Today I worked on a market analysis for a very nice 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath 2 story house in Bolingbrook. Part of my analysis involves looking at the current competition for a home, so I went to both multiple listings systems for the Chicago area and tried to lookup information on a home I saw for sale a few doors down. I couldn’t find anything in either of the multiple listing systems (MLSs).
I then went to the listing broker’s web site and tried to find information on the home. Still no luck. It wasn’t listed as one of their homes for sale or a closed sale.
As a last resort, I called the broker’s phone number. I explained that I was trying to get some basic information on one of their listings. I was informed that no one was available to give me the information, but I could leave a message.
I went back to the broker’s web site. They advertise themselves as a discount reale estate broker providing “full service”. Their definition of “full service” is obviously quite different from mine.
- If a listing can’t be found on both MLSs, the broker is not providing “full service”.
If a listing can’t be found on the broker’s web site, the broker is not providing “full service”.
If a phone call to the broker’s office during normal business hours doesn’t put you through to someone who can answer your questions, the broker is not providing “full service”.
Part of the service that a broker provides is making information about their client’s homes as readily accessible as possible. Home buyers are like any other buyers, they want information NOW.
It appears that the only “service” this seller has received so far from their discount broker is a “for sale” sign in their front yard which is more effective advertising the broker than selling the house.
Fran Bailey specializes in downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park and Lake View condos, co-op apartments and houses. She has shared home buying and selling advice since 2006 and written about over 130 Chicago high rises. To schedule showings for any listings, get a 
