seems to well with the range that it should be in
http://www.realestate.com/homepricecheck/Default.aspx
The only thing I could see a negative is that your house is without a doubt high-end and I don't know about Florida, but here in Washington State. High-end house don't seem to moving as fast as they use too, but what is around here.
Also as stated before, it looks like you have the biggest and nicest home in the area thats for sale. I hope that doesn't hurt your value.
Good Luck too you
http://www.realestate.com/homepricecheck/Default.aspx
The only thing I could see a negative is that your house is without a doubt high-end and I don't know about Florida, but here in Washington State. High-end house don't seem to moving as fast as they use too, but what is around here.
Also as stated before, it looks like you have the biggest and nicest home in the area thats for sale. I hope that doesn't hurt your value.
Good Luck too you
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25115
Very nice virtual tour! Your home definitely looks ready to sell. I think that the key to selling in your area will be marketing and really pricing at the cutting edge of the market. Your house is beautiful and the virtual tour makes it look great. Make sure you are pricing at or slightly under any comps that are selling in your area so you keep your listing right under buyer's noses. Good luck and I love it when posters come back to say that their house is going into escrow!
- edsconstruction
- Contributions:20
We have pulled and relisted. The house is decorated nicely and ready to go. I might be partial since it's my house but when the realtor caravan came they all said it was perfect. I know the market is tough but houses are still selling. I believe my agent is a "listing agent" not a "selling agent". She listed the house and is waiting for the phone to ring as opposed to listing, marketing, email flyers, fax blasts and anything else an aggressive sales agent would do. Here is our virtual tour any imput would be appreciated.
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=484941
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=484941
- NTETS, "Mr Caveat"
- Contributions:6436
after 104 days there is more issue than the realtor's attitude, yes she should have come to you with a plan before now, but honestly if its been on the MLS that long without even a phone call, i would re-assess the property with a focus on price and decorating. make your house desirable and make your house a bargain... you may want to consider refreshing the listing by pulling and re-listing it.
- girouard property RE
- Contributions:981
yikes, I can't comment on your person doing thier job, please contact your realtor ASAP
- Nancy Lee, "An OrderLee Home"
- Contributions:1195
Following up on Mike's suggestion...if you can find information and pics on the internet, is the information accurate and easy to understand? Are the pics clear? Are multiple rooms/views shown? If the pics are clear, was your house clean and very, very neat when the pics were taken?
Some of the best advice I ever got was from an agent years ago who told me he would not list my house until I painted and staged it because....it looked like the inside of a giant marshmallow and potential buyers would be turned off.
If you cannot easily find your listing on the internet, neither can your potential buyers. If they can find it, but the listing (the first impression) is not great marketing, many potential buyers are going to pass you by.
Some of the best advice I ever got was from an agent years ago who told me he would not list my house until I painted and staged it because....it looked like the inside of a giant marshmallow and potential buyers would be turned off.
If you cannot easily find your listing on the internet, neither can your potential buyers. If they can find it, but the listing (the first impression) is not great marketing, many potential buyers are going to pass you by.
- real estate mike
- Contributions:2001
Also look into your house as a potential buyer would. Is there a sign up? flyers? pics on several websites? In other words can you even find it? As Kevin said if the price is way out of line most agents won't waste their time. Sad is what this is.
- Kevin Lisota
- Contributions:479
Is your agent providing you with weekly updates and statistics? If so, you would be able to take action sooner than 104 days into the process. In addition to updates, she should be giving you advice on next steps, whether it is staging, pricing, etc.
In a down market, getting showings can be tough. Unfortunately, real estate agents cannot magically create buyers if they are not already out in the market. I don't know what city you are in, but we like to see a minimum of 1 showing per week for our listings here in Seattle. If less than that, something is wrong. A much better number is 3-6 showings per week. That ensures enough traffic to get yourself an offer in a reasonable timeframe.
Your biggest potential problems are price, photos/description and market conditions. If you are overpriced, you won't get showings and you'll need an agressive price drop. If the photos/description are not great, you'll never get people to make the jump from websites to seeing it in person. (People don't buy a house from a website.) Market conditions are the toughest to overcome. Have your agent evaluate your competition. How long have they been on the market? Are they getting showings? What are their prices?
If your agent hasn't been discussing issues and solutions like this with you, I might choose another one.
In a down market, getting showings can be tough. Unfortunately, real estate agents cannot magically create buyers if they are not already out in the market. I don't know what city you are in, but we like to see a minimum of 1 showing per week for our listings here in Seattle. If less than that, something is wrong. A much better number is 3-6 showings per week. That ensures enough traffic to get yourself an offer in a reasonable timeframe.
Your biggest potential problems are price, photos/description and market conditions. If you are overpriced, you won't get showings and you'll need an agressive price drop. If the photos/description are not great, you'll never get people to make the jump from websites to seeing it in person. (People don't buy a house from a website.) Market conditions are the toughest to overcome. Have your agent evaluate your competition. How long have they been on the market? Are they getting showings? What are their prices?
If your agent hasn't been discussing issues and solutions like this with you, I might choose another one.
- Spencer Rascoff, "spencer"
- Contributions:2093
Yikes,
I'm no real estate agent, but it does seem to me that no showings after 3 months is a pretty bad situation. I'm not recommending FSBOing, and I agree with Deborah that agents do a lot of things that sellers don't see, but still.... Sounds like you need to kick your agent in the head.
I'm no real estate agent, but it does seem to me that no showings after 3 months is a pretty bad situation. I'm not recommending FSBOing, and I agree with Deborah that agents do a lot of things that sellers don't see, but still.... Sounds like you need to kick your agent in the head.
- Michael Emery, "MikeEmery"
- Contributions:7283
With zero showings it sounds like either the price is too high for the market, the photos and copy on MLS is not attracting attention or the overall marketing effort has fallen flat.
Approximately 80 plus percent of homebuyers today start their search on the internet. If you are not presented well on MLS (and the sites that draw their feed from MLS) you are losing out on a big chunk of todays homebuying market.
Approximately 80 plus percent of homebuyers today start their search on the internet. If you are not presented well on MLS (and the sites that draw their feed from MLS) you are losing out on a big chunk of todays homebuying market.
- Deborah Engel, "Deborah Engel"
- Contributions:39
I suggest that you talk with your Realtor to find out what she is doing. Oftentimes, Realtors are doing a lot more than you think but haven't communicated it. I also suggest that you discuss pricing, condition, or access to showings. If you haven't had showings it's possible that one of these things is the issue. But your Realtor is in the best position to let you know.
Deb
Deb
Is my realtor doing her job?
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- 0.0/5.0
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