Of course it would help - as long as the seller does their part too. The house needs to be prepped for decent pictures. The seller needs to contact the realtor for more flyers. Etc., etc. Maybe a timeline for both seller and realtor presented at signing?

In many states the listing must be up on the local MLS with a picture within 24 - 48 hours of signing. That is a timeline that all realtor's seem to meet because it could mean their license if they don't.

Communication and organization are the keys. There are truly some very bad realtors, just as there are unreasonable sellers.

That's an interesting point. As a lender handing REOs, my CEO & the Board required that I prepare a timeline for marketing every REO in my portfolio. The timeline included any repairs that needed to be accomplished (sometimes that meant building an entire house), the listing of the house with an agent, the agent's timeline for marketing, and/or my marketing plan if I wasn't using an agent, etc. I had to then prepare monthly updates to that timeline. It was a useful tool in managing my portfolio. At any given time, my portfolio consisted of approximately 125 pieces of property. Without the timeline, it would have been a pretty sure bet something would have slipped. I used my timeline as a filing system & it was the first thing I checked when arriving for work in the morning..."what's supposed to be happening today".

Price points were included in my timeline. If a property had been sitting for 30 days without a showing...I'd drop the price. There were about another half dozen criteria I used on the timeline to trigger price adjustments as well.

So, based on personal experience I would think a timeline from an agent to a seller would indeed be a useful tool for them as well. Of course, it goes without saying that by putting your intentions in writing you become accountable for making sure those dates don't slip.

I'll be interested to see what the agents here say about using the timeline concept with their sellers.

/T

I do provide timelines with my marketing plan. Just the way I was trained to do it. The downside is that much of what I do is accomplished within the first couple of weeks so it might seem like I'm not doing much after that. Once it hits the websites, the homes magazine, etc. it's there until it's sold/closed. If my clients want a public open house, we do the first one as soon as possible. Same thing with a Broker's open house. Additional open houses are the one thing I don't put into a timeline since it's different for every house. I take into consideration my clients needs, holidays, and any number of factors when determining the timing/need for additional open houses.

Timelines are a great idea. Because other than the first push, I want to know what the realtor will be doing if my house has been sitting on the market for 30 days and I've had very few showings. Other than me just reducing the price. Because if I reduce the price, I think another blitz of advertising is necessary.

I also don't think it should be the sellers responsibility to have to check things like the flyers by the sign. That is what I would paying a realtor for, to do all those things. The only thing I want to do as a seller is keep my house show ready, get lost when I have viewings, and accept an offer. The rest? I leave in the realtors hands.

I agree with rrah. I provide time lines for the first month of the listing when things need to get out there. After that you really have to adjust on a "house per house" basis. If a particular house is getting a lot of showings you may not want to do an open house or brokers open right away. If it is getting no showings, you might want to do those things to spark some interest. If one particular avenue of advertising doesnt work, you may want to try another, you have to adjust for each house depending on the activity and you don't know this until its actually on the market.

I don't agree with Emma that "it shouldnt be the sellers responsbility to check when flyers are needed".

That is "not" what you are paying a realtor for. You are paying for the marketing, advertising, experience and exposure. I like to feel like I am "in this together" with my sellers. I start each house with 12 flyers. When I see our appointments are getting close to the 12 showings I will bring over some flyers. I've only used the info tube on the outside of one house (at the sellers request), you just never knew when to replenish them because 10 people could take one in one day or they could be sitting there for two weeks. It was helpful that the owner kept me informed when we needed flyers out there. Its as simple as the seller checking the box when they check their mail each day. It sort of reminds me of a guy who called an old office I worked in complaining about his agent. He was upset because the sign in his yard fell down 2 days ago and his agent didnt come and pick it up. Thats ridiculous. Stand up the darn sign. Some sellers almost make it seem like they are challenging their realtors to sell the house rather than making it a partnership to get it sold. You are both working towards the same goal. Good sellers will follow the advice of their realtors, keep their home clean, adjust whatever needs to be adjusted according to the feedback and make their homes as available as humanly possible for showings. When they work together, the house gets sold.

As a seller, if we're in it together, then why I am a paying a person thousands of dollars? I pay that money for the realtor to advise me on my sale price, and then sell my house. IMO if they are doing their job, they will doing everything possible for my home to sell at the price they recommend. Particularly, after I've spent money taking their recommendations on improvements and/or repairs. I want to know exactly what I'm paying for. I want to know the timeline. I want to know specifically what is being done, and how they have proved effective for other sellers.

Basically, I can't act the way that many realtor's do at my job. I am accountable. And as a result, I hold my realtor accountable as well.

I think it's nice if the seller lets the realtor know flyers are gone, but for example I travel a lot for my job, my mail doesn't get checked everyday. I wouldn't be interested in a realtor who doesn't check those things themselves.

Emma1420, who wants to sell your house more? You or your realtor? Do you think you are your realtor's only client? I would hope you would state what you have written above when interviewing a realtor before you sign a contract - mostly so you give them the opportunity to run.

There are indeed realtors used to dealing with high-maintenance clients who expect far more than a traditional scope of work. Hopefully you will be able to locate one when you sell, but expect the commission cost to be a premium.

"I also don't think it should be the sellers responsibility to have to check things like the flyers by the sign. That is what I would paying a realtor for..." @@

Xamsx...it's always the owner.

I realize that I'm not my realtor's only client. However, a good realtor will treat me like I'm the only client. I will do everything that the realtor asks me as far as my home, in response I expect my realtor to do his or her job. I am hiring a realtor for their expertise, from the major marketing plan to the minor details (such as the flyers). I am hiring them, not because I can't sell my house myself, but because I don't have time. What a realtor does isn't rocket science. A great realtor will be creative, and come up with ideas I haven't, will do more than the obvious, and will demonstrate excellence in all aspects of their professional relationship with me.

But, then I also think that having commissions sitting at between 5-8% (in my area) is ridiculous. So for what is potentially 20K, I do expect a lot, and if I had an expensive home? I'd expect even more.

And I'm very upfront about my requirements. I don't want to hire a realtor who doesn't know from the get-go what I expect. I believe that you can treat someone with respect, but be clear about what you expect. And for the same reason I want a realtor to be honest with me about what my house is worth, what I need to change, etc.

Wholeheartedly agree with emma1420. What some realtors seem to think is a partnership is so NOT so. It's MY house that (capital) I maintained, paid for, repaired, etc. You come in and expect $15K AND a partnership from MY asset? Kiss my asset is what I say.

I never heard a plumber say... "here, push on this turd while I watch." I hired him to clear the toilet, and he does what he needs to do. So when I hire a realtor, you need to do what is necessary to sell the house. I see that I need to clear up any mess I make while living in it, but anything else that is a result of the marketing process like running out of flyers, etc, well, that's what the marketer gets paid to do.

More and more, from personal experiences and reading these boards, I am convinced that most realtors have this huge chip on their shoulders, or are too stupid or lazy to do their jobs properly. They come here and defend tenuous positions while blathering about "partnership" and "I work very hard", etc.

Just one voice me, but you so-called professionals are really wearing out your welcome. You jump into every discussion on this forum (yes, I know you were invited into this one by the OP) and present this drivel like it actually makes sense.

No doubt some realtor or other will fire away in response, as a result of spending too much time here rather than being out there selling and (gasp) WORKING. Instead, they expect their CLIENT to be their partner.

Herus:

You come in and expect $15K AND a partnership from MY asset? Kiss my asset is what I say.

We wouldnt have a problem, you obviously can sell your own house and don't need a realtor.

like running out of flyers, etc, well, that's what the marketer gets paid to do.

If its too much for you to let your realtor know you need more flyers, than your idea of what work is shouldnt be a problem for whomever you hire. It shouldnt take much to keep you happy.

More and more, from personal experiences and reading these boards, I am convinced that most realtors have this huge chip on their shoulders, or are too stupid or lazy to do their jobs properly. They come here and defend tenuous positions while blathering about "partnership" and "I work very hard", etc.

I haven't read any posts here from any realtors who sound like they have a chip on their shoulder except for one "ex realtor" who seems to have a huge chip on his. You can name call and insult all you want, I am laughing all the way to the bank. :)

Just one voice me, but you so-called professionals are really wearing out your welcome. You jump into every discussion on this forum (yes, I know you were invited into this one by the OP) and present this drivel like it actually makes sense.

I didnt see anywhere on this site where it said Herus was the welcoming committee or the host. The only thing not making sense here, is "just one voice me".

Now, while you are sitting on your ass reading this response,no doubt home from your 9-5 job, its dinner time in my house and I am on my way out for yet another inspection after hours.

The forum is for ALL to put their thoughts and opinions, if you feel the need to be degrading and insulting, perhaps you are the one who has worn out your welcome?

the language alone indicates a real class act

The "one voice me" is argot. (Feel free to look it up).

So using your own, um, logic, YOU are now the welcoming committee?

And believe me, if you could have my "9-5" job, you would - in a heartbeat. (Feel free to deny it).

Nice demonstration of chip on shoulder, btw.

And finally, what do YOU sit on?

Is there something in the kool aid being passed out in this forum lately? Whether or not people agree with linda117, she is good enough to take time out of her busy schedule to give a perspective of the realtor side of the housing market. This forum can be very anti-realtor, and goodness knows enough realtors have been chased off the Gardenweb Buying and Selling Homes forum over the years, it would be sad to see it happen yet again. While people are certainly entitled to disagree with one another, it may help to remember that there are people behind the posts.

Have to agree, it's been pretty tense here lately... I was wondering if everyone is stressed because nothing is selling...

btw, I find Linda very helpful & enjoy reading her posts. She's not the type of realtor that shoves her job in anyone's face. After all of these months, I'm still not exactly sure who is an agent and who isn't except Linda and a few others. I always find their info helpful...

Last two posters, and all:

I let my frustrations with the realtors I have encountered get the better of me. I don't know Linda and should not have attacked her.

I continue to maintain that it is very hard to find a realtor who can deliver on a level commensurate with their charges.

xamsx: "Whether or not people agree with linda117, she is good enough to take time out of her busy schedule to give a perspective of the realtor side of the housing market."

roselvr: "btw, I find Linda very helpful & enjoy reading her posts."

I often find myself on opposite sides of an issue from Linda, but I, too, agree that she is a welcome contributor to this forum. I think that we are fortunate to have real estate agents such as Linda on line here to provide their insight and opinions on the various issues that are raised.

"I continue to maintain that it is very hard to find a realtor who can deliver on a level commensurate with their charges. '

I think this has to do with individual perceptions of what is a valid charge. I make up to 150 dollars an hour doing something that a certain segment of the population might consider a "fluffy , ridiculous luxury", but my clients (most of whom are by no means rich) see me as priceless and consistently give me referrals saying I'm worth more. The problem with your perception of what a realtor is worth is that much of their work is "invisible" to your eyes
For the record, my current career has nothing to do with real estate

Holy Smokes! I started this thread in hopes of fostering a discussion to help realtors and sellers bridge the gap of what often seems to be mismatched expectations. I think Linda and rrah and the other agents that contribute provide invaluable insights. Do I agree with everything...of course not but the opportunity to learn from them is extraordinary.
I like to think they learn from us too. I like to think that I'm a better client because of them.

As much as I think I'm pretty good at client relations, I could not do what real estate agents do. Can you think of any other business transaction more emotionally charged than buying and selling homes? They deal with people in their most irrational and stubborn moments. When I hear realtor war stories, my head wants to explode. Heck, if my sign blew down, I'd be happy to pound it back into the ground.

In my financial planning years, I learned that money is as much about emotion as logic. Real estate is an emotional minefield. Thanks to the agents that contribute and please, don't get blown up out there!

Wow. People are getting hot here.

FWIW, my agent DID do a timeline. It was an impressive chart thing where she laid out what her responsibilities were and how she would do it and then our responsibilities and how we would accomplish them. Our duties were things like "refinish the floor", "check out replacing counter" and such. Her responsibilities were things like "contact so-and-so", "put advertisement in ----" and such. So our job was to make the house attractive and her job was to make sure people knew about the house.

We talked every day and met briefly every week. Then at three weeks, we had a longer meeting to again go over what we could do to get the house sold. I DID feel like I was the only client. So, did I resent paying my agent $10K (assuming she gave the other $10K to the buyers agent) - heck no. She definitely earned it.

By the way, she had been a rocket scientist (worked at NASA) but quit to become a realtor.

I have to say, I love my real estate agent. Our house is still for sale, but we found our dream house before we put ours on the market. She went out of her way to find us the best agent in the new house area to represent us who we immediately took a liking to and has worked herself to death to make the new house deal go through and be ready.

Our agent locally even goes so far as to secure a domain name for every clients house and create the house its own website that goes to the new owners. She markets everywhere on the Internet, we have her cell phone that she answers personally anytime of the day. If she can't talk, she'll tell you that and calls you back soon after.

She came out initially and we asked for an honest appraisal of what needed doing before going up for sale and we did almost everything she brought up.

We didn't sign a thing till the day the house went on the market and she never asked us to. She's special and I wish every agent was as professional, warm and delightful.

We've had the rudest agents come through showing the house that didn't even have the courtesy to leave a card, give any feedback, give even a 20 minute notice so we could get out of the house but just knock on the door and ask us if they could show the house. Those are the people that shouldn't be in the business.

So, like any other industry, you have the good the bad and the just plain ugly.

Here's the website she made for our simple suburban house.

Here is a link that might be useful: 780 Windemere Lane House

We've had the rudest agents come through showing the house that didn't even have the courtesy to leave a card, give any feedback, give even a 20 minute notice so we could get out of the house but just knock on the door and ask us if they could show the house. Those are the people that shouldn't be in the business.

Those are pretty strong words. First of all, in some places, leaving a card is considered rude and offensive to the agent who is selling the house.

Sometimes an agent will have a client in their car, pass your house and the client says, oh I like that, could we see it? Perhaps the office was closed and they couldnt call to get the appointment. If that agent knocked on your door and that was the buyer that bought your house, would you still think it was rude? They are trying to sell your house, if you thought it was rude, just say "no".

This has happened several times to me, sometimes people say the house is a mess, its really not a good time, sometimes they are happy to have the showing. The people that shouldnt be in the business are the dishonest and the unethical, not the person who is trying to show a house.

I think this miserable bear market we are heading into is a good thing. I find that the more I peruse the web I find a lot of realestate agents touting how their job is irreplacable. Well, we shall see. When the market starts to turn sour, the good ones will prevail no doubt, the others who have seemed to have gotten into the market because they couldn't find any other job will, well, be unemployed.

The thing about GW is that the experts we have here on the board represent a small few (maybe like 1%) of realtors. These guys are pros, they like their jobs, so much infact the spend their free time on the internet talking about it. Every expert is a geek about their profession.

However, there are more bad apples than good in the real estate game. In example, my first realtor: a total snake, and she BARELY sold my house. I like to think (or infact I know ) I sold my house. I was the one on the phone every two hours with the buyers agent and he faxed the papers to me instead of her.

So there are good and bad ones. The lesson I learned was next time I need to use a realtor I will GRILL them in the interview process. Afterall, I am hiring and employee, not the other way around.

When the market starts to turn sour, the good ones will prevail no doubt, the others who have seemed to have gotten into the market because they couldn't find any other job will, well, be unemployed

Miac, this has been going on for years. Always during a sellers market the amount of people taking the courses and test spike. The minute the market changes and even before that, they are gone. There are alot of highly educated people who get their licenses to quit their rat race job hoping for a better quality of life. For a few it works. Our MLS office told me that last year 275 new agents joined the MLS. This year 23 of those agents are still in the MLS system. WOW ! Most people don't realize (in my area at least anyway)if you sell a house on day 1 (Highly unlikely), you're still not getting paid for at least 2 months.

I believe the statistics are something like 87% of agents don't make it 5 years in the business. Funny thing is, I said this to a mason working on my house one time, and he laughed, he said, 95% of contractors doing my job don' t make it 5 minutes in the business. I had to laugh and thought, you know, you're probably right, you couldnt pay me enough to do that kind of work.

herus, I agree with you completely and appreciate your honest frank coments.

We fired our realtor after 6 weeks since we had only had 2 showings and he never showed our house at all!

I think all he does is list houses and then sit back and let someone else sell them. Then he gets his 3% without doing much of anything.

Our realtor never told us what he was doing to sell the house, if anything. The only contact we had was when we contacted him. He never told us anything about marketing he was doing, so maybe he never did any?

I am beginning to think realtors are just recyled used car salesmen?

Maggiemaye, I have to ask, did you go over each agent's marketing plan while interviewing them? Did the agent you mention not do as he/she had promised?

Please don't take the rest of this e-mail as personally pointed at you, it is not, your particular comment (recycled used car salesmen) is just the one that "struck a nerve". I'm sorry that you had such a negative experience, with both realtors and used car salesmen.

What I feel needs to be said is that so many of the complaints I read on this forum are, imho, due to a lack of due diligence on behalf of the seller. It is your home, your money, and thankfully your decision as to whom you hire, if anyone at all. Please be sure to thoroughly interview your prospective realtor, be clear on what they will do, and what you expect, and perhaps you will have a positive experience in the future.

My sincerest advice is that anyone interested in selling ask those they know & trust for a referral to an agent with whom they've had a good experience. In turn, my sincerest hope is that those who have good experiences with their realtor will in turn refer them to others.

I swear, people put more time into researching a new hairdresser than an agent to sell their home, and then paint all agents with the same negative brush,

Nat (Asst. to a wonderful agent)

acoreana,
I totally agree that when one is signing on with an agent they need to be diligent about hearing the agent's plan of action, and the seller also needs to make himself aware of the market around him and do what he can to be flexible and consider the advice of a professional-- otherwise, don't hire a realtor, right?

Unfortunately, I don't think realtors will often say, "I plan to do this, and this. And later on when you have sold your house and need to start looking for a new house right away I might be on a 10-day vacation, in which case I will forbid you to look at homes with another agent from my brokerage because I will not share my commission." Right? The tricky part is that problems with realtors--just like problems that come up between many individuals-- just don't come up in the beginning! We all just have to hope for the best and sometimes the partnership works out and sometimes it doesn't. It's just that when it's not working one feels that your entire future is in your realtor's hands, and things can get dramatic indeed! No point writing off realtors, though, but definitely ask every friend you've got who they recommend and if your realtor does you right, spread the word!

Jane

It is not surprising to me that the same individuals on this board, provoke and attack REALTORS who give their professional experience and opinion for the general benefit of all posters.
Based on some of their statements, I can see a lack of experience in dealing with REALTORS and the frustrations associated in buying and selling real estate. The lack of due diligence on their part is quite apparent, based on their statements and observations, in addition itÂs also an indication of the agents lack of educating their client about the real estate process and expectations.

I provide a marketing plan without a timeline, because itÂs not like a pert chart doing a construction project.
My timeline is sequential, from day one to closing, however, as the timeframe extends, different actions will be talked about at different milestones. Market conditions can change, competing listings might pop up, sellerÂs motivations might change, all these things will be addressed at the appropriate timelines.
To disregard the fact that the seller and agent are a team, striving for the best outcome desired, by first the seller, second the agent, is counterproductive and usually results in a failed relationship.

Linda711, I completely agree, and you say it so well.

I agree that there seems to be some sort of friction appearing in the relationship between seller and realtor. It seems so strange to me - both parties should be working towards a common goal.

It may not be rocket science selling someone's home - but it is a job where you get to deal with people who are going through one of the most stressful experiences in life. If I can make that process as painless as possible, then that's fantastic. I make good money doing it and it's worth it to me, despite the fact that it's a 7 day a week commitment.

Herus, why would you assume that a realtor would want your job? That's quite a statement you are making there.