Is this Normal? Real Estate Agent (1 Viewer)

[Rattle and Hum]

We're in the market for a two-unit in our city. I called a local agent who has a neighborhood office near us. I asked if he's free to stop by to discuss our needs. He happens to be free then so I tell him 10 minutes and I'm there in 8. Young guy. Nice enough. Looks like it's him, his father, and maybe his wife. I explained what we're looking for, our budget, and what we have to work with money-wise. He states that he's confident he can find something for us and that I'm in good hands. He doesn't take any notes or anyting. While wrapping things up he asked if I could "email him a summary of what we're looking for". I'm standing there thinking isn't this the reason I stopped by your office? Is it normal for real estate agents to ask me to send a summary email of what we're looking for? Is this a generational thing? I'm football guy age plus two or three so I don't always understand what's happening with modern-day communication.

Sent from my blackberry

 

[-fish-]

OK Boomer.

It's not unusual for someone that works remotely to have you email them so they have your contact information and a summary of the assignment in one place.   

Edit:   I didn't read it closely.   Yeah, it seems lazy if you're at his office.

 

[jrt103]

Did you bring proof of funds from your lender?

 

[Rattle and Hum]

Did you bring proof of funds from your lender?

Told him this would be a cash deal...admittedly i didnt bring a bank statement.

 

[Osaurus]

Maybe you’re looking for a Geritol broker.

 

[Rattle and Hum]

OK Boomer.

It's not unusual for someone that works remotely to have you email them so they have your contact information and a summary of the assignment in one place.   

So maybe he wanted something to plug into his phone with notes abd contact info instead of him doing it? Maybe I'll Tic Tok him a pic of wife and I looking happy when we paid off the notes on the mortgage and a couple of decaf, almond milk, macchiatos with vegan whipping cream we financed back in 2016. He'd prob know I was serious then.

 

[brun]

Maybe I'm just unrealistic, but I would think a professional would ask you for your email address so he could send you a summary to confirm he understood your requirements. Instead he put the burden on you, the client. Sounds lazy to me.

 

[-fish-]

Maybe I'm just unrealistic, but I would think a professional would ask you for your email address so he could send you a summary to confirm he understood your requirements. Instead he put the burden on you, the client. Sounds lazy to me.

Now that I re-read this, I was thinking the agent came to him.   If he went to the agent's office, I would expect him to send a confirming email.   

 

[brun]

We're in the market for a two-unit in our city. I called a local agent who has a neighborhood office near us. I asked if he's free to stop by to discuss our needs. He happens to be free then so I tell him 10 minutes and I'm there in 8. Young guy. Nice enough. Looks like it's him, his father, and maybe his wife. I explained what we're looking for, our budget, and what we have to work with money-wise. He states that he's confident he can find something for us and that I'm in good hands. He doesn't take any notes or anyting. While wrapping things up he asked if I could "email him a summary of what we're looking for". I'm standing there thinking isn't this the reason I stopped by your office? Is it normal for real estate agents to ask me to send a summary email of what we're looking for? Is this a generational thing? I'm football guy age plus two or three so I don't always understand what's happening with modern-day communication.

Sent from my blackberry

If I meet with a client in person outside of my office, I expect them to email me a summary of what they want as well as their contact information.   I have a lot of clients.   I'm not going to try to remember what each one wants.   You want me taking notes as we meet?  Come to my office.    

I think he did go to the office.

 

[Dickies]

If I meet with a client in person outside of my office, I expect them to email me a summary of what they want as well as their contact information.   I have a lot of clients.   I'm not going to try to remember what each one wants.   You want me taking notes as we meet?  Come to my office.    

If I'm reading the OP correctly, it sounds like he went to the RE agent's office.  I'm not in real estate, but when I meet with potential clients, whether it's at their house or my office, I take notes and ask for contact information so that I can email a summary of the discussion.  

 

[sports_fan]

Whether it’s normal or not, this guy clearly didn’t make a good first impression. Wait to email or contact him again and look for another agent.

 

[Angry Beavers]

clearly you did not tell him you had FBG type $.

I  probably would have said, if I wanted to send an email blast of my requirements, I would have. Isn't that your job? 

 

[bushdocda]

I’d be done with that guy. You pretty much pay a good realtor and a bad realtor the same. So pay a good one.  

 

[eoMMan]

Yeah, lazy on his part.

 

[The General]

Maybe he’ll ask you to show him some places next.

 

[DocHolliday]

Find a more ambitious agent  

 

[boots11234]

Get a new realtor. Find one you have a good vibe with. 

 

[Summer Wheat]

Get a new realtor. Find one you have a good vibe with. 

Realtors are basically used car salespeople. 

 

[Zegras11]

I'm mostly a buyers agent.  Move on.  Very weak.  He does #### like this now, things could get worse later on more serious parts of a deal. 

 

[chet]

If he's this lazy at the initial meeting, I can't imagine what he'll do down the road.  Move on.  If you want to be helpful, the email you send should describe why you chose to work with someone else.

 

[ChainsawU]

Is it normal

Dude. You're going to war with this guy. Trust your instincts. If he didn't sweep you off your feet from the jump, apologize and never call him again. If you don't want him on your team don't pick him up bro. Trust your instincts and snap judgement in this situation. Use this situation to your advantage - as an anecdote to tell your new agent as a means to bond/get to know her instead. You made out well, already got your anecdotal story of the failed agent before you actually have anything to lose. Run bro

 

[boots11234]

Dude. You're going to war with this guy. Trust your instincts. If he didn't sweep you off your feet from the jump, apologize and never call him again. If you don't want him on your team don't pick him up bro. Trust your instincts and snap judgement in this situation. Use this situation to your advantage - as an anecdote to tell your new agent as a means to bond/get to know her instead. You made out well, already got your anecdotal story of the failed agent before you actually have anything to lose. Run bro

This. Bro

 

[Rattle and Hum]

Thx, all.  He had my email from trying to get the listing on our primary a couple weeks ago. We were under contract on a new place for us and called him to see if they had buyers for the 3.5% we were offering via zillow* listing. Our purchase fell through upon inspection results. We decided to stay here and invest in a rental instead which prompted the call by me for a meet & greet in his office. Perhaps I need an older agent.

* Zillow is not fun. As @Chadstroma shared, only licenced agents seem to follow up with fsbo listings. I think buyers in the price range of our modest home (below median sale price) are prob intimidated by the prospect of going it alone. Im fiscally responsible so the full 6% is tough for me shed.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I’d be done with that guy. You pretty much pay a good realtor and a bad realtor the same. So pay a good one.  

Yep.

 

[brun]

  16 hours ago, -fish- said:

If I meet with a client in person outside of my office, I expect them to email me a summary of what they want as well as their contact information.   I have a lot of clients.   I'm not going to try to remember what each one wants.   You want me taking notes as we meet?  Come to my office.

@-fish- you may want consider that, regardless of the meeting location, not taking ownership of the communication/sales process invites the potential client to go elsewhere as soon as you walk away. I'm not a sales pro. I say this from a customer POV.

 

[General Malaise]

Sent from my blackberry

 

[-fish-]

  16 hours ago, -fish- said:

If I meet with a client in person outside of my office, I expect them to email me a summary of what they want as well as their contact information.   I have a lot of clients.   I'm not going to try to remember what each one wants.   You want me taking notes as we meet?  Come to my office.

@-fish- you may want consider that, regardless of the meeting location, not taking ownership of the communication/sales process invites the potential client to go elsewhere as soon as you walk away. I'm not a sales pro. I say this from a customer POV.

I don’t need clients.   I have too many.  I’m not in customer service. Also, don’t ever leave me a voice mail.  Who does that?

 

[The General]

Thx, all.  He had my email from trying to get the listing on our primary a couple weeks ago. We were under contract on a new place for us and called him to see if they had buyers for the 3.5% we were offering via zillow* listing. Our purchase fell through upon inspection results. We decided to stay here and invest in a rental instead which prompted the call by me for a meet & greet in his office. Perhaps I need an older agent.

* Zillow is not fun. As @Chadstroma shared, only licenced agents seem to follow up with fsbo listings. I think buyers in the price range of our modest home (below median sale price) are prob intimidated by the prospect of going it alone. Im fiscally responsible so the full 6% is tough for me shed.

I'm going to need you to send this to my email. TIA

 

[brun]

I don’t need clients.   I have too many.  I’m not in customer service. 

Sounds like you have clients, but don't need them. You're in an enviable position. Now I'm curious what kind of business this would be. Can you say?

 

[DocHolliday]

Sounds like you have clients, but don't need them. You're in an enviable position. Now I'm curious what kind of business this would be. Can you say?

Meth.  

 

[Brunell4MVP]

As an agent, I'd say he wants to make sure you are real.  We waste a TON of time with people that end up not really being interested or having the funds.  I can't tell you how many $3M+ homes i've shown in the past to people that don't have the money.  The liars always say it will be a cash deal.  Who knows why they do it?  Maybe for the ego or acting they can buy an expensive house.  I've had some showing off for girlfriends.  But I'd say 90% of the people that call me saying they are an all cash buyer, aren't. 

And from an equality requirement perspective, you have to put every single prospect through the same routine, by law.  So even if he 100% believes you, if he requires something from others he has to do it for you.  Which is why we have a process by which we have to have a loan pre-approval or proof of funds before I will spend 5 seconds showing you a house.  Wasted way too many hours in the past with fake buyers.

It's not bad customer service to question people he doesn't know or request something as simple as an email.  It keeps him from wasting time, so he can serve his true clients better.

ETA: he could also be bad.  the barriers to entry in this business are very low.  Best way to check on this is how many prior sales he has in the price range you are looking at.

 

[-fish-]

Sounds like you have clients, but don't need them. You're in an enviable position. Now I'm curious what kind of business this would be. Can you say?

Law.  I’m on my way to my office now to meet with a board of directors that insists on an in person meeting rather than a phone or videoconference.  What a waste of time.  At the end of this meeting, I will undoubtedly tell them to send me an email summarizing their goals.

 

[Zegras11]

As an agent, I'd say he wants to make sure you are real.  We waste a TON of time with people that end up not really being interested or having the funds.  I can't tell you how many $3M+ homes i've shown in the past to people that don't have the money.  The liars always say it will be a cash deal.  Who knows why they do it?  Maybe for the ego or acting they can buy an expensive house.  I've had some showing off for girlfriends.  But I'd say 90% of the people that call me saying they are an all cash buyer, aren't. 

And from an equality requirement perspective, you have to put every single prospect through the same routine, by law.  So even if he 100% believes you, if he requires something from others he has to do it for you.  Which is why we have a process by which we have to have a loan pre-approval or proof of funds before I will spend 5 seconds showing you a house.  Wasted way too many hours in the past with fake buyers.

It's not bad customer service to question people he doesn't know or request something as simple as an email.  It keeps him from wasting time, so he can serve his true clients better.

ETA: he could also be bad.  the barriers to entry in this business are very low.  Best way to check on this is how many prior sales he has in the price range you are looking at.

I don't show a home until they have an approval letter and we've met at my office and go over my 13 questions I ask everyone.  Streamlines the whole process from start to end in a huge way for both sides and I now get a ton of referrals because I do it this way.  

 

[Chadstroma]

We're in the market for a two-unit in our city. I called a local agent who has a neighborhood office near us. I asked if he's free to stop by to discuss our needs. He happens to be free then so I tell him 10 minutes and I'm there in 8. Young guy. Nice enough. Looks like it's him, his father, and maybe his wife. I explained what we're looking for, our budget, and what we have to work with money-wise. He states that he's confident he can find something for us and that I'm in good hands. He doesn't take any notes or anyting. While wrapping things up he asked if I could "email him a summary of what we're looking for". I'm standing there thinking isn't this the reason I stopped by your office? Is it normal for real estate agents to ask me to send a summary email of what we're looking for? Is this a generational thing? I'm football guy age plus two or three so I don't always understand what's happening with modern-day communication.

Sent from my blackberry

Real estate agents come in all shapes, sizes, colors and usefulness. There are more real estate licensed individuals out there than insects it seems sometimes but honestly only a few are really worth it. 

When dealing with realtors, I look for three things: 1) Are they a good nice person that I don't want to shove a dirty piece of cloth down their mouth to shut up. This also incorporates that they are not pompous arrogant jerks who think they know more than they know. I want someone who has integrity, is a good person and that I don't mind interacting with. 2) Are they competent. Of course this is important. I have seen so many that are scary. I mean, I have had some first time home buyers know more about real estate than some of the goofballs. The first one is pretty easy to figure out, this one is a little harder. The best things to look for is are they doing this full time as their job. Have they been doing it for a while or are they brand new. Are they professional enough to take notes or at least confident enough in the conversation that they do not need to take notes (I am not a note person but unless it is several months down the road, I have a pretty good memory to recall what the conversation was about) 3) Are they driven. Do they want to buy and sell homes and get the best for their clients as is their fiduciary duty. Sure, everyone wants to do that but are they actually going to put in the work to make it happen. 

I don't like the red flags on this conversation with this guy. I would reach out to others and see who might be a better fit. Like women, there are plenty more in the sea to go fish out. Go get a keeper, this one makes me think he is a throw back. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Told him this would be a cash deal...admittedly i didnt bring a bank statement.

Did he ask about it? If not, that would actually be another red flag for me. 

 

[Chadstroma]

I’d be done with that guy. You pretty much pay a good realtor and a bad realtor the same. So pay a good one.  

As a buyer, he pays them the same... nothing. But regardless, there is no reason to get a crappy realtor to do their job. It makes your life as a house hunting consumer less fun. 

 

[Chadstroma]

Thx, all.  He had my email from trying to get the listing on our primary a couple weeks ago. We were under contract on a new place for us and called him to see if they had buyers for the 3.5% we were offering via zillow* listing. Our purchase fell through upon inspection results. We decided to stay here and invest in a rental instead which prompted the call by me for a meet & greet in his office. Perhaps I need an older agent.

* Zillow is not fun. As @Chadstroma shared, only licenced agents seem to follow up with fsbo listings. I think buyers in the price range of our modest home (below median sale price) are prob intimidated by the prospect of going it alone. Im fiscally responsible so the full 6% is tough for me shed.

Zillow is the suck. 

It isn't about age. And though I said check out part time and newbie or not.... that isn't all that great of an indication either. I know just starting out agents that are smart and driven and will run through brick walls for their clients. I know full time realtors doing this for 30 years that I can't imagine how they have had and kept clients for longer than a week. 

On the buying side, the technology takes care of a lot of what realtors use to do. They are mostly useful for setting up viewings and then negotiating/putting the contract together. So, you really want someone that can negotiate and that is going to work on your time schedule for showings.  

 

[Chadstroma]

As an agent, I'd say he wants to make sure you are real.  We waste a TON of time with people that end up not really being interested or having the funds.  I can't tell you how many $3M+ homes i've shown in the past to people that don't have the money.  The liars always say it will be a cash deal.  Who knows why they do it?  Maybe for the ego or acting they can buy an expensive house.  I've had some showing off for girlfriends.  But I'd say 90% of the people that call me saying they are an all cash buyer, aren't. 

And from an equality requirement perspective, you have to put every single prospect through the same routine, by law.  So even if he 100% believes you, if he requires something from others he has to do it for you.  Which is why we have a process by which we have to have a loan pre-approval or proof of funds before I will spend 5 seconds showing you a house.  Wasted way too many hours in the past with fake buyers.

It's not bad customer service to question people he doesn't know or request something as simple as an email.  It keeps him from wasting time, so he can serve his true clients better.

ETA: he could also be bad.  the barriers to entry in this business are very low.  Best way to check on this is how many prior sales he has in the price range you are looking at.

Meh... I would agree with you if he was asking for proof of funds. This 'summary email' sounds like laziness to me. As you know the right and professional way to handle that is simple asking for proof of funds and explaining to the client that once he has that he can put a package together on a moments notice to put a bid on as soon as you see a house you like. Until then, there is no reason to show homes if we can't act on it. 

 

[Chadstroma]

I don't show a home until they have an approval letter and we've met at my office and go over my 13 questions I ask everyone.  Streamlines the whole process from start to end in a huge way for both sides and I now get a ton of referrals because I do it this way.  

Agreed. There is no reason to show homes without an approval letter or proof of funds. It avoids wasting your time as an agent. Further, it helps the client. It does no one any good if they think or want to buy a home for $500K and you show all these houses in that range but then find out they can only get qualified for $400K and now all those houses are a downer based on their unfounded hopes and dreams. 

Plus, it is a matter of safety as well. (Someone intent on doing harm isn't going to want to do a mortgage app or show proof of funds). 

Asking for an email to summarize your discussion from a client just screams unprofessional and not competent. 

 

[Zegras11]

Plus, it is a matter of safety as well. (Someone intent on doing harm isn't going to want to do a mortgage app or show proof of funds). 

This is a great point.  There's been some weird stuff the last few years.

 

[ChainsawU]

Zillow is the suck.

In business school one of my partners on a project insisted on using Zillow for some very key numbers our project required. And then on presentation day - our absolute final, make-it-or-break-it day - he was basically laughed out of the room by the professional investor. I would've been embarrassed for the dude if he hadn't taken the reigns, trying to be the "decider" himself from day one. Ever since then, whenever someone even mentions Zillow I cringe.

 

[James Daulton]

I don't show a home until they have an approval letter and we've met at my office and go over my 13 questions I ask everyone.  Streamlines the whole process from start to end in a huge way for both sides and I now get a ton of referrals because I do it this way.  

I've looked at lots of houses without an approval letter.  What if you're just thinking about moving but seeing the house might sway you?

 

[Zegras11]

I've looked at lots of houses without an approval letter.  What if you're just thinking about moving but seeing the house might sway you?

If you are going to open houses to do that without an agent, that's fine.  People do that all the time.  

If you're doing that with an agent, that agent is an idiot.  Lol.  

The risk you take without an approval letter is what if you find one you want to buy, and you miss out because it takes 24 to 36 hours to get that approval letter. More on a weekend. 

 

[-fish-]

I don't show a home until they have an approval letter and we've met at my office and go over my 13 questions I ask everyone.  Streamlines the whole process from start to end in a huge way for both sides and I now get a ton of referrals because I do it this way.  

What about cash buyers?

 

[Zegras11]

What about cash buyers?

Still meet with them first.   First reason is safety.  Some of my questions are to make sure I want to work with them also.  After the questions,  I set up a detailed search better than any app and get them to buy one of the 5 homes they like the most 80 percent of the time.  The other 20 percent buy a home that was 6 thru 10 on their list.   I cant remember the last time I showed a client more than 7 homes before they  chose to buy one. 

 

[Cjw_55106]

Not much good in here about Zillow. Where should average Joe citizen be checking out properties? 

 

[Tom Servo]

Real estate agents come in all shapes, sizes, colors and usefulness. There are more real estate licensed individuals out there than insects it seems sometimes but honestly only a few are really worth it. 

When dealing with realtors, I look for three things: 1) Are they a good nice person that I don't want to shove a dirty piece of cloth down their mouth to shut up. This also incorporates that they are not pompous arrogant jerks who think they know more than they know. I want someone who has integrity, is a good person and that I don't mind interacting with. 2) Are they competent. Of course this is important. I have seen so many that are scary. I mean, I have had some first time home buyers know more about real estate than some of the goofballs. The first one is pretty easy to figure out, this one is a little harder. The best things to look for is are they doing this full time as their job. Have they been doing it for a while or are they brand new. Are they professional enough to take notes or at least confident enough in the conversation that they do not need to take notes (I am not a note person but unless it is several months down the road, I have a pretty good memory to recall what the conversation was about) 3) Are they driven. Do they want to buy and sell homes and get the best for their clients as is their fiduciary duty. Sure, everyone wants to do that but are they actually going to put in the work to make it happen. 

I don't like the red flags on this conversation with this guy. I would reach out to others and see who might be a better fit. Like women, there are plenty more in the sea to go fish out. Go get a keeper, this one makes me think he is a throw back. 

When I bought my first home in WV, we had a real go-getter for an agent. I was impressed with her hustle and five years later when I sold said house, I called her to help me sell it.  There was no thinking about who to call.