Should I fire my list agent or not?

Question

First, i really don't want to change the agent unless i have to. My list agent is a nice person, i just feel like we are different working style which may not be a good fit. I am not sure if it was me has no patience or my list agent is not very diligent on my property. Overall she did answer my message and phone call during the working days, however the property has been listed on MLS since August, there were only 5 showing request. She held open houses for several houses in the same neighborhood, include my house, last week I only had two showing request. One thing that make me really unhappy with her is that I asked her to updated MLS with new info and pictures, she said yes to me, but didn't updated them until two weeks later. It happened several times, finally I have to go take pictures myself and asked her to uploaded them to MLS, and have to ask her do it by certain time, otherwise, she wouldn't do it until whenever she feels like. when we discuss things over the phone, I enjoyed our conversation very much, however she just won't take action quickly even after we decided what to do next. I normally don't contact her over the weekend, but sometimes things come up I have to. Half of those times, she just won't return my messages or calls at all, and I know she works weekend. I get it that agent are busy, but I cannot afford paying $1000 construction loan interest a month and waiting for her to get things done. Should i change list agent or not, would like to hear any thoughts/ pros/ cons. thank you!

Ashley Zhang · Answer

Hi Joaquin, thank you for your opinion! i price my house at lower end of the subdivision, majorities are higher than mine. My floor plan is less desirable, so i price it low to ensure i can sell fast. At the end of the August, my house just pour the foundation, so it didn't sale. But it has been done for 2 weeks now.
Be honest, I don't want to change. I live in small community that i will run into to acquaintance constantly. so i am very frustrated now.

Account Closed · Answer

Is inability to get a property rented in 3 weeks a ground for termination ?

Mason Hickman · Answer

@Ashley ZhangHow much time is left on your exclusive listing contract? Could be the determining factor depending on how much time is left. Also, have you gotten more interest since getting the updated pictures online?Seems like you've made up your mind, however, I agree with the others that the number of showings is likely partially due to the price.

Vincent Chen · Answer

@Ashley Zhang So the low action might come from house construction quality/design and also might come from not good agents? So I think we need to analyze the local market first, what is the expected DOM for you when you build this house? What is the price/marketing strategy for that? How is the local activities?  If you price correct and your local market is hot, then I think your agent might not do good job, otherwise, the price/location/quality might be the main reason.

Ashley Zhang · Answer

Thank you Frank! This is the only thing i am frustrated with her. Otherwise, she is very lovely to talk to. She did stage the house when i asked her, within a week. But again, she didn't update the staging photos on the website.

Ashley Zhang · Answer

Hi Eric, thank you for your fast reply! My house actually price at lower end of the entire subdivision. 80% of the houses are 15k more than mine. I have to admit it that my floor is less desirable than others. When i realized that i asked my agent stage it immediately, she did within a week. But it took her for ever to update on website with staging pictures. Until now, she didn't haven't updated them. This is the only thing i am not happy with her.

Frank Procopio · Answer

The answer is yes you need to move on, not just for the reasons listed but the fact there has been no action since August. You have her ample time to do her job and she did not succeed, not to mention the other issues.

Joaquin Camarasa · Answer

@Ashley Zhang I think you are answering yourself what you want to do. You look clearly unhappy and in need of a change.

Since August? Are you sure your agent is the issue here or the price? Or both?

Eric X. · Answer

@Ashley Zhang

I would talk to the agent and voice your concerns...2 weeks to update info and photos? Unacceptable.  For something like photos and info, 24 hours max turnaround. It only takes 5-10 minutes.

Also keep in mind that number of showings requests is usually dictated by photos and price.  If you are only getting a few showing requests...the home is either too expensive or the photos/staging is not done well.   You mentioned taking photos yourself.  Are you taking good photos with a wide angle lens with some HDR (photomatrix type editing)? I usually use this combination when advertising my rentals but for sales I hire a photographer since they take and edit slightly better photos than I do.

If the price and photos reasonable, you should get more showings.  I don't always sell my flips in a week but usually within the first week we have 15+ showings. Your agent may not be great...but you need to take a look at your listing to make sure it matches what the market will pay.

Should I fire my list agent or not?

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