Memo to neighborhoods: Don't make it harder than it already is for homeowners to sell
Real estate agent Nancy McCord writes in with a problem: She's trying to sell a home in a condo community in Columbia and is feeling hampered by the property-management company. It's quick to tow cars that don't have an approved-to-park-here sticker, she said -- which includes prospective buyers.
"The management company is closed by 2:30pm on Fri. and opens again Monday mornings. Realtors do most of their showings on weekends. It is at the realtor's risk to show during the weekend," she writes.
"I have tried to get the management company to see what damage they are doing their own residents by not making it easier to show properties there," she added. "Not only should they help sellers, but encourage them. Without the fees from the owners, there is no money to pay the management company. I know of at least some residents that have been towed and are very angry about it. I've tried to reach the association - made up of owners but to no avail."
This is a new one on me. Has anyone else had trouble of this sort -- either getting towed while looking at a home or hearing that your prospective buyers are being hassled? What would you suggest in this case?
The market is hard enough for home sellers, so you'd hope your neighborhood isn't unwittingly making it worse.
Categories: Neighborhood and neighbors
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Comments
A friend of ours who was a Baltimore city school teacher at the time had her car towed as she was moving into a place in Towson across from Target. Basically all the guest spots were taken that were reasonably close. It was really kind of crazy. They had zero remorse. I thought at the very least you would get a little help from being a Baltimore city school teacher trying to make a difference.
Posted by: A | August 16, 2011 4:48 PM
In trying not to be a smarty pants, but why hasn't the realtor gone back to owners of the property & just lay it out.... "your managment company is not helping, tell them to back off & help or you won't be able to sell the property" kinda thing. If the seller is truly motivated I would expect them to march up to the management company and chew them a new one.
I know if my car was towed while i was looking at a property then I would be highly upset & not go back.
If it is really that bad, why
not go to the BBB & file a complaint against the towing company & the management company, could be they are in "bed togetther" with the towing company. I've never seen a towing company tow that quickly unless they "know something", think baltimore towing scandle all over again.
Posted by: pigtown girl | August 17, 2011 12:52 PM
The Owners could request that the Management Company give "Guest" Approved To Park Here stickers for prospective Buyers and the Agents. So, anyone that had a property for sale could get "Guest" Mirror Hangers while they were looking at the Units.
The Owner could also bring it up at a Condo Meeting on how to accommodate prospective Buyers and Agents and get other Owners suggestions.
It would also be very easy if they had a front desk were people could register and get a Guest parking pass good for an hour that they could hang from their rear view Mirror.
I do understand the prompt towing though. There is so little parking in Towson and there are those that take advantage and the parking is reserved for Owners only. It would be really frustrating to be an Owner and not have a spot to park.
Posted by: Anita | August 20, 2011 9:24 PM
I've been on the board of my condo association for about 4 years, and I found out the property manager was dragging his feet when the Realtor asked for the condo documents (needed for closing). I had a quick come-to-Jesus with the PM and other association members, and reminded them that if this sale falls through, it's bad for everyone. I didn't hear anymore complaints from the Realtor, and the sale closed, so I think it got fixed quickly.
Posted by: krismae76 | August 25, 2011 4:55 PM