April 26, 2008

Open House - A Realtor Conspiracy?

A Rant about Incomplete Open House Ads

Realtors are going all out to make sure you can’t get useful information from their Open House advertisements. You might think they would be happy to see their listing in my blog, for instance, and shared at other online locations. Yet I found a full dozen Open House invitations here in San Diego East County today and not a single one included an MLS number. Some wouldn’t even offer an address. Listings for condos failed to mention the Homeowners’ Association fees. It takes a lot of detective work to bring you these few open house listings, but with them you can follow the link to the Redfin page for a complete look at the MLS data and much, much more.

I am tempted to pick out one of the elaborate listings from the San Diego Reader or Craigslist and praise the wealth of pictures- pics of the house, of the agent, of the agent’s logo. I could praise the flowery text describing the property and the arrangement of text, pictures, and raw data. These adverts clearly show that someone has given thought, energy, time and money to get them right and have them posted in several places (a service does that for them). I don’t want to embarrass any particular agent, however, when I blast the ad for not including the MLS number, the address or other information that any reasonable shopper would clearly need before driving across town to see the property or suffering the obligatory interview with the agent.

Then there are the simple Open House ads. Maybe four sentences that might include an address, the date of the Opening, number of bedrooms and price. Those last two are always included. The most backward Realtor understands that the public demands at least that. Let’s make them understand that we demand more. Remember that when these simple ads include an MLS number, you and I can see the rest on Redfin or elsewhere. That little number gives us much important information. (is that what they’re afraid of?)

I would love it if you would call every agent with a ‘teaser’ listing and scream “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it any more!” Do not play their game. If they refuse information, you should refuse to go.

Address Bd/Ba Sq.Ft. Day Price Comment 4111 Massachusetts,LM 4/3 2,329 Sun $625k built 2004, listed 7 days 1234 First, EC 3/2 1,100 Sat/Sun $300k 1991, 10 days, HOA $207 15935 Spring Oaks Rd,EC 2/2 1,139 Sat $168k 1999, 10 days, HOA $671

That’s right. Let the tricksters sit and stew during their Open House day all alone. This is the information age. Many Realtors are dragging their stone age feet and continuing to play the games of the 1950s. Let the fossils find other work and the honest agents have your business. You are making a major investment- do you really want to trust an agent who is concealing relevant information before you even meet?

I’m sorry to be so harsh. Remember I’m not an agent. In my innocence, I expect agents to exhibit the same professional diligence and integrity that we expect of doctors, bloggers and teachers. I believe Open House days bring opportunities for Realtors, buyers and sellers. I’m aware that the agent often finds this a very difficult day and they put forth a heroic effort during the experience. I just can’t understand why these sometimes elaborate Open House announcements deliberately hide critical information.

You can follow my East County blog here or here. You’re at Redfin, the unbiased source for local real estate information.

[data from generally reliable sources, please comment on any errors!]

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