Irritated.

[jackskellington01]

This realtor would be in line for a commission if she sold the home? Is that commission SO small that it would be seriously reduced by the price of a few batteries? Sheesh! You're so much more restrained than I would be, dakcp2001. I think I'd have sent that email.

Well said

 

[dakcp2001]

Thank you all BTW, My husband couldnt understand why I was so upset. I really was angry at her email, and when he blew it off I was pretty angry with him for not getting it. lol. I almost put him on a plane with some batteries haha.

 

[Pamlur]

Men just don't understand, sometimes. I think you have gotten some great advice, here.

 

[bunkkinsmom]

I deal with Realtors on a daily basis, and I would fire this one. For Real. Ridiculous.

 

[CathrynRose]

I'd thank her for the heads up, and promptly send an email to a new realtor, and start it with "I'm curious if you'd be willing to change my smoke detector batteries....."

 

[undertheradar]

When we sold our out of state home, any maintenance issues were dealt with by a handyman at our expense. I can understand you being surprised at the request but if the smoke detector is older and falls apart while the realtor handles it, I'm sure you would expect her to replace it. This sounds very minor and not worth the anger you are giving it. As others asked, who is caring for the lawn, etc.?

 

[dakcp2001]

When we sold our out of state home, any maintenance issues were dealt with by a handyman at our expense. I can understand you being surprised at the request but if the smoke detector is older and falls apart while the realtor handles it, I'm sure you would expect her to replace it. This sounds very minor and not worth the anger you are giving it. As others asked, who is caring for the lawn, etc.?

Seems ridiculous to hire someone to go over to remove the batteries. I bet the handyman would laugh when I call to ask how much he charges to change batteries. Where in the phonebook would I look for such a skilled battery changer? I emailed her back and told her she can take them out if the noise is that annoying. The smoke detectors are not older and will not fall apart, but thanks for the ridiculous possibility. Don't go into real estate, please.

 

[Acklander]

Seems ridiculous to hire someone to go over to remove the batteries. I bet the handyman would laugh when I call to ask how much he charges to change batteries. Where in the phonebook would I look for such a skilled battery changer? I emailed her back and told her she can take them out if the noise is that annoying. The smoke detectors are not older and will not fall apart, but thanks for the ridiculous possibility. Don't go into real estate, please.

They would be under property management.

 

[dakcp2001]

They would be under property management.

You are absolutely right. I should immediately hire one to be on stand by in case the batteries should need changing again. lol. Rest of the time they can just be on call, you know, just in case a bee gets in the house or some other big emergency.

 

[Klismania]

To look at it from the agency's point of view:

I know almost everyone here is making it out to be about the cost of the batteries, but technnically the REA should not be touching ANYTHING in the house or making ANY repairs or maintenance to the house. To do so would leave them open to a lawsuit by an unhappy seller.

When we sold our out of state home, any maintenance issues were dealt with by a handyman at our expense. I can understand you being surprised at the request but if the smoke detector is older and falls apart while the realtor handles it, I'm sure you would expect her to replace it. This sounds very minor and not worth the anger you are giving it. As others asked, who is caring for the lawn, etc.?

Exactly.

Instead of being angry at someone who is following the protocols of her employer, it's probably better to contract with a property management firm in the area who would take care of these issues in your stead since you're so far away. THAT's why your realtor called you - to inform whomever is taking care of your house for you that they need to replace the batteries. I'm sure they weren't asking you to fly to an opposite coast to replace batteries.

If I were viewing a house where the smoke alarm battery was continually going off, I'd be wondering what else the owner let slide to the point of going dead. It wouldn't leave me with a very good impression of the house and I'd probably take a pass on it.

 

[dakcp2001]

To look at it from the agency's point of view:

I know almost everyone here is making it out to be about the cost of the batteries, but technnically the REA should not be touching ANYTHING in the house or making ANY repairs or maintenance to the house. To do so would leave them open to a lawsuit by an unhappy seller.

Exactly.

Instead of being angry at someone who is following the protocols of her employer, it's probably better to contract with a property management firm in the area who would take care of these issues in your stead since you're so far away. THAT's why your realtor called you - to inform whomever is taking care of your house for you that they need to replace the batteries. I'm sure they weren't asking you to fly to an opposite coast to replace batteries.

If I were viewing a house where the smoke alarm battery was continually going off, I'd be wondering what else the owner let slide to the point of going dead. It wouldn't leave me with a very good impression of the house and I'd probably take a pass on it.

Please RE READ THE ORIGINAL POST.

 

[mickeysgal]

We have a piece of rental property. We have a management firm that books it and subsequently takes care any incidental issues that come up. Major things they let us know so that we can arrange/approve of before they fix anything. Changing batteries in smoke detectors, replacing light bulbs, weed wacking are minor and they take care of them without asking. We only live an hour away from this property but this is what they do - and they charge us for it. I can't imagine that the real estate agency doesn't have this kind of service in place to cope with properties whose owners are no longer close to the property. Just simple things like monitoring the air/heat systems, mowing the lawn, weed control, bushes trimmed, etc. all seem to be things that a REA should have in place already for this home and perhaps should have been part of the original contract/arrangement. They're acting like this is the first time they've had a property where the sellers have moved out. Did they perhaps want you to sign on for such a maintainance service and you declined so that is why they're letting you know about such a minor issue as batteries?

 

[PlutoPony]

If I were viewing a house where the smoke alarm battery was continually going off, I'd be wondering what else the owner let slide to the point of going dead. It wouldn't leave me with a very good impression of the house and I'd probably take a pass on it.

Interesting. In this situation as a potential buyer, it would leave me a very poor impression of the realtor that they couldn't be bothered to do something as simple as change the smoke alarm batteries. And frankly, in a competitive market I'd be a little concerned about that realtor doing everything they have to do to get to the closing table.

Of course that assumes I have the backstory on the house, i.e. seller lives far away, etc. That's info we've typically had when looking at houses.

 

[dakcp2001]

We have a piece of rental property. We have a management firm that books it and subsequently takes care any incidental issues that come up. Major things they let us know so that we can arrange/approve of before they fix anything. Changing batteries in smoke detectors, replacing light bulbs, weed wacking are minor and they take care of them without asking. We only live an hour away from this property but this is what they do - and they charge us for it. I can't imagine that the real estate agency doesn't have this kind of service in place to cope with properties whose owners are no longer close to the property. Just simple things like monitoring the air/heat systems, mowing the lawn, weed control, bushes trimmed, etc. all seem to be things that a REA should have in place already for this home and perhaps should have been part of the original contract/arrangement. They're acting like this is the first time they've had a property where the sellers have moved out. Did they perhaps want you to sign on for such a maintainance service and you declined so that is why they're letting you know about such a minor issue as batteries?

They offered no such service. I have a contracted lawn care and snow removal company, they handle only outside I do not give them keys. My dad lives 2 hours away and does the regular maintenance that is necessary he goes by every so often to make sure things are ok. Unfortunately my dad is the one that will end up taking care of this. It is just frustrating that something that could have been so simply taken care of will now require 4 hours worth of driving. My husband is convinced that my realtor has the hots for my dad. She really goes out of her way to make him drive all the way there. I must say though, if she is hoping for a date, she is not winning any points.

 

[laughinplace199]

The realtor expecting someone in your family to drive 2 hrs to replace the batteries is ridiculous. I'd definitely be looking for a new realtor.

My dad is semi-retired and dabbles in real estate. He recently had a listing that went under agreement quickly, but there weren't enough smoke detectors in the house per the fire dept code. My dad went out to Home Depot, bought the smoke detectors, installed them, and the closing was able to progress smoothly as a result.

 

[dakcp2001]

The realtor expecting someone in your family to drive 2 hrs to replace the batteries is ridiculous. I'd definitely be looking for a new realtor.

My dad is semi-retired and dabbles in real estate. He recently had a listing that went under agreement quickly, but there weren't enough smoke detectors in the house per the fire dept code. My dad went out to Home Depot, bought the smoke detectors, installed them, and the closing was able to progress smoothly as a result.

What state is he in? lol

 

[mickeysgal]

They offered no such service. I have a contracted lawn care and snow removal company, they handle only outside I do not give them keys. My dad lives 2 hours away and does the regular maintenance that is necessary he goes by every so often to make sure things are ok. Unfortunately my dad is the one that will end up taking care of this. It is just frustrating that something that could have been so simply taken care of will now require 4 hours worth of driving. My husband is convinced that my realtor has the hots for my dad. She really goes out of her way to make him drive all the way there. I must say though, if she is hoping for a date, she is not winning any points.

Your poor dad. Is there an old neighbor you can ask to help for this three minute issue? Or, like so many others have said, just ask the real estate agent to take out the batteries. Let that be an issue during the inspection and give an allowance for a 4 pack of batteries. Or, find another REA. This is really uncalled for.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Nah, I'd leave those batteries right where they are.

I vote for this! Just say, sorry. I can't make arrangements to do this.

I mean, what's the worst that can happen if you do nothing? I would totally take Uncle Remus' advice!

If your house doesn't sell by Oct, don't renew the contract and call the boss and tell them exactly why. Oh, and that you were so entertained by this, you had to publish it on FB so everyone could be amused by the actions of So and So Realty.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

If I were viewing a house where the smoke alarm battery was continually going off, I'd be wondering what else the owner let slide to the point of going dead. It wouldn't leave me with a very good impression of the house and I'd probably take a pass on it.

Seriously? So you wouldn't even stop to consider that maybe the batteries went out the week after the homeowner left and moved to the other side of the country and had no idea that the batteries were dead? Do you really think she would leave dead, beeping batteries in the house before she left?
I don't consider a dead battery as something the owner let slide. If a dead battery would keep you from buying a house...I don't even know what to say. Sorry, but your post is quite unbelievable. Unless you are the Realtor.

 

[Embel]

I can't tell from your posts. Did you ask the realtor if she would be willing to replace them for you?