Email Elizabethnegotiating after close of escrow
Some Realtors Do Not Follow Up With Other Sacramento Realtors
It is always a surprise to me when some Realtors do not follow up with other Sacramento Realtors. One example of this was a recent sale of a condo to a lovely young couple. The lockbox on this condo, which we had used for entry, was located on the front door. Nothing was ever said by the listing agent that the lockbox belonged to someone else before we closed.
I called the listing Realtor after closing as she had not removed the lock box. It was still on the front door! Here is the challenge: the listing agent said it is not her lockbox! Well, it was on the front door of her listing. Why didn’t she get it removed? Why did it become our problem? She said the agent who owns the lockbox is ignoring her calls and texts. Of course now it falls on us to get it removed one way or the other. When some Realtors do not follow up with other Sacramento Realtors, it results in a sure-fire way to cause frustration for everyone in a transaction.
When you close escrow as a listing agent, everything should be completed. Something such as ignoring a lockbox on the property, simply because it doesn’t belong to you, is not a good business practice. Whatever is left undone will only surface later and cause frustration for a new owner. I asked the listing agent for the contact information of the lockbox owner. She sent it to me. I called and left a voice mail that it was in everyone’s best interest to remove her lockbox. Additionally, that the property owner is calling Metrolist (our local MLS service provider), to report her. I added I was willing to remove it if she gave me the shackle code. So far, no call back.
When some Realtors do not follow up with other Sacramento Realtors, something easy to solve becomes a weight on other shoulders. We now need to fix a problem that wasn’t ours in the first place. Our clients write 5 star reviews on our listings because these loose ends simply do not happen.
We close the loop each and every time we close an escrow. Further, we also use our own lockboxes as we have some 70+ lockboxes registered in MLS. No need to “borrow” anyone else’s. If you want to ensure your real estate transactions are never left half-baked, call the Weintraub & Wallace team — we finish what we start. 916-233-6759.
Uh, Oh, Buyer’s Agent Warns, We Have a BIG PROBLEM After Closing
“Uh, Oh,” Buyer’s Agent warns, “We have a BIG PROBLEM after closing.” Wow, not what I expected. At the moment, I was busy dashing about, getting ready to meet my team at Biba’s for lunch, when this buyer’s agent called. What in the world could have happened? Immediately, I began wondering. Maybe the house exploded? Perhaps an asteroid smashed into the back yard? Or, the whole place burned down? Seriously, could not imagine why the agent was calling me about this BIG PROBLEM after closing an AS IS sale. Especially since client fiduciary with both seller and buyer agents terminates at closing.
So, what? So what is the problem? First, the agent had to set the stage. To do so, the agent launched into a long story about an estate sale for the extensive personal items and vintage furniture left in the home. Yes, valuable stuff the buyer received for free without paying any additional compensation. Then, something about the estate administrator drawing an itemized list . . . Yes, I know it sounds terrible but I wasn’t completely listening since I already knew the outcome. So, my mind began to drift to other pressing matters. Like, I have to walk 3 blocks to Biba’s and 3 blocks back to my office. Which shoes are best for a six-block hike?
Suddenly, the sound of the agent’s continued saga snapped back my attention, long enough for me to stare hard at my phone. Almost like somebody slipped this phone into my hand, and this is not my phone. My jaw fell open. Honestly, I could not believe the words vibrating out of the speaker on my phone. She reiterated, “We have a BIG PROBLEM after closing,” adding for emphasis, “it is a $500 problem.”
Hey, alarm bells going off. Since when is $500 a BIG PROBLEM? $50,000 is a big problem. $5 million, much worse. What could the $500 be about? I never really got the whole story but somehow a distant relative of the seller came over to the house and removed some of the items slated for the estate sale. Like, Ollie would say to Stanley, “this is another fine kettle of fish . . .” For starters, how did they know the guy? Further, how did he get inside? I dunno. I don’t even know the guy. Not even aware there was a relative living in town. Nope, only know the seller doesn’t live in California.
OK, now the conversation shifts. At this point, the buyer’s agent moves to the meat of the matter. Apparently, the buyer values those stolen items at $500. Moreover, the buyer prefers to settle this amicably.
Well, the logical answer is if a theft occurred, the buyer needs to file a police report at Sacpd.org.
Further, the buyer was not represented by Lyon Real Estate. She was not my client. The buyer and agent wanted to know, would I track down that relative and get his address and his cell phone from the seller? A fragile guy who is barely recovering from invasive surgery on top of the death of two close relatives and throw one more distasteful demand from the buyer at his feet?
Holy moly, on what planet do these people live? My real estate license does not extend to protecting a residence after closing nor negotiating settlements. Most people would hire a lawyer. Or, hire a security guard. Perhaps change the locks like a normal person. Don’t call the Sacramento listing agent after escrow closes, for crying out loud.
