Real Estate Agents... I have a ? about one I used.

[Papa Deuce]

I talked to a woman 2x on the phone. Then she took me to see a triplex. I wasn't thrilled with the place, and told her that, but also said I was still going to consider it. We were totally friendly in our meeting. She sent me a nice follow up email.

I sent her an email with some things I needed answered before progressing any further. I am already preapproved to buy.

That was 8 days ago. She did not reply. I left her a phone msg. No reply. That was 5 days ago.

My question is, I have no need to use her now, do I? I did not sign anything, though it is her company that represents the buyer ( her cousin is the owner of the real estate company ).

Can I blow her off and find someone who actually follows up and does his or her job?

 

[marydmjj]

ABSOLUTELY! As long as you haven't signed a buyers agreement then you can walk away with no worries. You want someone who is going to represent you through the entire transaction and that includes good communication. I would find someone (and we are out there) that will work their hiney off for you and earn their commission.

 

[bamajill]

I agree 100% w/the previous poster. That Realtor has done NOTHING to earn your business. If you signed nothing, you owe them nothing. (and if you did sign a buyers agency you should call their broker and tell them that you are not happy with your Realtor---see what they are willing to do).

I hope you have better luck with your next Realtor.

It's frustrating to me b/c as a newish Realtor (18mths now) I would kill for new business (...well not really...but you KWIM). It's a tough business and I'm really trying. (do you need property in Alabama???? )

 

[Talking Hands]

Certainly. You have not signed a contract with her to be a buyers agent so you are free to find one that will actually work with you for your benefit. Unless she is in the hospital there is no excuse for her not getting back to you.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I agree 100% w/the previous poster. That Realtor has done NOTHING to earn your business. If you signed nothing, you owe them nothing. (and if you did sign a buyers agency you should call their broker and tell them that you are not happy with your Realtor---see what they are willing to do).

I hope you have better luck with your next Realtor.

It's frustrating to me b/c as a newish Realtor (18mths now) I would kill for new business (...well not really...but you KWIM). It's a tough business and I'm really trying. (do you need property in Alabama???? )

No.... but Arkansas is on the agenda!

 

[bamajill]

Tarter sauce...I'm pretty sure I don't have reciprocity in Arkansas....

But Alabama is WAY better than Arkansas.....give it some thought !!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I talked to a woman 2x on the phone. Then she took me to see a triplex. I wasn't thrilled with the place, and told her that, but also said I was still going to consider it. We were totally friendly in our meeting. She sent me a nice follow up email.

I sent her an email with some things I needed answered before progressing any further. I am already preapproved to buy.

That was 8 days ago. She did not reply. I left her a phone msg. No reply. That was 5 days ago.

Unfortunately, this isn't unusual. There are some crappy agents out there, that give the good ones a bad name.

My question is, I have no need to use her now, do I? I did not sign anything, though it is her company that represents the buyer ( her cousin is the owner of the real estate company ).

Can I blow her off and find someone who actually follows up and does his or her job?

Keep in mind, I'm in Texas, but as long as you didn't sign a Buyer's Rep Agreement, you don't owe her any loyalty.

One piece of advice: find you another buyer's agent. Don't use the listing agent. Their loyalty is to their seller. You need someone in your corner, representing you.

Good luck!

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I put my money on one of two things:

1) She really is a flake
2) She's on vacation this week and neglected to tell you so.

I would put a call in again with a deadline and all your contact information. If she reaches you by that point, I'd be more concerned than if she doesn't. If she doesn't, then she's likely out of the office. If she does, why wasn't she returning your other contacts?

 

[SillyMe]

Did you call the broker and tell him/her that she's not returning your calls? Guaranteed the broker will take care of it. They won't let a buyer walk away because of a neglectful agent.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Did you call the broker and tell him/her that she's not returning your calls? Guaranteed the broker will take care of it. They won't let a buyer walk away because of a neglectful agent.

Nah, you know me..... I got peeved. I sent her a polite, but pointed letter about not needing her services any longer. No expletives or anything, but I let her know I was not appreciative.

BTW, to the other posters, even if she is away, doesn't someone from her company cover for her? I was under the impression that this was quite common.

 

[SillyMe]

I'm an Office Manager for a real estate company and either someone should be covering for her, or she should be checking her voice mail and emails while she's gone. If our realtors go away and know they will be unavailable, they always work with each other or me, to make sure everything is covered and someone else is available to handle their clients and customers. Not returning phone calls is unacceptable.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Nah, you know me..... I got peeved. I sent her a polite, but pointed letter about not needing her services any longer. No expletives or anything, but I let her know I was not appreciative.

BTW, to the other posters, even if she is away, doesn't someone from her company cover for her? I was under the impression that this was quite common.

We're independent contractors and run our business, like... well, a business. There are bad business owners in all industries, real estate not withstanding.

Someone else mentioned notifying the broker. I've worked for brokers who were worse than the agents that they held the licenses for. I could have been harassing clients and my old broker wouldn't have done squat had he been called.

My new broker on the other hand, would probably send my license back to TREC if he got a call like that. Either way, if she let you down once, I wouldn't trust her to handle the transaction for me.

With that said, when I go out of town, I have arrangements with another agent in my office to handle business that I can't get to.

Your agent violated a code of ethics, but it would be hard to prove without a signed buyer's rep agreement. Technically, you aren't considered a client until that relationship is in writing. Up to that point, you're a customer. Either way, she owed you a certain amount of service and you didn't get it.

Sorry - it really irritates me. It's people like her, that start the never-ending, "My Real Estate Agent is Horrible" threads. If you need a referral, I'd be happy to find you an agent that has the ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) designation in your area. It wouldn't make them bulletproof, but you'd know that they had advanced training in representing buyers.

 

[Melrosgirl]

If she is out of town and you are just emailing her personal email address at work and/or calling her cell phone, then she has no way of getting her messages. I would give her until after the long holiday weekend to get back to you at least.

 

[lowie]

as long as you didn't sign a buyers agreement then you certainly can and should go elsewhere. i'm not sure about where you live, but in some places it would be customary for the original realtor to get a piece of the action if you purchase the home she originally showed you. but NOT here in florida.

 

[Missy Mouse]

You sure can. You have no legal commitment to them without signing. She probably sold it under you and that's why she's not contacting back. Realtors can be real snakes like that. You're better off anyway. When it's the right house, you KNOW. You can feel it's your home, and the right agent will not put the pressure on!

I talked to a woman 2x on the phone. Then she took me to see a triplex. I wasn't thrilled with the place, and told her that, but also said I was still going to consider it. We were totally friendly in our meeting. She sent me a nice follow up email.

I sent her an email with some things I needed answered before progressing any further. I am already preapproved to buy.

That was 8 days ago. She did not reply. I left her a phone msg. No reply. That was 5 days ago.

My question is, I have no need to use her now, do I? I did not sign anything, though it is her company that represents the buyer ( her cousin is the owner of the real estate company ).

Can I blow her off and find someone who actually follows up and does his or her job?

 

[diznygirl]

If she is out of town and you are just emailing her personal email address at work and/or calling her cell phone, then she has no way of getting her messages. I would give her until after the long holiday weekend to get back to you at least.

There are automatic "out of the offices" messages that can be set up when you are out of town - you can change your voicemail to reflect whether you are out of town or not - you can also still check email and voicemail while out of the office.

Papa Deuce - I probably would have done exactly what you did. If she WAS out on vacation, she will most certainly learn how to alert people in the future.

 

[arminnie]

No.... but Arkansas is on the agenda!

Depending on the location I could give you a couple of recommendations for you to choose from. I had a horrible experience with a company in N.W. Arkansas. I was selling and the selling broker left and they forgot to put in in the MLS for a month!

I know some excellent ones in Central AR. Froggie probably knows some good ones down in his part of the state also. Bet you're looking at NW AR though - that's where it's all happening these days. Very, very pretty too.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Realtors can be real snakes like that.

Please, please, please don't generalize like that. Not all realtors are like this one. Most are hard-working, honest people, just like everyone else trying to make a living.

There are bad apples in every industry. I'm sure I can pull up tons of articles on bad doctors, dentists, teachers, nurses, lawyers and even priests. That doesn't make the others bad as well.

I really should stay away from threads like this. When will I ever learn...

 

[Papa Deuce]

Depending on the location I could give you a couple of recommendations for you to choose from. I had a horrible experience with a company in N.W. Arkansas. I was selling and the selling broker left and they forgot to put in in the MLS for a month!

I know some excellent ones in Central AR. Froggie probably knows some good ones down in his part of the state also. Bet you're looking at NW AR though - that's where it's all happening these days. Very, very pretty too.

Actually, we are just looking for land at Holiday Island area for future building.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Please, please, please don't generalize like that. Not all realtors are like this one. Most are hard-working, honest people, just like everyone else trying to make a living.

There are bad apples in every industry. I'm sure I can pull up tons of articles on bad doctors, dentists, teachers, nurses, lawyers and even priests. That doesn't make the others bad as well.

I really should stay away from threads like this. When will I ever learn...

LOL, as the OP, I understand not to make this assumption / generalization!

Good and bad with everybody!