I think you are right to be concerned. It is hard enough to make an open house profitable even with advance notice and lots of advertising. And, I think you are correct about Sunday ...seems people will be busy with other things. Could she make it the next weekend?

Has she put an ad in the local newspaper announcing the open house?

Offer to swing by her office today and collect the road signs, so that you can post them early Sunday AM.

I believe you are the poster who said that your local craigslist wasn't well utilized, but if I were you, I would post an ad there today announcing the open house, with directions, times, etc.

Great idea Graywings. Its done.
I can't make it to her office, I'm leaving town for an apt/house hunting trip where I'm relocating. After I mow the lawn and do a couple of things around the house for tomorrow and packing a trailer I'm driving 14 hours. Besides she made it very clear that I was to back off after complaining about the pictures on the website (lacking and then squished).
I think she plans one for the weekend after Mem Day? Not sure. Hopefully.

she made it very clear that I was to back off after complaining about the pictures on the website (lacking and then squished).

That wouldn't fly well with me from an employee, which she is. Maybe when you get back, you can fill us in.

I think I would make it equally clear that she's history when your contract expires.

But I'm not supposed to distract her.

What the heck does that mean?
I called my realtor every day to check, double check, and verify everything. It may be just a job to them but to us it is our lives. Make yourself the squeaky wheel on her client list and if she doesn't like it she can terminate the blasted contract herself.

Mary can you post the link to your listing? I know you posted it from the military FSBO site, but can you post the one on the MLS so we can see the pics?

Just finished mowing. Whew.
She finally got the better front and back pictures I took up but I still think the front house picture looks squished somehow. She had added a better picture of the master bath I took but now just has the one with the distracting lights on. (The color is warmer but you cant see the walk in tile shower which when you take a picture with the lights on all you get is light reflections). I retook the picture from the back without the mulch spots:) and she used that.
She still has not added the dimensions of the laundry room despite my mentioning it twice. Must not be a big deal but since its a small house I think every bit counts. I don't dare remind her again.
My master bed picture preference would be pointed the other way without my crappy bed. I did buy a new cheap navy blue bedspread and some yellow gold pillows for the open house. I think my kitchen picture had few shadows and neither of us did well with the dining area.
Anyway dont know how to do two links - below is the brokers website which I think most buyer's would be using to search rather the mls

http://www.npdodge.com/idx_home.cfm?mls=20710050
brokers website

and then the mls listing

Here is a link that might be useful: mls listing

Personally, I think its unacceptable that your realtor would say things like "Don't distract me" or even just making you feel like you are imposing on them.

They have been hired to do a JOB and are getting paid GOOD money. I think you should feel like you can offer suggestions and feedback, since its YOUR money you are paying her.

If it were me, I'd be sitting down, having a chat with her about how things are going to be... and tell her, if you don't like it, end the contract... NOW.

That's just unacceptable to me from start to finish.
Good luck.
GP

giantpony said: Personally, I think its unacceptable that your realtor would say things like "Don't distract me" or even just making you feel like you are imposing on them.

DITTO.

You just found out Fri that your agent wants to have an OH on Sunday? That isn't much notice. What is she trying to do? Punish you for asking her to change the pics on the website?

Surely there must be an agent in your area that doesn't treat their clients this poorly.

Here is the link to the agent's site

Mary - this is so funny - I remember the discussion on the decorating board about your using a bedpan as a decoration on the sink counter in your bathroom. I know you love it, but really, get rid of it before the open house. People are finicky in ways you can't imagine.

I guess you have already told her that the "large ceramic shower" is a photo of a sunset?

Mary - this is so funny - I remember the discussion on the decorating board about your using a bedpan as a decoration on the sink counter in your bathroom. I know you love it, but really, get rid of it before the open house. People are finicky in ways you can't imagine.

OMG! I hadn't noticed the bedpan. Yes, get rid of it at once.
Since you don't have a headboard you should add some nice pillows in shams on your bed.
And your agents has the sunset picture mislabeled as "large ceramic shower".

[QUOTE]But I'm not supposed to distract her.

What the heck does that mean?
I called my realtor every day to check, double check, and verify everything. It may be just a job to them but to us it is our lives. Make yourself the squeaky wheel on her client list and if she doesn't like it she can terminate the blasted contract herself.[/QUOTE]

Well, if I remember correctly, that advice was from another poster here, not from the real estate agent herself. The point was that the OP was too emotionally involved, where she wasn't making rational decisions, and needed to let the agent do her job. For example, how was the price determined? Was the agent looking at the comp and at the market, and then trying to come up with the price? Or, was it the OP telling the agent what the price needed to be, irregardless of what the comps were?

We still don't know what what the agent said, and are instead relying on what the OP is telling us. For all we know, what was said could have been rather innocous. Seems to me that the OP is just looking for us to validate her wanting to fire her agent, something she wanted to do less than a week after signing with the agent. And, I suspect that the OP won't have too much trobule convincing her agent to let her out of this contract.

Cause honestly, I don't quite understand some of her points here. Does the house really look squished to anybody else? Are the dimensions of the laundry room really that important? I also don't know why you would want a pic of the bedroom at another angle, where you would rather have a pic of the door than the bed. And, why would you not want lights on in the master bath in the pic if it brightens up that space?

And, I wouldn't worry so much about this open house because open houses really aren't that effective at selling houses. Mostly, you get looky loos, who just happened to drive by the place, but I don't think you'll even get that with this location. A realtor isn't likely to bring their client to an open house, but isntead set up a private appointment.

marv, the point is that getting ready for an OH, which may or may not bring in anyone, is a lot of work and the seller has every right to be asked when it is convenient, not told.

With things so slow, sellers are willing to try anything and the agent owes the HO the respect of including her in all discussions. If one of those looky loos decides it is time to move, then it will be time well spent. Who cares if they have an agent with them or not?? If no one knows it is happening, then a lot of effort has been expended for nothing.

And the house does look a little strange to me and if it looks odd to the HO then it needs to be corrected. The agent needs to start doing her job or its time to replace her.

tuscanlover,

Where did it say that the OP just found out Friday that the agent wanted the OH on Sunday or that it was the agent telling, not asking the OP, when to hold the OH? If that's what happened, then I would agree with you that the OP has a legitimate beef.

"sending out invites to realtors who have sold acreages in my price range for an open house Sunday."

Is this an open house for other agents or for buyers? Open houses for buyers are usually advertised in the newspaper. Especially for places like yours, where it's unlikely that people will just drive by and see the sign.

What did you like about this agent when you signed with her? She seems to be annoying you quite a bit. She must have said something that you liked. How long is your listing contract?

I'm assuming its a open house for buyers since its on the weekend, and open houses for agents are usually scheduled on weekdays. And, if it was for an open house for agents, it would be part of their caravan and so its not like they'd have other things scheduled for that time.

If that's what we're talking about, then this is a rant about not alerting agents for a open house that's mainly going to attract potential buyers who aren't using agents...