I have to share my recent frustrations on getting and giving feedback when showing listings.  We, as agents, are part of a large but very intertwined community. Chances are you will show many listings of a particular agent in your market over time.  You may even coop with them on a few.  Since we rely on each other to coop, show and sell each other's listings, why is it so hard to get timely and detailed feedback?

I check my listings every day for showings.  I then send an email with 7-10 quick questions asking the agent to rank the listing on a 1-5 scale.  You can respond to the email at your leisure and it shouldn't take more than 30-90 seconds depending on how much info you share.  Why is it that about 50% of my feedback requests are ignored?  I even follow up with a phone call and about 50% of those don't get returned.

Common courtesy, professionalism and at least self-preservation dictate that an agent at least provide a basic response.

On the giving side of feedback.  Since I want your feedback, I am glad to give you mine.  However, don't call me 30 minutes after I have shown your home.  Not only do you look desperate but I am most likely either still with my clients or just finished a long day of showing.  Also, by calling me, you are relying on me to remember your listing and provide open ended feedback.

My recommendation is to follow-up the next day with an email and photos and ask me what you want to know.  How can you compare feedback from agents when they are giving you their opinion and not providing anything measurable?  Lastly, if you do send an email, make sure it has photos or links to photos so I can remember the listing.

In this difficult market, I feel that we need to support each other and respect each other enough to provide feedback.  This information is critical to all of being successful.  The more homes that sell and the sooner they sell creates a stronger market.  Personally, I also like to coop with agents I can count on and that can sometimes make the difference in a deal.

What are your thoughts?