Do we want to stay relevent in this business?
We've had an interesting week. Lots of showings. Phone is ringing. Wrote several offers.
The Real Estate Market in Tooele, Stansbury Park and Grantsville UT appears to be picking up.
Legislature hasn't destroyed us yet. All is right with the world, right?
Maybe, and yet maybe not in the long view.
We had a client this week, a buyer that wanted to see several Tooele County homes that were listed on the MLS.
On one of the listings, I had to spend 15 minutes on the phone registering with a "showing coordinator" employed by the listing brokerage to verify I was actually an agent that should have access to the home and to schedule the appointment.
After the showing, I was contacted by a second company wanting feedback on the listing regarding pricing, condition, suggestions on how it might show better or sell faster.
The only contact I had with the actual listing agent was a call I received an hour later asking me if I'd had trouble getting into the home. You see, she had hired a service to install the keybox on the listed property, which is better than 50 miles from her office. She didn't have time to come out to Tooele herself.
I did tell her that there was no sign on the property, and she indicated that she'd call the "sign guy" and thanks for the info.
So, what does this mean? Well, obviously she's WAY busier than I am.
She has to call all these people she's hired to do her job!
Heaven forbid if this showing had been after 5 or on a weekend, because the service is only available during these hours. What if I'd had a problem getting into the home ?
We've spent the last few years worrying about keeping banks out of Real Estate. It seems like we have spent as much time figuring out how to keep ourselves out of Real Estate as well.
I'm wondering how long it will be before John Q. Public figures out that they can make those same calls?
My second "vent" came from that same day.
We had attempted to call another agent several times to schedule a showing on another property on the outskirts of Tooele City. Her voicemail box was full, so I couldn't even leave a message.
After 2 days of this, I finally called her Broker, who recommended that I text her, as this "happens alot". Don't get me started on the Broker.
So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 2 more days of texting and waiting.
I get an answer back saying to go ahead and show the 2 homes at the desired times. Imagine my surprise when we get to BOTH showings to find that neither seller was contacted regarding our showings, and apparently according to one seller, this happens a lot too !!
Again, I ask, how long before the public figures out that it might be easier, cheaper, and more "professional" to simply call someone else?
If and when that happens, it appears we'll have no one to blame but ourselves.
Anybody remember the number for that truck driving school?