How do I fire my Realtor? Desperate for help/suggestions (sry long)

[Panthra529]

As an agent in Illinois, I simply want to second a lot of what others have said. I know it is frustrating to have your have your home sit on the market. Now is a terrible time to try to sell, and it is difficult to tell if this is just the normal seaonal fluctuation in the market, in which case it should improve dramatically in a month or so, or if it is a softening in the market changing things from a seller's market to a buyer's market. Whie I agree there are some variation in what agents will do to maket your home, it sounds like your current agent is doing most of those (advertising, holding open houses, etc.). If he hasn't had a broker's open recently, with a drawing or food, that may be an option. Unfortunately it may be that the location, and the changes that are coming to the area, and the things that are keeping the property from selling, and no agent can change those. As a very experienced agent once told me, anything will sell if it is priced right, but what is "right" may be less than you hoped for. If you want to look at other agents, it sounds like you have no contractual obligation to your current agent, but make sure that you really will get more than you are getting from you friend before switching. I can tell you that I do my best work when working with friends. I have a personal investment in their having a happy and successful outcome, and I can only imagine your friend is trying his best! Good luck, and if I can be of any further assistance, feel free to PM me!


As for commission, the agent gets only a small percentage of the commision, as it is split between the buyers broker (who splits it with the buyers agent) and the sellers broker (who the splits that with the sellers agent).

May I ask what company you work for, and what are your feelings as to one real estate company having a leg up on another? ie: prudential vs remax

 

[Panthra529]

Wow!! I never expected to generate such a response...! Both favorable and brutal! LOL Thats okay, I would rather people be honest. I have tough skin, I can take it. Let's see....

First off, commission is not an issue with my realtor. He made a good commission on the house we bought, and since he is a good friend, he really is giving us a great deal. So why fire him right? I guess it is mainly because I am impatient...for example, we were supposed to have a showing today, a gentleman who sounded like he was relocating and only in town for the day. I got a phone call this morning from the office (not my realtor) telling me the showing was cancelled. I asked her why and she said she didn't know. When I was finally able to get a hold of my realtor this evening, he didn't know why either. To me this is important information...I would like to know did the guy not make it into town? Did he cancel because he had second thoughts about the house? I just think this is something a realtor should be on top of at all times. I am sure he will get me an answer tomorrow, and I just need to learn to be patient. But on the other hand it isn't like he has 10-15 listings. I believe he only has 3 or 4 listings at the moment. This is my frustration with him. He is poor at following up. I have talked with him about this, but I guess it doesn't sink in.

Thank you for the feedback on the home, both good and bad. Our home is a one of a kind spec home in our neighborhood. Other homes in the neighborhood are going for about 249,000. Ours is much larger, and on more land. Comp homes about 1/2 mile away are going for around 320,000. So, in asking 277,500, I don't think price is the issue. We did have 2 broker walk throughs, and the only negative opinions I received (a week after each walk through by the way) was about the road. Otherwise, everyone loved the house, said it was in great shape and a good show. We had a total of 16 realtors walk through. I never expected for the house to sell in a week or even a month. I knew it would be tough, I guess I am just looking for some encouragement!

As for the pictures, the kitchen cabinets yes are white, (which I hated, was going to have them refinished, but can't do for under $5000!) But they are in excellent condition. The color choices are warm, but not bold, yes not everyone can look past that. I understand there are those buyers who won't buy a house because of wallpaper, or paint, but I feel they miss out on some great buys. So now we have narrowed the field even more...The "garage" picture everyone is talking about isn't a garage at all. LOL! It actually is a workshop, and I hate that picture too. I think the realtor put it in there thinking having a workshop in the basement is a draw. Which it is, but the picture doesn't do it justice. (the workroom now has nothing in it but pegboard!) Now that I have some honest feedback, I am going to ask him to remove the picture! The angled arial pictures were taken from the upstairs to show off the cathedral ceilings. As a matter of fact, while I am sitting here typing, it reminds me he was supposed to do the 360 degree type pictures of the home way back when. I guess in all the stress, I let it slide too....I am all over that tonight!

The house is currently mostly vacant. I do have a renter in there that keeps the house as clean as I left it. And when I say clean, I mean clean. I am the type that gets down on my hands and knees and scrubs the floor. The last time we moved, I was 7 months pregnant with my head in the oven scrubbing it spotless.....LOL! The renter only has a bed and a couple of other small things so the house isn't cluttered. Now, I have heard both sides that this is good and bad. Some say good because people can see how big and spacious the home is, and some say bad because people can't visualize the home well without furniture. Just like the painting....6 of one half a dozen of another!


Again I really appreciate the input, and I will be talking to my realtor first thing tomorrow since it is so late now! Just keep the good vibes and well wishes coming along with the suggestions!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

While you are having him take out the basement picture, (sorry about that), you need to change the aerial pic & front house pic.

People want to see what the front of your house looks like. Not at an angle. I can't see your front door.

As far as the aerial pic to show off the cathedral ceilings, it doesn't do that. It accents your clutter, which is a no-no. You need POW!

The kitchen cabinets may be white and in good shape, but they look like cheap apt.-type cabinets in the picture. Dark wood & granite is "in" right now. The paint in the kitchen looks purple, what color is it???
I might repaint the kitchen so it doesn't scream "needs new cabinets". I like the island to the side. Find a way to spruce that kitchen up. It is doable!!! Watch "Design To Sell", they give so many great tips.

The idea is to get people to the house, remember that. I know it is hard. Good Luck to you!!!!!

 

[orangemonster]

Hi Panthra529 -

I HEAR you on your frustration and upset. First I'd like to say I am going to be a transplant to Illinois from Boston and it has been a LONGGGGG road! My mother is in the process of selling her house (she's moving also) and it was not easy.

Her situation was that a relative was going to sell her house. After talking with him and getting 'I have no idea' answers we determined it would not be in my mother's best interests to sell the house through him. A lot of upset was involved but my mother finally told him she needed an experienced agent because she had to sell her house ASAP. There were hurt feelings but in the end you MUST do what is BEST FOR YOU. If your friend doesn't understand then it is his issue, NOT yours. Will he be the one paying your second mortgage? Probably not.

We originally hired an agent because we 'liked' her... she seemed very laid back and polite... MISTAKE! She was too laid back... it was like pulling teeth! If you do hire an agent, don't contract them for more than 3 months (tip from my sis). This makes sense as you are not locked into a contract if you're not happy with the agent.

After this agent's three months were up, she tried to extend, we said NO. On my sister's advice we went with an agent who was AGGRESSIVE. The point here is, don't hire someone based on your personal feelings. Hire an agent who will get the job done.

The story has a happy ending... Mom sold her house (in the middle of the holiday season and in the middle of the Boston Real Estate Bubble Burst) and is now ready to trek out to IL. My point is, don't give up and don't be too bummed out about the market. Houses ARE still selling - you just need ONE buyer.

Some tips we learned:
1 - Don't have an open house every week - this can make people wonder why you are not selling. It also gives agents the opportunity to collect info on potential sellers for their OTHER properties... not necessarily yours.
2 - Do NOT be intimidated by your agent... they are working for YOU!
3 - DO call your agent constantly... the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
4 - PUSH for a lot of exposure online and in newspapers.
5 - DO make sure you view all ads online and published to ensure there are no glaring mistakes (we found MANY in some of ours).
6 - Interview a few agents from different Real Estate offices. Make sure you hire one who is AGGRESSIVE.
7 - Only sign a 3 month contract.
8 - Don't put a TON of money into remodeling your home... it may be your taste, but it might not be your buyer's. Concentrate on making it neat and clean...get rid of clutter.
9 - Watch the market and LOWER YOUR PRICE if need be. It is a broken record but true.
10 - Above all GOOD LUCK and don't be discouraged. Your house will sell! Feb is a good month (I've heard) because many buyers want to get a jump on the Spring market.

One thing to consider, REMAX here in MA offers a guarantee - if they don't sell your house in 89 days, they will buy it from you. It will be less money than asking price but at least you'd not have to worry about two mortgages (ps: get it in writing).
Take care (and sorry for the LONG post!)

 

[Skywalker]

I got a phone call this morning from the office (not my realtor) telling me the showing was cancelled. I asked her why and she said she didn't know. When I was finally able to get a hold of my realtor this evening, he didn't know why either. To me this is important information...I would like to know did the guy not make it into town? Did he cancel because he had second thoughts about the house? I just think this is something a realtor should be on top of at all times. I am sure he will get me an answer tomorrow, and I just need to learn to be patient. But on the other hand it isn't like he has 10-15 listings. I believe he only has 3 or 4 listings at the moment. This is my frustration with him. He is poor at following up. I have talked with him about this, but I guess it doesn't sink in.

Well, but just a note on that. You cannot necessarily blame your realtor for this, there is the buyer's realtor as well. If HE is busy, it can take forever and lots of pages and messages to get someone to get back to you. Especially if his client lost interest or something, calling you back with a reason is not always high on their priority list. Again, you are dealing with things your realtor cannot always control.

 

[Chicago526]

Here are some examples of really GOOD pictures. As you can see, my condo was clutter free and it makes the rooms seem much bigger.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Well, but just a note on that. You cannot necessarily blame your realtor for this, there is the buyer's realtor as well. If HE is busy, it can take forever and lots of pages and messages to get someone to get back to you. Especially if his client lost interest or something, calling you back with a reason is not always high on their priority list. Again, you are dealing with things your realtor cannot always control.

This is so, so true. I have the hardest time getting feedback sometimes. It's like pulling teeth. Half the time, I get these "stock" answers that I can tell are pre-fabricated. Not only do they not help my clients, it irritates them as well.

Sometimes it's easier to lie, than to be bluntly honest about something that you don't like.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Here are some examples of really GOOD pictures. As you can see, my condo was clutter free and it makes the rooms seem much bigger.

Nice pics! You see in the bathroom how the rugs do not look good on film? In person they are fine, but in your staging pic's take them up.
It creates a focal on the floor.

 

[malibuconlee]

I'll throw in my two cents. (I'm also getting ready to put my house on the market, because DH accepted a position with a different company and we're moving out of state)

You're right. Seasonally your best time to put a house on the market is in the spring. We fully expect to sit on the house until the spring, even tho the Realtor says we should know how the house is going to go over within 45 days.

I say talk to him and let him know your frustration. Ask what his strategies are for the next listing period.

I have seen properties taken off the market and listed as "new". It doesn't have to be for 90 days. That seems like a long time.

A broker I know says the reason a house won't sell is because of price. There isn't a property out there that someone wouldn't buy for a dollar.

Also, all the Realtors I know say that Open Houses don't sell a house. They are for the benefit of the owner to show that they are working on the owner's behalf.

Good luck. I'm sure it's frustrating. I know the house three doors down went up for sale this summer. It didn't sel. I believe it was overpriced. They took it off the market after school started. They are now just finishing a new driveway and 2 car garage in the back yard. I'm assuming they decided to stay in their house instead of putting it back up.

 

[Chicago526]

Nice pics! You see in the bathroom how the rugs do not look good on film? In person they are fine, but in your staging pic's take them up.
It creates a focal on the floor.

Thanks! It was the cleanest my home ever was, let me tell you!

And yeah, I didn't like the bath mats either!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I have seen properties taken off the market and listed as "new". It doesn't have to be for 90 days. That seems like a long time.

Here, a typical listing period is six months.

Some MLS's are getting savvy to the "relisting to make it look new" ploy. Our MLS now puts an asterisk next to the days on market, so that people know it isn't new.

Also, all the Realtors I know say that Open Houses don't sell a house. They are for the benefit of the owner to show that they are working on the owner's behalf.

Some agents do actually sell the house they're holding open, but the main reason agents like holding them open, is to get buyer leads. The chances of that potential buyer liking the house that you're holding open are slim, in contrast to all the other houses on the market.

Of course you want to impress your seller and let them see you hard at work, and it would also be great to reduce the seller's commission if you sell it yourself (I lower my commission considerably), but the main reason is to get leads. A lot of new agents get their start holding other agent's homes open for this very reason.

It's a competitive market for agents in most cities and this is one of the best ways (that, and working FSBO's) to gain new clients. Sometimes we luck out and find someone that has a house to sell too. This keeps the cycle going.