Praful,

Don't sweat the small stuff...It is all small stuff..Sister Carita (an artist and a wise woman.

I welcome the opportunity to talk about and listen to questions/ inquiries about my listings or any serious real estate matter - bring 'em on.

Some people do this in a fast market to get a feel for the true status of the property, they want to know if you are considering another offer before letting their client fall in love with the home.

No one reads. Yesterday I had a call from an agent asking why she couldn't schedule an appointment on-line for one of my listing for the next hour. The MLS listing information says in capital letters: 4 HOUR NOTICE REQUIRED. Ooops! Not worth getting excited about.

I always look at the showing instructions and follow-them unless.....

they result in no response.

If the instructions say to use showing time and then no one gets back to me in a reasonable timeframe, then I look for a person to call. The office and/or agent.

If the instructions say to send an email somewhere or text someone and no one responds in a reasonable timeframe, then I look for a person to call.

The only time I remember seeing specific instructions "Do Not Contact Listing Agent" is for REO listings.

This has become so annoying that I am considering removing my cell phone number from the MLS.

We as listing agents use online showing assist and operator based showing services to help us take less calls and free up more time in our day. Unfortunately, most agents have no concept of this because they don't do enough business to respect their own time, much less another agents. 

How do I handle it? Well, I usually bite my tongue and politely refer them back to the mls showing instructions. 

They do this because they don't read directions!

I would simply respond with the proper number to call. 

It would annoy me, BUT I would not be acting in the best interest of my client if I did not request the appointment for him. Like Ron and Alexandra said.. don't sweat the small stuff... It could be the showing that sells your lisiting. It could also present an opporutnity to find out a little more about the buyers.  

Hahaha, this is like my Q why do agents call before reading the answer in MLS? It's rhetorical!

I'm not calling the listing agent unless I need to about something in particular. I don't want to waste their time or mine.

The truly frightening thing is 'how someone does something is how they will do everything', and if they can't follow simple showing instructions, will they be able to follow the terms of a contract?

Having said all this, we don't use showing services in my area, and my showing instructions are usually to call or text me for access if it's not 'on LB, go and show'.
And the agents that text me are my personal favorites.💗💗💗

I confess, I am guilty of this. Here are some of my reasons:

• Sometimes I know the listing agent and want them to know that I want to connect with them personally. 
• Once in a while, the listing Agent may recommend that I show a second or even a third listing to this or another Buyer.
• I believe starting with a personal connection with the listing agent can pay off when I present the offer.
• Sometimes I have questions about the property that are not explained in the MLS report.
• I want answers that can help me better know how to present the property to my Buyer.
• I absolutely HATE Showing Time and other services. They do not give me any answers that will help me know how to set priorities on which properties to show and which ones to skip.
• If the listing Agent is too busy to talk with me, that is a sign that he is just too busy to work with me.

My response is a question:   WHY OR WHY WHY WHY would the instructions be:  do not contact this listing agent???????????
Is this one of those FSBO ... non FSBO listings?

I think sometimes it is just a human error.  I have accidentally done this myself, but it is also a good time to verify the home is still available for sale. Some properties go under contract and the agent didn't have time, or didn't change the status.

Just wish them well and give them some of your joyful humor!

I would think an agent who would make a statement like that does not care about the clients best interest.

Debe Maxwell, CRS nailed this one!

I would never take a listing where another agent would contact my seller direct. I see them with MLS listings only and the sellers are often clueless what it takes to sell their home hindering their own sale. But if the instructions say call seller, i call seller if my8 buyer really wants to see

I politely tell them to call CSS or go online to www.showings.com

I have never understood why listing agents put "Do not contact listing agent" in the showing instructions.

It is the listing agent's job to SELL the property, not just list it and that attitude does not serve the seller's best interests.

I have never used a showing service for any of my listings and never will for many reasons.

I recently had out of state buyers in town for a week to find a new home and most of the listings were via showing sevices. First day out it was after 7pm when I got home to set up a tour for the next day via showing services.

An auto reply was sent on over half the properties that showing was subject to seller approval and seller would be contacted after 8am the next day!

So...I called the agents I knew and emailed the other agents on those listings to schedule. It was a waste of my time and duplication of effort for me to have to use the showing service then have to call/email the listing agents.

I just had an agent do that recently. Completely ignored the Showing Instructions which said to contact the seller for the appointment. She was declined with a message that said to contact the owner. She went to the owner & made a big fuss about how the LA declined her showing. The homeowner thought I did something wrong. The buyer's agent actually didn't follow the instructions & then tried to use the word "Declined" to act as if I wasn't letting her into the listing- even though it was simply a redirection. It soured my seller. The buyer's agent got a call from me & of course she explained how she did this all very innocently.

I think some agents are just stupid people & other's get a kick out of not following the rules & stirring up trouble. 

Most of the agents in our area use a centralized showing service to avoid these calls.

People Don't Read 

It comes with the job. Be prepared and show some restraint. It is your blood pressure!

I would be embarrassed to have an instruction like that in the MLS. I've been hired to sell a property and whatever I need to do is how it gets done. If need be I know how to redirect a call when it's warranted. 

I would hope that you have it clearly marketed as an online request only.

Again, an agent that is not using her brain or spectacles. I'd ask them to make an appt like the listing sheet says.

    My company policy requires that all listing appointments be scheduled through Showing Time.  If you don't have access to ST, or if you don't know how to use it, please contact the Board Office... they will assist you. 

     Thanks for showing my listing, bring me an offer and I will make it work!

Curiosity still kills cats....

No idea.

I would advise that agent to follow the showing instructions.

So, who they have to contact?

I remind them to refer to showing instructions and to follow up with sellers to schedule date and time.

many buyer agents don't read or follow instructions....not all....but many.... my response would be to follow the instructions in MLS.... 

That answer is easy... they don't read the showing instructions.... that being said, it's still my listing so should that situation occur, I'll assist in setting the appointment...  (depending on how the call went, my "thoughts" about the agent may vary)

I get calls all the time if I have a contract on the property , If I did I would cange it to under contract.

Cordially, with respect and appreciation.

I get a lot of calls, and they need to set thru CSS, I don't mind.