I recently sold my home and for the most part there were no problems. However, my Realtor never showed up at the closing. She called me and said she was running late, but we should get started. She never did show up, I got my proceeds check, and left.

3 hours later I called her for an explanation and she laughed, said she lost track of time, etc.. She never even thanked me for doing business with her. Should I file a complaint with the office she works out of? A week later I'm still miffed. I did have questions on some issues but there was no one to ask but the Title person (who was good, but not indebted to me).

going to closing is a service by your Realtor. I don't miss a one. However some of the top agents I know do not

I think the best thing you can do, is not refer her to friends and family. I don't know that it is mandatory for agents to show up at closing, but I certainly think of it as a courtesy and have never had a closing where the agent didn't show up.

If you feel as strongly as you seem to I'd definitely file a complaint.

Not angrily. Just very reasonably let the broker know you expected more, that you had planned to continue the relationship and promote their firm when ever possible because until then you were quite pleased -- but unfortunately you'll not be recommending that OFFICE at all.

And if a franchise I'd call the franchise office as well.

This is another good example of why you should not only rely on your RE agent for legal advise, like questions that pop up during closing. It's always best to have a lawyer sitting by your side during closing. I was lucky, I had my lawyer and my agent sitting by me. If my agent wasn't able to make it, that would be fine. But if my lawyer wasn't able to make it, I would have postponed the closing.

Gee, I envy you. You SOLD your house.

I did not attend one of my closings. My RE agent was at the title company (where closings occur in some states), and I was out of state on an extended business trip. She arranged to have all of the forms faxed to a RE office (same chain) in the town I was located. Also, an RE agent was there to answer any questions I might have. Yea, I had some questions. One question was state specific, so my RE agent was put on a conference call. No problems! Your agent should have been available in person or by phone for questions.

I would send a complaint letter to his/her broker. Don't compose the letter while you are angry, but make notes, write a few drafts, and then take an objective view of what you've said......and send it. Be sure to include EXACTLY what you are not happy about and remind the broker you will share your experience with others.

You can't change what happened at closing, but you sure do have the right to express your opinions in a professional manner.

first... WELL DONE! on the sale in this market!

On to settlement.
There was a time when Realtors NEVER went.
There was also a time when we all rode horseback.

My "new" office prefers that a special 'clerk' hired to track the deals attends the settlement.

I don't like that and will continue to be present.

In my state, by hiring a Realtor, you have authorized them to practice limited law on your behalf.
If something comes up - and it does about 25% of the time in my experience, what then???
Who is there with the authorization to represent you?

What really set me off was the "Cavalier attitude"!
"I'm running late" can happen.
Losing track of time is inexcusable!

I think complaining won't work.

However, a letter to the Broker explaining why you will tell everyone you know and ever meet just what you think of the lack of respect will.....
(mention that while you can't change the past, you can affect the future )

We have bought two houses and both times neither the selling agent, the buying agent nor the sellers were present at the closing. It was just us, our attorney and the seller's attorney. When we sold our house we went in the day prior to sign all the paperwork (including a paper giving our attorney permission to represent us at the closing in our absence). I believe both our selling agent and the buying agent attended that closing--but basically to pick up their checks.

I never expected our agent to come to any of the closings because by that point, there was really nothing for them to do--any final questions or negotiations (like if something wasn't as it should've been in the walk through) were to be handled through the attorneys.

Edited to add:

In regards to filing a complaint, if you were happy with her service otherwise (and hey, it sold, so that's a great accomplishment in and of itsself), I'd let it go. Did her lack of attendance hold up the closing? Sounds like maybe you're annoyed that she didn't thank you for your business, which I can understand. But I don't think that warrants a complaint.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HopeToSell07,

Before contacting the Broker, I would think about: What do I want him/her to do at this point? If the Broker is conscientious, his/her reaction should be, "how can I make this right?" S/he can't change the past, but will feel better if s/he can do something to make you feel more satisfied (and not discourage your friends from using their services). So, do you want an apology? Do you want them to adopt a new policy going forward? Do you want a reprimand of the agent? A partial refund of commissions paid?

I think the behavior is inexcusable, but I think others have offered good advice here about staying cool rather than angry (which I would have to work on doing!). The Realtor knew she was expected to be there; otherwise she wouldn't have given you all those excuses. She knew you wouldn't postpone the closing.

quote:

Originally posted by Trueheart:

In my state, by hiring a Realtor, you have authorized them to practice limited law on your behalf.
If something comes up - and it does about 25% of the time in my experience, what then???
Who is there with the authorization to represent you?

This must be a state by state thing. Around here realtors can not give any legal advice. It is standard for both sellers and buyers to be represented by a Real Estate attorney as soon as an offer is accepted.

Definately a "state by state" thing...
thats why responses are so all over the place.

(also why I ALWAYS caviat 'in MY state' )

Laws are ALWAYS subject to local (ie: the State, County/Parish YOU live in) regional interpetation...
In Montana, I would use NO ONE but Bernie..
In Florida, I would be catious of (some who post here).
I've had enough 'snowbirds' move to be really, really 'leeery' of Florida "advice" (given) to ever recommend or especialy "refer'" a popular newcomer to these boards....

please ALWAYS look into your local LAWS before you act ???

_Trueheart

quote:

In Montana, I would use NO ONE but Bernie

I really appreciate that, however, I'm licensed in Colorado .

As to "practicing law", we have limited authorization to practice law as described below because of this specific lawsuit (Conway-Bogue Realty Inv. Co. v. Denver Bar Association):

Supreme Court Decision On Practice Of Law By Brokers
The Colorado broker is privileged to render services to his/her client in greater degree than are brokers in other states. The practicing real estate broker, of necessity, must work closely with practicing lawyers. Each practitioner jealously guards the legal field of their endeavor. In Colorado the real estate broker renders service to his/her client beyond that of merely procuring a buyer. Colorado brokers should familiarize themselves with the decision of the Colorado Supreme Court in the cases of (1) Conway-Bogue Realty Inv. Co. v. Denver Bar Association, (2) Denver and Colorado Bar Associations v. The Title Guaranty Co., and (3) Denver and Colorado Bar Associations v. The Record Abstract & Title Co.

Oh Bernie !!!
My deepest apologies???
You are so many thousand (?) miles away my memory (and geology) got messed up.
I would still refer you in "a New York minute"!

We also in Pa have "limited" but extended abiliy to practce "Law" in the Real Estate" category.
(thats why our 'continuing ED incorporates a "Law" class every year)
The 'not so good' advice memo still holds true for Florida.
I've had a number of clients move there and what your being told is NOT the whole story...

Trueheart, since I get the Philadelphia Magazine (that's where my wife is from), I found this article very interesting.

http://www.phillymag.com/./articles/everything_you_know...eal_estate_is_wrong/

p.s. too bad it doesn't show the full story without having to buy the magazine.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: berniek,

Thanks for all the responses. It never occured to me that she would not show up. Isn't it like the obstetrician showing up for the delivery (almost)? I haven't decided what to do as I'm now up to my neck in unpacked boxes in my new city!

Congratulations on your sale! Maybe you could just have a cocktail and forget about it?

"Coniston," Who cares if your real estate agent showed for the closing or not?! The paperwork got done on both sides, yours and the buyers, and the closing was completed.

Other than holding your hand, seriously, what possible use would she have been at that time? It was either a done deal or not; had you had questions at the time that were serious enough to stop the process, the closing would have been continued to another date.

As one who has been following the progress of your sale, I am just excited that you finally got it done!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Well done, now off to your next home! Remember, always blessings, never losses... Look forward, not back! Best of luck and leave all negativity behind!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

Coniston, I also think you should let it go. However, if you decide to pursue it, read the listing contract with the agent very carefully. It may not say anything about the agent being at the closing.

Trueheart..... I think the geography got in the way, although with the Rocky Mountains it might have been geology!

Bernie, where are you in Colorado? (You have probably said, but my brain is like a sieve these days.)