There are moments in real estate that make you stop, blink and wonder if you somehow slipped into an alternate universe. Yesterday was one of those days.
I got a call from a very nice couple – Texas plates, vacation rental booked, ready to buy a home on the mountain. They had done everything right. Found a property online, scheduled a showing with the listing agent, even lined up a handful of other homes to tour. Plane tickets? Check. Lodging? Check. Motivation? Absolutely.
Then Thursday morning rolled around.
The listing agent texted them: It was “too far” to come up the mountain and she wouldn’t be making it.
That was it. No reschedule. No backup plan. No referral to another agent. Just a casual shrug via text message to buyers who had traveled across state lines to see her listing.
Let’s call this what it is: not just unprofessional, but spectacularly negligent.
This wasn’t just a missed appointment – it was a direct failure to represent the seller. The very person who trusted that agent to market, show and ultimately sell their home. Apparently, it wasn’t too far to drive up and get the listing signed or plant a sign in the yard. But showing the home to qualified, motivated buyers? Suddenly, that was a bridge too far.
Here’s where the story takes a turn.
Because those buyers still wanted a home.
By the time I connected with them, it was too late in the day for formal showings, but we made a plan. The next morning, we hit the ground running. By that afternoon, they had written an offer.
Now imagine being the seller in this situation. Somewhere out there is a homeowner who may never even realize that a ready, willing and able buyer almost slipped through their fingers – not because of price, condition or market timing – but because their agent didn’t feel like making the drive.
That’s not just unfortunate. That’s expensive.
In mountain communities like ours, local knowledge isn’t a luxury, it’s the job. Roads, access, weather, showing logistics, relationships with other agents… this isn’t a market you “wing” from down the hill. If your agent treats your listing like an inconvenience, buyers will feel it and deals will quietly disappear.
The lesson here is simple: When you hire an agent who can’t be bothered to show up, you’re the one paying the price.
Literally.
Theresa Grant is a real estate broker and columnist covering Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Running Springs, and the surrounding mountain communities. Reach her at (909) 442-1345 visit www.HomesInLakeArrowhead.com, and follow her on social media @TheresaGrantRealtor. Theresa is a Broker Associate with REAL Broker Technologies. DRE#01202881.
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