I try to keep an open mind. You see, my best clients are real estate agents but the majority of the agents out there don’t deserve to be in business. I am going to get pitch forks thrown at me but don’t hate me for bringing the truth. Who else is going to do it? The NAR..please!
So I want to set the stage for this one. Imagine walking into a department store and selecting a few items that you’d like to buy and taking them to the checkout area to complete your purchase. You place the items on the counter and the salesperson simply ignores you. More than ignore you, she hands you a note and says…”I may or may not respond to you. Don’t expect me to respond. If I choose to you’ll know, otherwise just wait and see what happens”. Sound far fetched?
So now you’re thinking that’s absurd. No one would treat a prospective customer in that manner. No one expecting to actually conduct business would ever act in that manner. Well chalk up another stellar accomplishment for Realtors. They have found a way to get paid without even having to EVER respond to a prospective customer.
Here’s a copy of an actual email that was forwarded to me today that even I couldn’t believe!
So there you have it. Don’t bother me, don’t call me. We’ll get back to you if we feel like it! So you’re telling me that you have as many as 20 offers submitted and you don’t speak to any of these prospective buyers. I mean even if only one gets accepted that means you have 19 other prospects to put in your database and work with.
Yet you call yourself the “Negotiating Department”? Wow…wonder what it’s like when you’re NOT negotiating.
I know REO departments and asset managers are up to their eyeballs in foreclosures but is this what they want? Is this the level of experience they expect and are paying for?
Most of these agents don’t put pictures on the MLS, many don’t secure the properties and there’s no way to contact them as they don’t even want to answer the phone.
It’s amazing. But sadly, it’s true!
Amen!
Hey Noel…I guess you’ve been running into the same thing. Yet what are we supposed to do?
I couldn’t agree more. I get almost the same exact messages here. They must all go to the same no customer service training school. Seriously, these REO agents have far to many properties, they can’t possibly keep up with them all. They can’t address all the offers and many just take the first offer they get. Having multiple offers is a good thing for banks and the market place. Banks moan about their losses yet still continue to work with only a hand full of agents, don’t negotiate and drive prices further and further down. Yet we keep throwing government money at them. Where is their incentive to get as much money for these properties as possible?
Ryan it’s becoming an epidemic. It’s too easy for these slacker agents just to ignore their duties. And you’re riht…they’re doing it with OUR money!!
I am agree with the post, Such a nice Post and informative aw well.Can you please provide me some more links for similar articles on my mail id.
We deal with several banks at our office completing short sales. I have never even had a responce that bad from a bank! Luckily in my area, our main REO agent has employeed a Licensed Staff to assist him wiht processing all of these foreclosure properties. After hearing these horror stories I am very thankful for our seemingly frustrating process, as it is nothing compared to dealing with what is discribed here. What a disaster!
Actually that letter/email is more informative than the norm in the Miami REO market. Most REO listing agents ignore you and are unresponsive. Whenever it is convenient they might follow up on full price cash offers-thats if your lucky! Otherwise you will stay in the “ignore” mode. I actively pursue luxury REO’s, $400k+ in the most desirable areas of Miami and even in this market you can expect the same level of customer service
and pictures? LOL maybe 10% of REO listings have a picture, heaven forbid you might see a listing with 4 pictures-you hit the lottery!
If only I could get some of these listings directly from the banks…I’m sure everyone in the industry would appreciate hungry, hardworking, customer service related, and proactive agents…and geez maybe you would actually see a listing with 16 pictures LOL…oh and wouldn’t it be nice to get a call answered or returned within an hour or 2?
Hi Robert, Thanks for the comment and for stopping by!
Brother..I feel your pain..truly I do. I keep telling people that Realtors could do 25-30% more business if they just answered the friggin telephone! More pictures..now you’re begging..that would mean they would actually have to go out and see the property!
It’s absolutely amazing that people have money in hand and can’t spend it because agents don’t conduct “business”.
Maybe we can talk some business…tell me what you’re looking for. We get leads in your neck of the woods from time to time and maybe we can do some work together. Email me at info@realestateradiousa.com and we’ll talk.