Found this gem today while perusing Gilbert real estate listings…
Square Footage: left blank
Photos: 1 (our MLS allows 6)
Directions: "Turn right on Cottonwood" (actually, it's a left)
2007 taxes are shown at $950. Seemed a little high to me, so I looked them up. He meant $725, not $950. Probably just a typo.
From the Public Comments:
"Great handy man deal to create value with park in the back yard of the houses." (there is a park behind the home, but it's not really in the back yard).
"This home needs a females touch to make it better." (scintillating marketing copy to which I have…uh…no comment…)
"LOX BOX is on side fence" (does it include a bagel and cream cheese too?)
Now this is really scary. Remember, we are still in the PUBLIC remarks — meaning ANYONE can see this….
"code is xxxx has two sets of keys one for xxxx and one for xxxx grab the right keys!!" (The actual code and addresses are in the remarks. I xxx'ed them out here.)
So Mr. Agent has just made the lock box code available to anyone who'd like to get the keys to not one, but two homes….
And finally, in the Realtor remarks we're left with this nugget:
"4% commision (sic) and additional $1000 if close in 30days of listing!!!!!". And you guessed it, the home has been listed for 107 days….
And we wonder why the public perception of real estate agents is not-so-swift?
Edited to add: Real estate sellers take note! You should ask demand that your agent show you what they've entered into the MLS. We actually work with our sellers on listing content and have them approve everything in the listing. Seems like it would be safe to assume every agent does this–but apparently not. One of your agents primary jobs is educating you on the process of buying or selling real estate. If they aren't, consider alternatives….
Technorati Tags: totally inept professionals that give all other agents a bad rap
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Doug 09.09.07 at 7:17 pm
Great post. Just goes to show, there are villages missing their…
John L. Wake - Realtor 09.09.07 at 9:08 pm
Does this justify a poor public perception of real estate agents or more the importance of hiring an good Realtor?
And perhaps, the importance of not hiring a cheap real estate agent.
Alan Bradford 09.10.07 at 7:36 am
Holy Crap Jay. You really did stumble upon a beauty. This is what I like to call (at the risk of offending real-life handicapped individuals) A Retarded Realtor.
I’m guessing that whoever set up this listing is also guilty of the following:
Forwards “hilarious” emails to their entire address book
Still hasn’t made the switch to eFax
Doesn’t use Electronic Bill-Pay
Wears lots of gold jewelry
Has an obnoxious business card with a full-color GlamorShot circa 1983
Possibly wears a toupee/wig
Thanks for the laugh this morning.
Richard 09.10.07 at 10:21 am
Thats just great, Im sure the sellers would love to know how great their listing agent is.
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 09.10.07 at 11:38 am
John makes a good point (and pretty much seconded by others) — it’s *really* important to hire a good agent. The problem of course, is much of the public doesn’t really understand what qualifies as “good”. The listing agent that put this dreck in the MLS may be the nicest guy on the planet. He may be a superior negotiator. Or he may be cousin Sally’s best friends husband. Who knows. One thing is certain, he didn’t do the best job with the MLS entry, which leads one to assume any other aspect of what he should be doing is questionable at best.
If the seller has no idea to *ask* to see the listing copy, then they have no idea what is out there (and clearly, Mr. Listing Agent didn’t offer to SHOW them the MLS entry).
That’s why educating the public on ALL ASPECTS of the real estate transaction, and what agents should be doing is important.
Athol Kay 09.10.07 at 5:15 pm
$10 says the seller in question doesn’t even have an email account anywhere.
John L. Wake - Realtor 09.10.07 at 6:04 pm
The seller… or the lister?
Barry Cox 09.12.07 at 8:50 am
I love those type of agents when I go on a listing appointment after the listing has cancelled / expired . It sure does make my job a lot easier.
Nothing better than showing the seller how his property was portrayed on the MLS by the “other agent,” who tried to sell his house.
Sandy 09.12.07 at 8:50 pm
Ugh. That is just so embarrassing.
Las Vegas Guy 09.14.07 at 11:30 am
Holy ****. That is pathetic. I wonder how many fines he racked up in that one listing. At least two I can see right off the bat. I’m sure I’d find more if I looked at it again.