Realtors not returning my calls to show properties

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Realtors not returning my calls to show properties

Kellie McRae
Real Estate Consultant · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 12 posts · 5 votes

What do you all recommend I do in this situation. I have a buyer that wants to look at several properties, I've left 2 to 3 voicemails for the listing agents and even sent emails. They specify in the listings that these homes are on combination lockboxes and to phone them for the combos. However, they are not responding to any contacts made. My buyer has taken long enough to decide on these homes & now I can't get him in to see them. Any suggestions? I've phoned their offices & one has a recording that says contact the Realtor directly & the others office appears to be a 1 man show run by the Realtor who isn't returning my calls. :roll:

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Bill Gulley
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
15y

I assume you are an agent. Call the broker and raise Kane. If you can't get through, tell your broker and follow that lead.

I would be calling the MLS office in a couple of days if my call was not returned and file a complaint.

Small shops list them, but ignore calls if they have what they think might be a buyer, very unprofesional and such conduct is not in the public good!

If no help from your broker, and it's a call/lock box, you called, if no answer, go to the home. If the home owner is there, tell them you can't get the listing agent to return your calls and that you have someone who would like to see the property!

If it's an appointment only, and your calls are not returned, I'd go alone to the house, knock on the door and make the appointment to show.

When I had to do such things I would always have to remember that the seller could very well be related to the jerk listing agent and that's why the listing agent is doing such a poor job, because they just can't lose the listing! Never complain about another agent with a client, ethics, but if they open the door to your opinion, you might carefully explain how things are suppose to work on the MLS. Good luck...Bill

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  • Bill Gulley
    Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    15y

    I assume you are an agent. Call the broker and raise Kane. If you can't get through, tell your broker and follow that lead.

    I would be calling the MLS office in a couple of days if my call was not returned and file a complaint.

    Small shops list them, but ignore calls if they have what they think might be a buyer, very unprofesional and such conduct is not in the public good!

    If no help from your broker, and it's a call/lock box, you called, if no answer, go to the home. If the home owner is there, tell them you can't get the listing agent to return your calls and that you have someone who would like to see the property!

    If it's an appointment only, and your calls are not returned, I'd go alone to the house, knock on the door and make the appointment to show.

    When I had to do such things I would always have to remember that the seller could very well be related to the jerk listing agent and that's why the listing agent is doing such a poor job, because they just can't lose the listing! Never complain about another agent with a client, ethics, but if they open the door to your opinion, you might carefully explain how things are suppose to work on the MLS. Good luck...Bill

    4Reply
  • Ali Samana
    Real Estate Investor · Frisco, TX, TX · Member since 2010 · 388 posts · 138 votes
    15y

    I would contact the broker and talk with him. You might be out of luck if that realtor is also the broker.

    0Reply
  • Kellie McRae
    OP
    Real Estate Consultant · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 12 posts · 5 votes
    15y

    In case #2 where the office is the contact of the Realtor, they are one & the same. I'm figuring the other person must be a member of BP because just after I posted my question & it hit Facebook, I got a return call. You guys are awesome,thanks for the advice. I've spent 10 yrs as an appraiser, new as an agent & I can't believe they will return calls to get value but not to get a buyer.

    1Reply
  • Jimmy C.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Seminole, FL · Member since 2010 · 859 posts · 316 votes
    15y

    I have been there before (last week)

    Some of the listing agents I have found are too busy. Of course I am not an agent, and its worse trying to get a call back if you want to buy direct.

    I did have some success asking for an assistant or another agent in the office to get back to me regarding that listing.

    0Reply
  • Kellie McRae
    OP
    Real Estate Consultant · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 12 posts · 5 votes
    15y

    Jimmy, that's too bad. When an agent says they are too busy, to me that translates to I really don't want to make money or do what the owner has asked me to do which is sell the home. Second agent just responded to me with something similar. My response was a nicer version of this: I appreciate you for getting back to me, I will let my pre-approved buyer who is approved for more than the purchase price know that this home is not available for viewing & if after seeing all the others we have on our list, he should decide he wants to see it, we will then contact you again to see if you or someone in your office can find time to show it. Turns out it does not have a combo lockbox on it as listed.

    I love being busy but my standard is, if I can't open it on the day you're requesting, will this day at these 2 times work for you instead? I love feeding my family, I'm going to find time to sell your home.

    0Reply
  • Jimmy C.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Seminole, FL · Member since 2010 · 859 posts · 316 votes
    15y

    I agree with your analysis and was baffled by the lack of follow up myself.

    The listing agents i am trying to reach are the ones with reo properties listed. Is that the same with you?

    0Reply
  • Tamara Elliott-Deering
    Real Estate Agent · Cedar Creek, TX · Member since 2010 · 161 posts · 63 votes
    15y

    I'm a Realtor as well and I hate it when another Realtor won't get back to me. I usually have that problem on REO properties or foreclosed properties when the property has gone into multiple offers and the agent doesn't care enough to let you know. I wish there was a status for that in MLS because the properties show as active when really there not. It doesn't make the buyers real happy either.

    Tamara

    1Reply
  • Kellie McRae
    OP
    Real Estate Consultant · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 12 posts · 5 votes
    15y

    No, this particular home is a short sale. I think the issue is many agents in my area have gone part time. They can't show houses because they are working a day job. This agent never even offered to show it at a date/time more convenient for her although I offered that as an option. Since I will be in the neighborhood tomorrow, I plan on leaving a business card on the door & I will be letting the owners know that we would like to see it (as suggested by Financexaminer). This agent may have thrown in the towel on earning her commission but I haven't.

    0Reply
  • Andrew Evans
    Bittern, victoria · Member since 2010 · 59 posts · 25 votes
    15y

    Slightly off topic Kellie but i am an investor from Australia and i am looking to buy rental properties in the USA.
    I have the same issues getting agents to talk to me or to look at a property to give me a report.
    Do you have any cheap properties in your area that would make a solid rental return?
    I have been looking in Atlanta Alabama and Las Vegas and Hollywood.
    I intend to build a large portfolio so agents i can trust and rely on is more important than location.

    regards andrew from oz

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    15y

    Kellie,

    Why are you mentioning that the listing broker/agent shows it??

    If you are a licensed buyers agent then YOU should be showing the property and earning your side of the commission.Especially if it's a short sale you should find out before showing where the property is at in the short sale process.

    If it's a listing broker/agent who hasn't completed the necessary paperwork or explained the process to the owners the ship is already way off course.

    In my MLS broker put in their if the listing broker shows the buyers broker gets 1 PERCENT.

    This eliminates many lazy buyer agents trying to pawn off showing on the listing broker.If the listing broker has to show the property and sell the buyer on the property then the buyers broker shouldn't get all of their side.

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    0Reply
  • Tim Booz
    Specialist · Parsippany NJ · Member since 2010 · 128 posts · 47 votes
    15y

    Hey Joel ---Is the buyers agent pawning their client off on the listing agent a common issue? I've never experienced it in my area.

    0Reply
  • Kellie McRae
    OP
    Real Estate Consultant · Tampa, FL · Member since 2009 · 12 posts · 5 votes
    15y

    @Joel, I'm not sure what you read but my issue was not that I wanted the listing agent or broker to show the home. My issue was, as I stated, that they say call for the combo so that I could access the key to access the home. If they are so special that they can't be bothered to return a call so that I have the ability to show the homes they have listed, then who is being lazy? All they have to do is dial my number & tell me the combination. I appreciate your response & I find it funny that you were the only one to misunderstand me and imply that I was lazy. I can guarantee you that I don't expect anyone to do my job & if I could access the home without them, it would be done but clearly they are independently wealthy and don't have a desire to earn their commission.

    @Andrew, there are so many properties here that will give you a great return on your investment if you are looking to hold. Many of the homes that you'd want to try to flip are in pretty bad shape & would require a certain amount of rehab. The ones that are generally in good shape are being snatched up quickly. I'd be more than happy to help you find something that works for you if you let me know what specifics you are interested in.

    0Reply
  • Jake Kucheck
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Costa Mesa, CA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 380 votes
    15y

    Kellie-

    I've run across this issue before, and generally (as has been mentioned) this is a symptom of REO brokers who are far too busy. However, since they are so busy, they often use the same combos on all their lockboxes. So if you need a combo, you just have to know who has the listing, and more than likely you can get in even if they don't return calls.

    If you haven't shown their properties before, call on one of their listings with a high DOM, and you'll probably get a call back. Then follow it up with an "oh, btw, I have a client interested in 123 Main (the original property you wanted to show), do you have the combo for that too?"

    Yeah, it is somewhat disingenuous, but it gets the job done and allows you to combat their laziness.

    3Reply
  • Jimmy C.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Seminole, FL · Member since 2010 · 859 posts · 316 votes
    15y

    Man those REO listing agents are sitting pretty arent they?

    The title companies that get REO and short sale biz from the banks are too!

    I guess if you have tons of business falling into your lap, your motivation diminishes.

    0Reply
  • Jared Christiansen
    Fort Wayne, IN · Member since 2011 · 1 post · 0 votes
    15y

    I don't understand why an agent wouldn't return your calls. If somebody wants to see my listings your darn right I am going to let them in.

    0Reply
  • Bob Sense
    Investor · Fairfield, CA · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
    10y

    Call the DRE (Department of Real Estate) and file a complaint with their investigating teams. A great way to lose their licenses for unethical behavior. 

    0Reply
  • Steve Haight
    Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 732 posts · 137 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Andrew Evans:

    Slightly off topic Kellie but i am an investor from Australia and i am looking to buy rental properties in the USA.
    I have the same issues getting agents to talk to me or to look at a property to give me a report.
    Do you have any cheap properties in your area that would make a solid rental return?
    I have been looking in Atlanta Alabama and Las Vegas and Hollywood.
    I intend to build a large portfolio so agents i can trust and rely on is more important than location.

    regards andrew from oz

    0Reply
  • Steve Haight
    Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2014 · 732 posts · 137 votes
    10y

    hello mate Steve here nice to meet you just wondering if you're still actively looking for properties in the US do you or have you done anything in Arizona how much time do you spend in the US seems like there's a lot of Ozzie's investing in the US why is this

    0Reply
  • Federico Gutierrez
    Realtor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 857 votes
    10y

    Plenty of Aussies investing in USA because the price point is lot lower the exchange rate is what is killing everyone thou.

    As an Australian I fully understand, I have properties in Aus that I bought, for the same value I can buy 4-5 cleveland properties or an 6unit apartment building

    0Reply
  • Andrew Evans
    Bittern, victoria · Member since 2010 · 59 posts · 25 votes
    10y

    Yes i bought 5 or so properties at a better exchange rate. However its been a fairly unpleasant experience with the people im trusting to look after me taking advantage because im in australia. People i met on this site as well took advantage. 

    Trust in the people doing the work and running things is everything. 

    Also the rental situation is up and down and the returns are nothing like the glorious returns projected. The benefit has been the improvement in values coupled with the drop in the value of the Aussie dollar. a property i bought for $100,000 aud is now worth $135,000 aud without its USD value even changing. add 20% growth and its $160,000.  

    cheers andrew

    0Reply
  • Jay Rogers
    Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2015 · 30 posts · 7 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Kellie McRae:

    What do you all recommend I do in this situation. I have a buyer that wants to look at several properties, I've left 2 to 3 voicemails for the listing agents and even sent emails. They specify in the listings that these homes are on combination lockboxes and to phone them for the combos. However, they are not responding to any contacts made. My buyer has taken long enough to decide on these homes & now I can't get him in to see them. Any suggestions? I've phoned their offices & one has a recording that says contact the Realtor directly & the others office appears to be a 1 man show run by the Realtor who isn't returning my calls. :roll:

    You should file a complain against them. There might be any reason for not answering the call like any emergency, but still you should file a complain.

    If the relator have genuine reasons he will have a green flag else his unethical behavior will cost him.

    Mean while you can directly contact the home buyer and request for a tour of property for your clients. I know it will sound unprofessional, but dear you don't have any other options.

    0Reply
  • Jeff Morelock
    Rental Property Investor · Marianna Florida · Member since 2011 · 357 posts · 169 votes
    10y

    I'm a Realtor in the Tampa Bay area and if you're aboard member you just be able to hit the "request showing" button in MLS. Most of the LB codes are listed there. It also seems like more and more agents are going to the Supra keys, so that makes things much easier.

    But yes, not answering phones seems to be a big problem. Everyone misses call, but that's what voicemail is for. I've notice that when I leave a message, I don't get calls returned. I had an agent this week tell me she was too busy playing golf and couldn't answer my call.

    0Reply
  • Nick C.
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    If leaving voicemail doesn't work, try texting. Texts are harder to ignore than voicemail or email, some people don't even listen to voicemails anymore, and you know they're seeing the text no matter how "busy" they are. If it's a good listing I've texted an agent a dozen times if they tried ignoring me. I'd rather be annoying than irrelevant. 

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  • Robert AdamsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Henderson, NV · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 373 votes
    10y

    Refer your client to a local buyers agent and have the buyers agent track down the listings and listing agents.

    We can assist with this and we offer a 25% referral fee to licensees on all closed deals.

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  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Bob Sense:

    Call the DRE (Department of Real Estate) and file a complaint with their investigating teams. A great way to lose their licenses for unethical behavior. 

     No rule says realtor in ca has to answer there phone.  Dre would not respond to that type of complaint and agent would not lose licence

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