An Inexorable Truth Trying to Show Chicago Real Estate
Inexorable.
What a profound and sudden word.
“The inexorable truth is that the listing agent is simply unreachable.”
Jeez. And when you consider what the last sentence implies, you amplify what is inexorable. And thus the seller of the piece of Chicago real estate whose house is being sold by the agent who doesn’t answer phone calls, doesn’t respond to emails, doesn’t get back on texts has the right to enter into a realm of inexorable irritation.
And of course, to coin a new word, the ripple effect “triplifies” when the prospective consumer who wishes to see the listing is met by deaf ears of the unresponsive Chicago real estate professional who answers not a call or text or email.
Perhaps smoke signals?
Oops, no smoke signals except for the smoke emanating from the ears of other Chicago real estate professionals to signal that their art is in the hands of an inexorable novice who evidently hasn’t read the pamphlet on how to service his one and only Chicago real estate listing.
And so we have a quadrupifying with a new party experiencing the inexorable truth of WTF-ness – the Chicago real estate agent trying to ensure that his client sees what is available in order to make a clear purchase decision but being turned away with nary a response.
Who knew that in a market where some Lincoln Park properties are languishing on the market that such inexorable reticence on the part of the listing agent was to be expected.
And yet here we are with our evening dance card open (save the showings of a Lakeview condo for rent at 3534 N Lake Shore and a second showing at a Lakeview condo for sale at 3118 N Sheffield). Ah, but those are my listings and I have control over responsiveness and the ultimate itinerary.
And the balking agent? I don’t know what exactly he has control of. I finally got a hold of him in mid-afternoon. The fifth call (as opposed to the third text or fourth email) did the trick. Sounded like I rousted him from a deep slumber, although somnambulism may be a more generalized condition as opposed to an aberration in this instance.
He promised to get back to me within the half hour. And so an hour later he texted “No go tonite.” My immediate response to arrange tomorrow night has not merited a rejoinder. That was more than an hour ago. Who knows when I will hear from him again. It seems his cell phone perhaps is more a decoration or paper weight than a functional piece of equipment to facilitate the showing and selling of Chicago homes.
Look, I will be the first to admit that my client is not seeking the Taj Mahal. But what she seeks squarely relates to the one listing that this agent has. And while 7.30 showings may not be the most appealing thing, it comes with the territory of being a Chicago real estate professional. As someone once told me, we typically don’t make the market, we respond to it.
That is particularly true with respect to showing requests. Especially since other units in this building recently have gone under contract and this one has experienced multiple price reductions.And this is the agent’s one and only listing.
But the inexorable truth of the moment is that there will be no showings of this particular Lincoln Park condo tonight.
So maybe I have figured out one thing this agent controls – when other Chicago real estate professionals may view this home.
And all the home seller knows is that he’s racked up one more day on the market.
That, too, is inexorable.
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Hi – This has happened way too often lately, as realtors are accepting days jobs and blowing off their RE responsibilities. Obviously, as agents we can’t contact the owner. However, I had a situation where we tried to make an offer on a property and the agent wouldn’t respond! We later found out that she was trying to negotiate a dual agency situation and our offer was higher than her clients were willing to pay. My client was so infuriated that she wrote to the seller and explained the situation. The seller took her agent to arbitration and got all her commission back. As a gesture, she sent my client a $500 Bloomingdale’s gift card as a thank you.
Maybe your buyer should leave a note with the doorman – short and sweet. “My agent has called your agent over 10 times to see your condo and he hasn’t responded to calls. I’m a buyer who’s very interested in your condo. Please call my agent – he’s awesome, blah blah blah.” Maybe you’ll end up with the listing! And the purchase…