The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is likely the first place the vast majority of agents and buyers go to look for homes for sale.
As such, it’s important that the agent put good, compelling copy into the MLS that describes the home. I use the term “copy” lightly as our MLS only affords about 3 lines of text. None-the-less, it’s important to utilize those three lines as fully as possible.
Sometimes, one can learn more from a bad example than a good one. Agents, please don’t do this. Sellers, you need to be asking your agent to see the entire MLS submission for your home. Be sure to ask to see the Realtor’s remarks as well as the public remarks.
Below are some tidbits I copied directly out of the Arizona Regional MLS today. I call them, “Lessons in How Not to Sell Your Phoenix Home”:
- Seller will remove all the unregistered autos parked in the rear yard.
Note: consider removing the junkyard before listing the home. - NO WEEKEND SHOWINGS! SHOW M – Th 9:00 – 2:00, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
Note: Having a 5 hour window to show, and excluding weekends (and apparently Fridays) isn’t very helpful to people who want to see your home. - GREAT LOCATON! CURD SIDE APEAL!
Note: Spelling does count. Bonus points for tricky words like “curb”. - Please call listing agent prior to show, large dog on property bites hard. DO NOT let children near it!
Note: Large, biting dogs that eat children are not inviting to most people who want to see your home. - OWNER WILL CLEAN UP EVERYTHING AND PAINT WITH ACCEPTED OFFER.
Note: Uhm, try cleaning up and painting… now? - Call owner 2 show. Wife usually home alone from 8am – 6pm.
Note: This was in the public remarks. Might as well add, “Be sure to leave the window unlocked for the area rapist”. - True gem! Immaculate condition! <<blah blah blah>> Roof needs repair.
Note: Gem + immaculate + bad roof = does not compute. - PLEASE DON’T TAKE BUYERS INTO GARAGE UNTIL WALLS AND ROOF ARE FIXED!!
Note: I … don’t … know … what … to … say … - This seller is *desperate*. He’s ready to give this house away.
Note: Look up “fiduciary responsibility” before you give away your seller’s negotiation position. - SFH 4br3ba 2CG Cen AC/HT. IG SW PT Pool. 2sty, mbr ds. WDR stay. RV PKG
Note: Please leave secret decoder ring in lockbox.
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[tags] MLS, silly real estate agents[/tags]
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i just peed a little
And they think licensing loan officers will improve the mortgage industry. I too urinated while reading especially #4!
Good fun.
Cheers,
Bryant
Jay, I like the new look of your site (speaking of sites, can we talk a little about mine sometime soon
This post was a gem and you should get together with Athol and run in tandem with this stuff.
Howard – I’m so sorry, it’s been crazy lately. I am working on it, I promise! Call me tomorrow?
Jay, don’t worry about it, I followed your adventures in NYC. I just need a little help with the sidebar, otherwise everything is great, see my old emails. I’ll give you a call either tomorrow or Wednesday. Thanks and best, Howard
And I really do like the new look of your site so obviously Wordpress has been very good to you.
Great post.
“NO WEEKEND SHOWINGS! SHOW M – Th 9:00 – 2:00, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!”
My first impression is the seller is not at all motivated, the house is way over-priced and this uncooperative seller would be a complete PITA if any buyer’s agent was unfortunate enough to end up in escrow with him. Oh, and after a lot of drama, the deal wouldn’t close.
Unfortunately, this is all to common in our industry.
Oh my goodness #6.
I’d go crazy about that one.
I think I decoded #10, except I can not get “IG SW PT Pool”
Maybe In Ground, Salt Water, Pebble Tech pool?
Athol – I called the agent on #6. Her response? “Oh, thought I put that in the Realtor remarks” (where the general public can’t see them).
My response?
There are sick, perverted Realtors too…
I know you can go on and on about this. The reactions I get from clients when they see the remarks is unreal. Some homes don’t have pictures. Some that do are either crooked, poor quality or all driveway. Great post!
My husband and I were in exactly the same position a year ago and through networking with others we found an awesome real estate agent who sold our home in under 2 months which is unbelievable in todays market (in Phoenix). We then had him register on NewAgentFinder.com so we could recommend him to others. It’s free too which is nice.