Why would a realtor not call back? (relocating, real estate)

[AnyDayNow]

Obviously this isn't a realtor that we will be using, but I am curious to know if anyone can think of a reason: why would a realtor that you have called about one of their listings not even bother calling back about it?

We saw two properties on-line that we wanted to see. We called the listing agent for one of them and left a message that we would like to see one of that agent's listings. That agent has never called back. It's been going on two weeks so I would be more surprised if they bothered to call now.

Normally I would say, "Maybe that property sold" or "Maybe the agent doesn't have the listing anymore"--except that we didn't say which of the agent's listed properties we wanted to see.

If it were my property that was listed and the listing realtor was blowing off calls about it, I would be upset.

[rlj_hsy]

This has been coming a real big problem these days. I had the same problem with my listing agent. Luckily, the couple who was trying to see my property happened to pass by my house again while I was mowing the lawn. They stopped by and advised me that they were trying to set up an appointment with my listing agent for over a week.
I immediately called my agent to determine the problem. Come to find out my agent has been working two additional jobs because she has not received a commission in over three months. She has been attempting to supplement the lost income and this has affected her ability to return calls and sell houses. Homes are not selling as fast, or as much, as they were before. Although Alabama has not been hit as hard as the larger cities, it is affecting people's buying habits here. In turn, some realtors are feeling the effects in their pockets and are forcing them to seek additional work. It goes without saying that I will be changing realtors once my mandate with her is up.

[harry chickpea]

rij_hsy, your agent is already in breach of contract by not acting in good faith. Dump her immediately and report her. A lot of people got into selling homes during the peak times. Some of those never should have been in the business in the first place, and you'll do everyone a favor by cleaning the industry of the deadwood.

AnyDayNow, leave a note at the properties describing your experience. A realtor may ask that a buyer pre-qualify prior to showing a home, but again, not returning phone calls is a breach of contract.

[AnyDayNow]

rlj_hsy, are you thinking that you can't change realtors until your listing agreement term has expired? You can. She'll still be due commission if anyone who saw the house while she was the listing agent purchases your house, of course. While I understand that she may have competing demands on her time, the listing agent still has a duty to you. She isn't fulfilling that duty. There are good realtors out there, I hope you can find one.

[AnyDayNow]

Harry, our posts crossed, I like the way you phrased it better! I'm still new and trying to find that line between tact and brutal honesty, as the written word doesn't show what my demeanor does. (I "shoot straight" verbally, which can come across harshly on a computer screen.)

[harry chickpea]

LOL! This morning seems to be my morning for brutal honesty, and I'm not sure how tactful I've been with it. I hope that people can be a little more tactful with me than I am with them at some points.

[NicoleC]

ADN, I've been querying from the MLS so I can do drive-bys and look at neighborhoods. We are literally talking about no work other than checking their email account and hitting a couple of buttons to email me the full listing, and yet at least half the agents haven't responded. Of course, I don't tell them I just want the address to do a drive-by; for all they know I could have cash in hand. It's dreadful for their clients but good for me... I'm keeping notes on which agents I won't talk to when I pick a buyers agent.

Unfortunately, for every agent out there that is a dedicated professional that earns every penny of their commission, there are 10 idiots that got into real estate because they thought it was an easy way to make lots of money part time with no qualifications.

[LinusK]

Some agents believe showing houses is the buyer's agent's job. Therefore if you ask them to see one of their listings, they think you're trying to get them to do somebody else's work.

[AnyDayNow]

NicoleC, that is surprising that at least half don't respond. Especially in today's market.

LinusK, I had not thougth of that possibility. I had thought that the listing agent might be more interested in not splitting the commission with another agent. There's another question that someone should ask a realtor they are interviewing, because that kind of attitude would not be a realtor I'd want to use.

[AnotherBravesFan]

I'm relocating from out of state, so it is frustrating when listing agents don't return my requests for info. I can't just drive the neighborhood to check out the location or orientation of the house. It's to the point where I am almost crossing off homes to visit because of the lack of response from the agents. I'm sure that the sellers wouldn't be happy to know this...but I don't want to do business with an agent who is too busy to email me the full listing.