I'm sorry, but the "A" for "Active" status on the MLS does NOT mean....................
"A"sk me and maybe I'll tell you if I feel like it.
"A"fter I make up my mind if I really should change the status, maybe I will
"A"dvertising that the property is still available so that I can fish out more buyer leads
"A"t the time, it seemed like a good idea
"A"fter I get an answer from the bank, then I'll change it
"A"sk me, and I'll probably lie to you and say I forgot to change the status
"A"fter I accepted an offer in writing, I really wasn't sure if they were good buyers, so I'm leaving it for now
"A"fter the buyer removes contingencies, I'll think about it
"A"ll this time I thought my assistant was supposed to change it
"A"dd that to my To-Do list
I can't tell you how many times over the past few months I've called an agent on a listing that was showing as active and when I contact them with showing instructions, they've given me some convoluted reason why they already have an accepted offer but "forgot" to change the status to Pending or Backup.
So many times I'll have a buyer get excited about a home, want to see it, and then when I get the scoop on the property, I find out that they have an accepted offer. Then my client wants to know why it's showing as available and I have to try and explain to them why it's not, and have to explain why the listing agent is such a Lame-O.
Or better yet, the property shows as Active, vacant on lockbox, I show the property to my buyer, they love it, I call to get info on the property, and the listing agent tells me they have an accepted offer.
Do they realize how they are wasting my and everyone else's valuable time by not doing what they're supposed to do and change the status on the MLS?
Boy, let me tell you, I am VERY trigger happy with the "Report A Violation" button on my MLS these days.
It's really simple: Just do what your supposed to do and don't try to manipulate the system, and everything and everyone will be just fine.
Once you have an accepted offer, change the status to either Pending or Backup (or similar, depending on the status terms of your local MLS).
The best thing to do, if you're unsure about an offer that you've accepted, is to change the status to "Backup Offers" so that the property can still be marketed and visible to buyers.
Is that too difficult? This way, everyone can have the right to make their own decision about the property and not be mislead.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Knowledge is King, TRANSPARENCY is Queen........
