How do you deal with difficult agents?

Dealing with difficult agents is, unfortunately, just part of the job. When I was a newbie agent I had the good fortune to have an outstanding office manager and mentor who advised and educated me on the CAR forms and on strategies. In regards to your case, consider just moving forward by searching for other homes that will work for your clients. Don't fail your clients by staying "stuck" on this transaction because of your desire to figure out what went wrong-just move on; find alternative listings for them to see. In the future, always search for and keep info on other possible properties. Even if your clients have made an offer or are in escrow, deals fall apart all the time. If that happens you can then be the professional who has options for your clients and can help them quickly find a home that may be even better than the one they lost.

Hi Katie, unfortunately there are some agents that don't cooperate with us the way we would like.  The best thing to do in situations like this is just act professional and ask lots of questions.  When you are selling a foreclosure, always inform your clients that the state contract is the way to start the process and that the seller/bank will most likely have their own terms and conditions (which is the Addendum).  Hope this helps! Good luck!

Makes a big difference whether they are working under you as a Principal Broker/Supervising Broker or if it's an agent from another Real Estate agency. If it's an in-house situation you do a face to face sit down and discuss the issues or problems and how they will be resolved. If it's an agent from another Real Estate Agency I would first try talking to the agent and if that does not resolve the issue I would go directly to that agents supervising Broker.

I got a lot of that from more experienced agents when I first started in the business.  I've got 30 prior years of experience so I'm fairly comfortable dealing with those types of situations.  If I felt like a particular agent was not responding, I would call, leave a clear, concise voice mail, being as polite and professional as I could be, and I would follow up in writing with an email and blind copy myself.  IF I did not get a response after a day or two, depending on how critical the issue was, I would contact the brokerage and ask to speak with the managing broker, and I would inquire if the particular agent might be on vacation or out sick.  I would explain why I was calling and that I had made several attempts to reach the agent, and was concerned about not hearing back.

That approach usually yields results.   Most agents try to avoid answering those types of questions from their broker.

Hello Katie,

I am in complete agreement with Eva. If the other agent continues to be difficult I would recommend the employing Brokers be involved and the next step would be getting the state association of realtors involved. We don't need real estate agents like that in the business, it reflects on us all.

Sincerely,

Virgil George

Someone has to be in control, Talk to your broker. 

Ignore them--find a new house for your clients. Not worth the hassle. 

Hi, I got into real estate 10 years ago in REO Foreclosure sales.   I have moved onward but I know from experience that most bank foreclosures are all or nothing, as is, and if you dont sign EVERY single little spot, every initial, every check box, the way they want, they will not deal with you.   Some REO listing agents are friendlier than others.  But most of the time the banks are paying them a very small commission - I have seen from $200 - 3% but on avg its around $1,000 or less.   They take a chunk of their commission before their brokerage gets their chunk, so many put forth a little less than 100% in their efforts.     I would partner up with someone who does a lot of REO sales to see what needs done before trying to promise your buyers anything when it comes to an REO foreclosure.   Most of the forms are very similar from bank to bank.   Basically the buyer beware, everything is as is, the sellers won't fix anything, and most go cash.  Sometimes you can get one conventional or even FHA if it is in very good condition, but a vast majority of them go cash only.     Some go to auction.  Auction houses are ruthless so I would make sure you have someone help you with them when taking your buyer through them so they don't end up losing hand money or deposits on the auction website for not following the rules or filling out all paperwork.  These banks also will often do highest and best offers or hold an offer for weeks waiting for something better so be prepared for a lack of notification and lots of waiting.

Katie,  

Hang in there. We were all new at some point. Some paperwork as you know has a timeline in the transaction. You went to school and passed your test. Be confident in your ability to know what to do. Stay positive and know that some people aren’t happy and don’t let them bring you down. I’m with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty in Avon and I am more than happy to talk with you. Talk with your broker and make sure you are legal, maybe the other agent is jealous of your knowledge. Stay positive and focused and enjoy 😉 

Stay positive, see if you can get her on the phone. If you need to remind her that she once was a new agent as well and had to learn the ropes. If she continues to be rude you can always contact her broker for help and intervene. There is no reason for anyone to be rude in this industry it all comes back full circle at some point.