I've written before about Realtors that don't return phone calls in a timely manner, if at all. Ran into another one this week.
Describes herself as "old school". Won't do offers by fax (which is fine with me as I trust just about no-one these days what with phantom offers being rampant - so I like meeting personally), won't take phone calls during dinner hour, doesn't work weekends (?!) etc.
Apparently she doesn't like returning phone calls either. I showed her listing and my client wants to put in an offer. Had her paged, message being that I had an offer for her, and left a message for her on her cellphone, with the same message and asking when we could get together to present the offer.
It's been well over a day and I still haven't heard from her.
Yes sirree, she's got her clients best interests in mind.
In her defence though, it's not just Realtors that are doing this. When did people just decide to stop returning phone calls? I referred a client to a number of roofing companies. The client is willing to spend over $10,000 for new windows but do you think anyone from one particular roofing company will return a phone call? Thats a $10,000 sale lost to them. I guess business is so good they don't need it.
Incidentally, regarding "phantom offers"...
Our illustrious Toronto Real Estate Board President is on the record saying that the whole multiple offer situation is transparent and that so-called phantom offers aren't an issue.
Don't believe it for a second. I don't know where she's been working but she's out to lunch on this one.
If you are a Buyer and you are going into a multiple offer situation - instruct your Realtor that you want him to present personally, and to take note of how many other Agents are there and confirm with the listing agent how many offers are registered. Also, if offers are being faxed, that you want an acknowledgement that your offer was received (theres a form for this)
In the long run, I suppose it will always be possible for a less than honest Listing Agent to say that "I'm getting another offer by fax" when there is infact, no offer coming. All to create the impression that there are people clamouring to purchase the property.
Even more important is to approach the purchase with a clear figure as to your max, and realizing that there is more than one property out there. With all the problems in the States (foreclosures) the last thing you want to do right now is pay more than you should for something.
