Odd Encounter with RE Agent

I happened to bump into my real estate agent last night. I've had my listing with him for awhile, with absolutely no calls/showings, etc.

So anyways, he makes some comment about coming by to take off my lock box. That it must be in my way.

Um. A....it's not in my way. B....we still have a contract. C...why would you assume?

Is this odd? Shouldn't he discuss it with me before moving it?

I can't wait for my listing to expire. I really thought that he would be good, but I was wrong. That's two strikes now for me listing our home.

Just annoyed. I know the housing market stinks at the moment but this agent has done nothing for me. At all.

Thanks for listening. Just had to vent.

Re: Odd Encounter with RE Agent

He may think the listing has expired. It may seem odd to you (it does to me!), but a lot of agents seem to be unaware of when their listings are expiring! That's the only reason I can think of that he would be removing the lockbox off the house if it's still on the market.

If I were you, I'd call him and

(i) ask him about his lockbox comment and find out what he meant;

(ii) tell him that you are not happy with the way he's handled your listing and the fact that there have been no showings... you can ask him why he thinks it is, and what he can do about it. It sounds like the agent has dropped the ball, but if it were me, I'd rather know that my seller is unhappy with my service while I have a chance to correct it. You shouldn't have to address the obvious, but unfortunately with some people you need to. You should ask him to communicate with you more frequently (weekly, every other week, whatever you want) about your listing, so you know what he's doing and what's going on.

Also, I know this is a vent and you weren't seeking advice, but if you haven't had any showings or offers, it's always one of 3 things:

1. Lack of access to the house, which is not your situation given you have a lockbox;

2. Lack of marketing -- Is it on all of the real estate websites (we put our listings on 300+ websites and give the property it's own website with a virtual tour)? Do the photos look attractive? Is the description enticing? Have their been open houses? Broker's open houses?

3. Price -- 9 times out of 10, price is the issue. If the house has been marketed online and is available for showings but there's no interest, then it's probably priced too high for the area or for it's condition. Has your agent ever mentioned adjusting the price at all?

Just my unsolicited 2 cents, for what it's worth!

Re: Odd Encounter with RE Agent

Sorry but if this is my agent he would be fired pronto!

How unprofessional of him not to know when your contract with him expires and to not do his job! His lost!

Get yourself another referred agent, and don't sign more than 3 months with him/her. I would recommend mine, she's kickass good!, but I'm in Jersey.

Basically, a good agent will:

- come with multiple recommendations
- help you stage your home
- take you to see comps so you can decide on the right listing price
- take professional photos
- post your listing on as many sites as possible (trulia, zillow, etc.)
- give you weekly reports of who came by to see your home and their comments
- give you at least 24 hr. notice of showings

Re: Odd Encounter with RE Agent

Thats crazy!!! Where are you selling. We really liked the REA that sold our house and helped negotiate our new house. Let me know if you want her #

Re: Odd Encounter with RE Agent

Thanks everyone!

I found out after I signed that he doesn't "believe" in open houses. Which I was a little perturbed about.

Not only that, I think he could have/should have taken better photos. Once the holiday decorations come down, I am going to take different photos and ask him to replace them.

I have a few months left on the contract. I don't know what would happen if I cancelled it. I think I'd have to wait until the original expiration date to re-list.

I'm out in Suffolk.