It is very frustrating to deal with, as a busy agent trying to do businesss with these agents.  It happens.  A lot.

I do not understand either!  I  called an agenet for a showing.  I called for 4 days with text, email and leaving messages.  The agent never called me or anything else.  My buyer was disappointed.

Michael - I do not understand this either, but I have had this issue with many agents when I try and call to set up a showing, or ask questions about a listing.

I think Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI, might be onto something when they say these agents may have day jobs, and are only part-time agents.

I thank them all the time for they make the rest of us who answer look good

When I have this problem, I call their broker to see if someone else can help me. If it's the brokers listing even better to let them know. If you cannot return your calls in a timely manner, I will try not to do business with you.

Good morning Michael. That is a bit crazy, but to each his own. They may not need the money or have little desire to get ahead.

Don't even get me started on that. I suspect, there is a kind of secret code for those agents( that I'm not aware of) not to answer the phone or call back.

I don't get that either, Michael. Although I've been guilty of letting my voicemail get full. I save a lot of voicemails and sometimes they build up.

A lot of them are not really in business, just trolling around hoping to collect a few bucks when a friend or relative buys or sells then they can either do a poor job or pass it on to someone who can do the job for a big fat referral fee.

No but I do understand your frustration!

I don't know, but good for MY business.

Hi Michael,  That has always been one of my thought.  Do they not want the money?

Their telephones aren't answered because the shoe store they work at only lets them use their phones during breaks. These are not professional agents working full time.

Sometimes the voicemail will blow-up with inquiries if they have a hot property.   If that happens, it's usually a good idea to contact the Designated Broker.  They can deal with whatever is going on.  In general, though, it's not the successful agents that allow this to happen. 

We see it all the time.

I have run into this too, but usually are part timers and do not care.

Michael Thornton I don't understand it either.

Hi Michael -- it depends on the situation -- trying to make an appointment to show a property or in the middle of a transaction.

Overall, it's pretty rare and when I do encounter it --- I remember it -- life is too short to try to make a transaction work if it's this difficult to schedule an appointment.

If it is a transaction already in place -- I use alternate contact methods to try to reach them and keep track of my attempts.   Email. Text.  Call.  Go to office.  Speak with broker.  Third parties.  Uncle Vito.    

The only explanation I have is Real Estate  isn't their primary source of income.  Part time agents unable to answer the phone during other work hours?  Agents doing just easy "friends and family"  business. Unfortunately the sellers they are working with  don't understand the agent's work ethic or availability truly impact their ability to get the  home sold for top dollar.  I often wonder about the other skills these agents may be light on, ie follow-up, paperwork and the ALL important ability to negotiate...the offering price, the home inspection repairs and the appraiser.

So frustrating. 

They can't be making much money. 

The same thing happens here and has puzzled me for years. I buyers and sellers simply took the time to hire a better agent and not any agent, this could be cured. 

Michael... certainly a mystery! And don't forget the ones who don't check their email but every few days! (Yes, there are those, too!)

Many people, especially in the millenial generation, tend to not use their phones as phones and many of these people do not check voicemail very often.  They prefer that you contact them via other methods.

I got nothing.  But I feel your pain.  I reguarly get that full mailbox mess and resort to texting them to call me.

No I don't if it is the norm for them. I have occasionally gotten a full voicemail and wasn't aware but when I found out I quickly cleared it out

Michael,

I am curious, out of all the agents that you know, how many do that?  A

Miracles happen all the time Michael.  There is no other explaination.

understand yes, get frustrated yes. will it change ? maybe a bit... when the % commish goes down so far that they cant sit on their behinds and not do much. In all fairness, the vast majority work hard, and the vast majority dont make a lot...but the winds of change are coming