Spiteful real estate agent- UPDATE Post 55

[luvflorida]

Prior to putting our house on the market, my husband and I contacted three different real estate companies. We met with three different agents, at different times, and then chose the one we wanted to list our house with.

One of the agents was a lady that used to work at the same place my husband works. She quit and went into real estate. When she found out, through mutual friends, that we were putting our house on the market, she contacted my husband about listing our house. So, she was one of the three that we met with. However, she was not the agent we decided to list our house with. And, let me just say, she is not happy with our decision.

When she saw that we had listed our house with another agency, she sent an e-mail to my husband wishing us good luck on our decision. The e-mail was very passive-aggressive, though. She also said that she couldn't believe we went with an agent that was totally inexperienced and had yet to sell a house, but if that's the way we want to do things, fine with her. She also let us know that when our house doesn't sell, she's willing to meet with us again.

We also know that she has complained to mutual friends about our decision, and how she knows we'll regret not listing with her. Um, okay.

Now, three months later, this wacky real estate agent sends another e-mail to my husband. She tells him that she sees we haven't sold our house yet, and it's such a shame that we can't go forward with our plans to move to Arizona. Then she says that he'd probably be interested in an article that was published in a local chamber of commerce paper, and she sends the link. The article was about her and how she was just nominated top seller at her agency.

Does it sound like she's just a tad bitter about our decision to go with another agency?

 

[kirbsam]

let it go.

 

[TomLovesBecky]

I would probably send her back a brief e-mail saying how very glad you are not to have chosen such a passive-aggressive and harassing agent! I would then say, do not contact us again, or I will be turning over copies of your e-mails to... (well you will think of someplace to turn her in for harassment, maybe the BBB?)

 

[marlynnp]

Are you just venting or do you want to stop her behavior?

If you want to stop her inappropriate contact call her broker.

 

[polineedyan]

She's a nut, and I would forward her email to the owner of the real estate company she works for. I would also email it to your current agent. Its definitely unprofessional, and borderline harrassement. Especially since it was by mere coincidence that she found out they worked together. Had she known your husband on a personal level, I could see the reasoning, but only maybe. This is a stranger, and she needs to leave you alone..

 

[4greatboys]

I would contact her Broker and let them know how unprofessional she is being.

 

[JimFitz]

I would contact her Broker and let them know how unprofessional she is being.

EXACTLY!

 

[kendall]

If she has only sent you the 2 emails, I would probably not view this as harassment. Two possible responses:

1. Do nothing and let it go - just ignore the email and treat it as any other solicitation of services or spam email. You can even go as far as blocking her email address in your email program or set up a rule to send her email to the spam folder.

2. Send an email response something to the effect of, "Thank you so much for your offer to be our listing agent should we desire to switch agents. At this point we are satisfied with our current realtor and do not have plans to change listing agents. Congratuations on your nomation as top seller and best wishes with your career."
In other words, don't call us, we'll call you. Then, if she continues to email you, I would be more explicit and request to be removed from her email contacts, making the request via email and cc'ing the broker.

 

[luvflorida]

Are you just venting or do you want to stop her behavior?

Not really a vent, more of an I can't believe she is behaving so immature. It just surprises me that a professional person thinks it's okay to act like that.

We were really taken aback at her first e-mail, and now the link to her successes.

 

[mickeysgal]

Let it go, ignore her, and make sure that if your listing contract comes up for renewal that you don't list with her.

She's trying to belittle and strong arm you. Don't fall for it.

Good luck with selling your home!

 

[Uncle Remus]

What a dip, nothing prevents her from selling your house, all she has to do is provide a buyer.

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

Prior to putting our house on the market, my husband and I contacted three different real estate companies. We met with three different agents, at different times, and then chose the one we wanted to list our house with.

One of the agents was a lady that used to work at the same place my husband works. She quit and went into real estate. When she found out, through mutual friends, that we were putting our house on the market, she contacted my husband about listing our house. So, she was one of the three that we met with. However, she was not the agent we decided to list our house with. And, let me just say, she is not happy with our decision.

When she saw that we had listed our house with another agency, she sent an e-mail to my husband wishing us good luck on our decision. The e-mail was very passive-aggressive, though. She also said that she couldn't believe we went with an agent that was totally inexperienced and had yet to sell a house, but if that's the way we want to do things, fine with her. She also let us know that when our house doesn't sell, she's willing to meet with us again.

We also know that she has complained to mutual friends about our decision, and how she knows we'll regret not listing with her. Um, okay.

Now, three months later, this wacky real estate agent sends another e-mail to my husband. She tells him that she sees we haven't sold our house yet, and it's such a shame that we can't go forward with our plans to move to Arizona. Then she says that he'd probably be interested in an article that was published in a local chamber of commerce paper, and she sends the link. The article was about her and how she was just nominated top seller at her agency.

Does it sound like she's just a tad bitter about our decision to go with another agency?

I have a slightly different take on it.

She has only contacted you twice in 3 months. This is not harrassment.

And I don't see it as much passive aggressive as plain old aggressive. She is shamelessly selling herself, which is a good trait in real estate agents. That is part of the game.

You don't get top seller unless you are aggressively going after listings and then working just as hard to sell them.

If she is contacting you about listing your house, she is probably also cold-calling and going after buyers for the houses she has listed.

I would actually consider her if your house does not sell. You don't have to like her, you just want somebody aggressive enough to try to sell your house in this flailing market.

My guess is that this has nothing to do with your husband having previously worked with her. This is probably her standard follow-up on listings she has been interviewed about. It is good business. A follow-up thankyou right after the interview and then keeping track of listings and following up at 3 months, when contracts might be expiring. I bet you will get another e-mail at the 6 month point.

Are you perhaps feeling just a bit guilty and so are reading a bit more into her two e-mails three months apart?

 

[Nancyg56]

I have a slightly different take on it.

She has only contacted you twice in 3 months. This is not harrassment.

And I don't see it as much passive aggressive as plain old aggressive. She is shamelessly selling herself, which is a good trait in real estate agents. That is part of the game.

You don't get top seller unless you are aggressively going after listings and then working just as hard to sell them.

If she is contacting you about listing your house, she is probably also cold-calling and going after buyers for the houses she has listed.

I would actually consider her if your house does not sell. You don't have to like her, you just want somebody aggressive enough to try to sell your house in this flailing market.

My guess is that this has nothing to do with your husband having previously worked with her. This is probably her standard follow-up on listings she has been interviewed about. It is good business. A follow-up thankyou right after the interview and then keeping track of listings and following up at 3 months, when contracts might be expiring. I bet you will get another e-mail at the 6 month point.

Are you perhaps feeling just a bit guilty and so are reading a bit more into her two e-mails three months apart?

I agree with this poster. If I was selling my home I would want someone who is assertive and who is not afraid to contact sellers. This shows she is willing to contact buyers. If you don't want to list with her just tell her that you are happy with your agent. You may want to consider her when your contract runs out though, so think about what is in your best interest before you respond.

My DH cousin is a Realtor and she is a gutsy woman. In a time when so many are having trouble making sales she is rockin busy but she is not afraid to make calls, follow up on leads and adjust to the climate. IF I ever sell my home I am going to her, she sold her Dad's house in three days and for a hefty profit

 

[luvflorida]

I have a slightly different take on it.

She has only contacted you twice in 3 months. This is not harrassment.

And I don't see it as much passive aggressive as plain old aggressive. She is shamelessly selling herself, which is a good trait in real estate agents. That is part of the game.

You don't get top seller unless you are aggressively going after listings and then working just as hard to sell them.

If she is contacting you about listing your house, she is probably also cold-calling and going after buyers for the houses she has listed.

I would actually consider her if your house does not sell. You don't have to like her, you just want somebody aggressive enough to try to sell your house in this flailing market.

My guess is that this has nothing to do with your husband having previously worked with her. This is probably her standard follow-up on listings she has been interviewed about. It is good business. A follow-up thankyou right after the interview and then keeping track of listings and following up at 3 months, when contracts might be expiring. I bet you will get another e-mail at the 6 month point.

Are you perhaps feeling just a bit guilty and so are reading a bit more into her two e-mails three months apart?

I agree that it isn't harrassment. And, I only mentioned that she used to work with the same company as my husband because that's why we chose her as one of the three agents to consider. She contacted us, we figured why not meet with her. Sort of doing a former co-worker a favor.

When we met with her, she just seemed overly pushy to us and didn't really listen to our concerns. So, in our case, her personality turned us off.

I know what you're saying as far as following up and so on, but I really think she's thrown a few digs at us. Maybe she just doesn't realize how she sounds, but I tend to think she does.

At this point, we would not consider her in the future, ever! But I agree, she must be doing something right in the real estate field.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Now, three months later, this wacky real estate agent sends another e-mail to my husband. She tells him that she sees we haven't sold our house yet, and it's such a shame that we can't go forward with our plans to move to Arizona. Then she says that he'd probably be interested in an article that was published in a local chamber of commerce paper, and she sends the link. The article was about her and how she was just nominated top seller at her agency.

I don't know how it works in other states but in Washington it against the law to solicite another agent's listings. It's an automatic fine from the Mulitple Listing Service and it can be steep, sometimes in the thousands!! I would keep the email and send it to your agent and ask him/her to forward it on to your state's Real Estate board or MLS.

 

[Mom2Nick]

I agree with this poster. If I was selling my home I would want someone who is assertive and who is not afraid to contact sellers. This shows she is willing to contact buyers. If you don't want to list with her just tell her that you are happy with your agent. You may want to consider her when your contract runs out though, so think about what is in your best interest before you respond.

My DH cousin is a Realtor and she is a gutsy woman. In a time when so many are having trouble making sales she is rockin busy but she is not afraid to make calls, follow up on leads and adjust to the climate. IF I ever sell my home I am going to her, she sold her Dad's house in three days and for a hefty profit

I agree. This woman may be turning you off - but if you think she can sell your house and be agressive about marketing it then consider her in a few months.

When we sold our first home I looked online and found an agent that had her name everywhere. It was a husband/wife team. They really rubbed me the wrong way when we met in person because they were so "in your face" but something told me to just sign with them and I did. They AGGRESSIVELY marketed my house and it sold in a week.

 

[drakethib]

I have a slightly different take on it.

She has only contacted you twice in 3 months. This is not harrassment.

And I don't see it as much passive aggressive as plain old aggressive. She is shamelessly selling herself, which is a good trait in real estate agents. That is part of the game.

You don't get top seller unless you are aggressively going after listings and then working just as hard to sell them.

If she is contacting you about listing your house, she is probably also cold-calling and going after buyers for the houses she has listed.

I would actually consider her if your house does not sell. You don't have to like her, you just want somebody aggressive enough to try to sell your house in this flailing market.

My guess is that this has nothing to do with your husband having previously worked with her. This is probably her standard follow-up on listings she has been interviewed about. It is good business. A follow-up thankyou right after the interview and then keeping track of listings and following up at 3 months, when contracts might be expiring. I bet you will get another e-mail at the 6 month point.

Are you perhaps feeling just a bit guilty and so are reading a bit more into her two e-mails three months apart?

I respectfully disagree.

Sounds like the agent is being a spoiled brat.

My email back to her would not be so nice along with a cc to the board of realtors

 

[JR6ooo4]

Not really a vent, more of an I can't believe she is behaving so immature. It just surprises me that a professional person thinks it's okay to act like that.

We were really taken aback at her first e-mail, and now the link to her successes.

Well there is the problem. You are expecting this from someone in sales?

They want your money! The may have fun and enjoy how they get it. They may actually like to make people happy by getting them into the right car or house, but they want your money.

Mikeeee

 

[jack hannah bananah]

What a dip, nothing prevents her from selling your house, all she has to do is provide a buyer.

My thoughts exactly. I think you should just let the emails go.
If you feel the need to respond, thank her for her interest and let her know that you hope she can still help you by finding a buyer. lol.

 

[drakethib]

Well there is the problem. You are expecting this from someone in sales?

They want your money! The may have fun and enjoy how they get it. They may actually like to make people happy by getting them into the right car or house, but they want your money.

Mikeeee

Most successful sales people would not act in such a way (which is why they are normally successful).

This agent sounds like a bad apple.