Irritated.

[spacemountainmom]

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.

I think we have a winner here!

The realtor sounds like a real piece of work and I would be contacting her superiors.

 

[swanmom]

My response to the original email from the realtor:

"No need to be concerned. Since taking the batteries out of the smoke detector is out of your scope of work, the new realtor I've hired has agreed to take care of this."

 

[ReneeA]

I'd be beyond irritated. All of the previous suggestions to let the realtor go and send a note to the manager of her group are fantastic ones. Then make sure your new realtor understands (and agrees to) you live across the country and they may have a few additional duties to get the house sold. Add in a couple hundred dollar bonus at the end if they did a good job.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

My response to the original email from the realtor:

"No need to be concerned. Since taking the batteries out of the smoke detector is out of your scope of work, the new realtor I've hired has agreed to take care of this."

 

[sweetdana]

It is a FHA violation to not have a smoke detector. The realtor is simply stopping a bad inspection. causing, possibly 2 appraisals. Most homes are being sold this way.

Also if the realtor does "fix this", they could be liable for damage, or in the event of a fire, it may be there fault (liable) if it doesn't work. It is a sue crazy world out there. I am not sure I would do it.

It sucks, no question. And I am not sure what options they have. I agree I would not go out there to change them. Do you have a firend you could trust?

 

[Klismania]

Please RE READ THE ORIGINAL POST.

My realtor who is selling my home on the opposite coast just sent me an email letting me know that my smoke detector batteries need to be replaced and the beeping is distracting and "needs to be addressed immediately". I am currently trying really hard not to fire back the email response I would like to. What do you think people, should I hop on a plane and go take care of the battery emergency? My closest family is 2 hours from this home. Ugh. I hate this home, I wish someone would just buy it. Or burn it down. Whatevs. Anywho, hope the beeping isn't too annoying to the NO ONE that lives there. I know it is not the realtors job to change the batteries, but well, I am still annoyed by her email ok?

Ok. I've read the original post. I still don't see your point. It's NOT the Realtor's job to do minor maintenance to the house. It's the Realtor's job to list the house, show the house, hopefully sell the house and be at the closing.

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.

Exactly.

Bottom line: it's your house. Do you want it sold or not? The realtor loses nothing except a potential commission if it sells. You, OTOH, have to keep paying out of pocket for upkeep, taxes, insurance, repairs, I'm not sure if you have a mortgage on it so there's that, heating, electric, water, etc.

If you're going to tell the realtor that you're miffed because she didn't change the batteries in YOUR house (not her house, YOUR house) and that's why you're dropping her as a representative, I'd be willing to bet she's probably going to be just as relieved as you are when your contract is up and you're going with someone else.

I'm just sayin'.

Hire a property management company if it's too long of a drive for your dad to do these things.

 

[cornflake]

It is a FHA violation to not have a smoke detector. The realtor is simply stopping a bad inspection. causing, possibly 2 appraisals. Most homes are being sold this way.

Also if the realtor does "fix this", they could be liable for damage, or in the event of a fire, it may be there fault (liable) if it doesn't work. It is a sue crazy world out there. I am not sure I would do it.

It sucks, no question. And I am not sure what options they have. I agree I would not go out there to change them. Do you have a firend you could trust?

The realtor, had she the sense god gave a parsnip, could just ask 'do you have someone who can take care of that or did you want me to change the batteries? I wouldn't want to do something without your approval.'

Realtors spend time and money showing places - going and making sure a place looks good, opening or closing drapes, vacuuming, wiping down a sink, taking out ads, putting out snacks and beverages for open houses, etc.

I can't imagine a realtor who wouldn't do it - though I agree with a post a few above mine - did the OP ask her to?

 

[dakcp2001]

I asked her to just take the batteries out, she never responded which is pretty par for the course.

 

[disneychick0412]

The realtor, had she the sense god gave a parsnip, could just ask 'do you have someone who can take care of that or did you want me to change the batteries? I wouldn't want to do something without your approval.' QUOTE]


to the bolded part!! ITA!!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

I asked her to just take the batteries out, she never responded which is pretty par for the course.

There's your answer. I'd email again asking why she did not respond and I would CC her boss.
Changing a few batteries should not cause all this drama, but the realtor is just being ridiculous. You asked her to take the batteries out, I would say in the email to her that you release any and all liabilities should damage rolleyes occur from the removal or replacement of the batteries. You could also inform her you will be mailing a package of 20 batteries to the office. That would be hilarious!

WTH happened to common courtesy. Geez!

 

[richmond282]

It is a FHA violation to not have a smoke detector. The realtor is simply stopping a bad inspection. causing, possibly 2 appraisals. Most homes are being sold this way.

Also if the realtor does "fix this", they could be liable for damage, or in the event of a fire, it may be there fault (liable) if it doesn't work. It is a sue crazy world out there. I am not sure I would do it. It sucks, no question. And I am not sure what options they have. I agree I would not go out there to change them. Do you have a firend you could trust?

Seriously??? There is NO LIVING IN THE HOUSE. Even if the batteries are replaced, there is no one there to hear the alarm go off or not go off. Those batteries are not going to prevent a fire nor is that that smoke detector gonna call 911. The smoke alarm is merely to notify people within hearing distance that they need to check on things and/or escape from a burning house.

OP, I would ask her to remove the batteries if it bothers her so much and then have your dad replace them the next time he goes over there. I certainly wouldn't have him make a 4 hour trip just for that.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Seriously??? There is NO LIVING IN THE HOUSE. Even if the batteries are replaced, there is no one there to hear the alarm go off or not go off. Those batteries are not going to prevent a fire nor is that that smoke detector gonna call 911. The smoke alarm is merely to notify people within hearing distance that they need to check on things and/or escape from a burning house.

OP, I would ask her to remove the batteries if it bothers her so much and then have your dad replace them the next time he goes over there. I certainly wouldn't have him make a 4 hour trip just for that.

Duh! I didn't even think of this! Excellent point

 

[cornflake]

I asked her to just take the batteries out, she never responded which is pretty par for the course.

Ah, then I'd be on the phone to her broker or agency or whomever and if she's running her own shop I'd look in the contract, as someone else suggested, for a nonperformance termination clause.

If not, I'd just hold out until October and ditch her. No way would I ask someone to make a 4 hour r/t to take out the batteries, especially as, considering her general attitude, it doesn't seem as if the place will be shown on the regular anyway.

 

[Bob NC]

Well, this being the DIS....

How dare you be upset with her! She most likely has some unseen affliction that renders the replacement of a AA Battery impossible for her. Also, the beeping probably sets off tremors and seizures, and if you were not so self-centered, you would have assumed this.

 

[spacemountainmom]

Well, this being the DIS....

How dare you be upset with her! She most likely has some unseen affliction that renders the replacement of a AA Battery impossible for her. Also, the beeping probably sets off tremors and seizures, and if you were not so self-centered, you would have assumed this.

 

[undertheradar]

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.

Thank you for that well thought out response. I think that possibly maturity may help you overcome some of these troubling experiences that you have. I merely suggested a realistic solution and you respond with bitterness .

So who is maintaining this home for you? Perhaps they can solve this foolish situation for you. Thanks for the career advice, I wouldn't make it your full time job.

 

[ols386]

The realtor should put new batteries in the smoke alarm. Geez, how hard could it be. Probably took more time to type and send the email than it would to just go ahead and replace the batteries.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I have to agree, the realtor sounds like a total "knob". When we moved to California and still had our home in Dallas, our realtor had our home vaccuumed and wiped once a week, and even packed up some clutter for us that was still in the house. Good luck on selling your home!

 

[dakcp2001]

Well, this being the DIS....

How dare you be upset with her! She most likely has some unseen affliction that renders the replacement of a AA Battery impossible for her. Also, the beeping probably sets off tremors and seizures, and if you were not so self-centered, you would have assumed this.

Very accurate. lol.

 

[tvguy]

Ok. I've read the original post. I still don't see your point. It's NOT the Realtor's job to do minor maintenance to the house. It's the Realtor's job to list the house, show the house, hopefully sell the house and be at the closing. Exactly.

Bottom line: it's your house. Do you want it sold or not? The realtor loses nothing except a potential commission if it sells. You, OTOH, have to keep paying out of pocket for upkeep, taxes, insurance, repairs, I'm not sure if you have a mortgage on it so there's that, heating, electric, water, etc.

If you're going to tell the realtor that you're miffed because she didn't change the batteries in YOUR house (not her house, YOUR house) and that's why you're dropping her as a representative, I'd be willing to bet she's probably going to be just as relieved as you are when your contract is up and you're going with someone else.

I'm just sayin'.

Hire a property management company if it's too long of a drive for your dad to do these things.

Hmmm, 6% commission on a sale of what $100,000? $200,000 ? or more ? and you won't spend 79 cents for the client? Wow, our sales people take clients out to $100 meals in an effort to close a $10,000 sale. Just sounds like poor salemanship to me.