Who is Watching the Store?

I hope the title would grab your attention. Here is a quick story: We have new clients in Atlanta. As they look at a home with us they continue to have their Las Vegas home up for sale. The home in Las Vegas is a new property, in excellent shape, and priced to sell. After 7 months in a busy Las Vegas market, not one offer. Priced lowered, not one offer. Our clients frustration continued to increase. We finally asked them about the home in Las Vegas, and more importantly, what their agent is telling them through feedback. Their agent has not been in touch with them at all. He does not answer their emails and does not send them updates. So my partner and I look into the situation. We go to Realtor.com to see what the home looks like in order to suggest a course of action. We were shocked to see the presentation online. Half of the pictures were so small that you could not see them. they were horrible. More importantly: THERE WAS A VIRTUAL TOUR OF A DIFFERENT HOME ON THEIR LISTING! The virtual tour of the other home showed a run down home in horrible condition. We worked with our clients and had them withdraw their ONE YEAR LISTING AGREEMENT (the agent got a one year listing agreement). Of course it took a while because the broker would not respond to request for help. We now have them in the hands of a new agent. Two thoughts: For my fellow agents: Pictures are the most important component of marketing and selling a home. We cannot cut corners. We owe our clients top quality, professional pictures for their home. We also need to send our clients links to their home on various websites so they can see the presentation. For my home sellers: You need to be more proactive with your agent. In an initial listing presentation ask the agent to show you other listings they have as they appear on the internet. Also ask them about all of their marketing in great detail. Once you sign an agreement with an agent, demand that the agent send you your home as it appears on the internet. At the same time periodically go on the major websites and see your home and its appearance. Bottom line: Everybody needs to be more proactive.