No Co-Broking?

By Robin Shapiro

During these days of low inventory, some local brokers don’t like to co-broke. Some of them resist co-broking even in times of normal inventory. However, these same brokers frequently call to show my listings to their clients thus ASKING ME to co-broke – not exactly the “golden rule.” I always act in the best interests of my clients. Nevertheless, it is tempting to teach the non-co-brokers a lesson and throw their own words back at them.

Here are a few of the comments (even on brand new listings) I hear from brokers who don’t want to co-broke:

“Seller wants me to bring in my buyers first. We already have multiple offers. If anything changes, I’ll let you know.”

“The seller has a handshake deal with a buyer and is waiting for the buyer to sell his existing home.”  (For months!, by the way.)

“There’s an accepted offer and the house is about to go into contract.”

Do you believe the above excuses?   Often, the listing remains on the market for many weeks after one of these comments which adds to the suspicion that the broker was not truthful. The real estate market tends to slow up at this time of year – often called “the summer doldrums.” Nevertheless, some business does get done.  People are not on vacation or at the beach all the time.

Call me. Love, Robin.