Top 10 pet peeves about listing agents

Things that actually happened to us in our Boston area home search - some more than once.

1. Trailing us around the house like a puppy. One guy chased us to the basement to ask if we liked the place. Shoo!

2. Inventing non-existent competition. The puppy also claimed he "expected four offers" that day; two months later, it's still on the market.

3. Trying to woo us even after we announce we're working with a buyer's agent. (Hello? Code of ethics?)

4. Not knowing the property (Thousands of bucks in commission, and you don't know which direction the patio faces?)

5. Unauthorized physical affection. One agent unctuously patted Jordan on the back, in a horribly misguided effort to seal the deal.

6. Insulting our intelligence. In early January we were breathlessly informed that "the Spring market has already started!"

7. Referring to obvious structural problems as "deferred maintenance"

8. "Accidentally" miscounting the bathrooms in the listing sheet (Didn't think we'd notice?)

9. Pitching a different listing than the house we're in (I wonder what the seller would think if they knew?).

10. Intoning, "location, location, location" at any time. Extra penalty for tossing in "the American Dream."

Memo to listing agents: Buyers will make you a deal. You treat us like grown-ups, and we'll buy your houses.