Expert: Sue Bernstein - 7/4/2006

Question
While discussing the timing of my signing with an agent and scheduling an open house, she nonchalantly said she would be unavailable for a few weeks because she was going on vacation.  

I told her that I felt very uncomfortable signing with someone who would be unavailable for the first critical weeks of my listing, and that it was unacceptable to me to have another person 'covering' for her in the office if something came up.  I asked her to please not take my listing if she was going on vacation.

I signed with this agent after she assured me she had cancelled her vacation because she was so busy.  She listed the house and had an open house. Nobody came to the open house, and nobody has stepped foot in the house since (two weeks so far).

I sent photos to the agent to put on the listing, and I notice she has not posted them.  She answers the phone when I call, but I suspect she is on vacation.

I am beside myself...  what do I do now?  Should I request to terminate her contract?

Answer
Dear Sue,

If it were me I would call the agent and ask to see her in a few hours to go over the listing and discuss marketing...or have someone call her directly and request a showing. See what happens.  If she is, in fact, on vacation she will be able to do neither. If you truly believe she is out of town call her manager and discuss how you were lied to and request a cancellation of the listing.  Most likely, the manager will do everything to not have to cancel the listing but the manager can pull your agent off and substitute a different agent that the manager thinks will do a good job.
You have another problem.  If the listing is in the multiple listing service why haven't there been any showings?  This is the real issue.  You must determine why you are not having any showings in order to correct the situation before too much time has gone by.  Ask your agent exactly what she has done in the way of marketing.  All of these can be verified...brochures, newspaper ads, internet marketing etc.... You should have all or at least some of these.

Good luck and I hope this helps.


Sue Bernstein
www.SueBernstein.com