In the high-stakes world of real estate, communication is king. Yet, some agents seem to operate as if they’re on a permanent vacation, never answering phone calls, text messages, or emails. How are they even in business? Do they treat their customers the same way? You have to wonder. Let’s dive into the baffling behaviors of these elusive agents and the frustration they cause.
1. The Phantom Agent: Communication Blackout
Imagine this: You’re trying to get in touch with an agent for a showing request. You call, you text, you email. Crickets. It’s like they’ve vanished into thin air.
- The Unanswered Calls: Your phone calls go straight to voicemail, and no one ever calls back. It’s like trying to contact a secret agent, not a real estate agent.
- The Ignored Texts: Your messages sit unread, as if they’ve been sent into the void.
- The Forgotten Emails: Your emails languish in their inbox, gathering digital dust.
According to our code of ethics, you should be responding to showing requests within 24 hours. I shouldn’t have to chase you down like a bounty hunter. If you’re too busy to respond, maybe it’s time to reconsider your career.
2. The Status Quo Keeper: Inaccurate Listings
Then there are the agents who can’t be bothered to update their listing statuses. Is the property still available? Has it gone under contract? Are we supposed to be psychic?
- The Perpetual “Active” Listing: Properties that have been sold or rented out but still show as active. It’s misleading and wastes everyone’s time.
- The Missing Updates: Critical changes to the property status that never get reflected in the listing. Buyers and other agents are left in the dark.
An accurate listing status is crucial. If you can’t keep your listings updated, you’re failing at one of the most basic tasks of your job.
3. The Misclassification Maestro: Townhouses vs. Single-Family Homes
And let’s not forget the agents who seem to have skipped Real Estate 101. They can’t tell the difference between a townhouse and a single-family home. Really? It’s attached. Key indicator.
- The Misclassified Townhouse: Labeling a townhouse as a single-family home because, why not? It’s attached, folks. That’s a dead giveaway.
- The Confused Listings: Misclassifying properties leads to confusion for buyers and frustration for agents. Buyers expecting one type of property find something entirely different.
Understanding the basic property types is fundamental. If you can’t get that right, what else are you missing?
Conclusion
Real estate is a business built on trust, communication, and accuracy. Agents who fail to respond to inquiries, update their listings, or correctly classify properties are doing a disservice to everyone involved. It’s time to step up and fulfill your responsibilities.
PS. Agents, answer your phone calls, texts, and emails. Update your listings accurately. Know the difference between property types. It’s not just about doing your job; it’s about doing it well and maintaining the trust and respect of your customers and colleagues.