I'll stop taking listings at around 50!  

Haven't gotten there yet.  

Listings are where the money is.  You can manage many more listings than you can buyers.  

that's an interesting aproach. I'm with joe, I'll stop at 50. I WILL turn them down if they're overpriced.

I don't stop taking but do run away from overpriced listings and unreasonable sellers.

I do limit the number of listings I have though I don't have a predetermined "limit" ... it depends on how demanding the current listings (and sellers) are. I just cancelled two this week (one at my advice ... will be bringing it back in 3 months and the other one ... well I didn't want to fire the seller, so I was hoping to get fired instead :-), so I am open to new ones! ... as to how I determine my limit ... basically, once I get to the point of not being able to ... in my mind ... connect the right seller to the right listing at the correct price ... that means I am losing it and can't accept any more.

We have 25 listings as of today, 21 of them are my personal clients and my 2 agents have 2 each.

I can take more but only if they are saleable listings with cooperative sellers.

I could probably handle 50 or more, using Michaela's limit as a barometer.

Organized files with complete information--hard copy in file and in folders on every computer I use except my BBerry is how I can keep it all straight.

As long as I can get to the info, I'm good . . .

Joe is right on--listings are ''legal tender" in our business. I went thru a phase of wanting to be just a buyer's agent but I really like marketing listings. Plus, until the public perception changes or is made to change regarding exclusivity with buyers, you have less trouble getting paid as an LA. . . :)

I have heard of others having good success with this approach. Please tell us more about how you see it "working" for you. How do you havdle inquiries, etc.

Whenever I have listing paperwork, data sheets, SPDS, etc, I scan the packet to PDF IF it wasn't already delivered that way (I e-sign a lot of my clients).

I have a folder in my Docs file called 'Active Listings' . Each listing gets its own subfolder designated by the address of the property and seller's last name.  123 Mockingbird--Addams  would be an example.

I e-mail the packet to myself at home and to my office, and if I need to, my laptop. Each of those has a file.

The agents do this as well, e-mailing me all the stuff in addition. That way I'm not clueless about their listings either.

In Outlook Express I also have a file; the packet I send myself goes in there too so I can e- it quickly AND I create a rule where the seller's e-mail automatically drops into the corresponding folder.

May seem redundant but wherever I am, I can get that info to someone--or refresh my own memory.

A lot of the information I post to the MLS listing. As long as it doesn't contain sensitive info about the seller.

That way, agents or buyers can immediately see the SPDS, the well inspection, plat maps, sewer or other type of assessment statement, etc. before a transaction. No whining "But we didn't know about . .. "

I have another file, "Deals in Progress" which the folder will move to when it becomes a deal.

If it's cancelled, it goes to "Cancelled Listings"

If it's closed, "Closed Transactions"

etc etc.

It's easy to find that way . . .

And if heaven forbid, there's an audit or a crash, there are backups  . ..

Naw, I wouldnt limit listings- I'd just hire an assistant or two! :)

I love the title of this thread.

(No, we won't take your listing! )

My answer ( We don't have any buyers)

So I limited myself to One, one at a time...:)

Vance

Having systems in place is the key for handling listings.  Checklists are wonderful things.  Have the same checklist & time line for each listing and disregard the items that don't apply (i.e., septic inspection).  Use a task reminder or a tickler file and you're set to handle the idiosyncrasies (emphasis on "crasies") of each seller.

I much prefer listings to buyers.

Sharron - if you've earned it, being rich is ALWAYS good for you.

"Also, maybe this is silly, but I am newer to this business. I would like to earn a great reputation as a really hard worker for both my buyers and sellers. So far, my sellers have been bragging about me to their neighbors, family and friends. They cannot believe how much time I have spent helping them. Even if their property does not sell, they are thrilled with my efforts!"

Doesn't sound silly to me. Sounds like a plan. And a damn good one.

Not only not silly, Sharron it's the secret to longevity in this business.  :)

I was originally hired as the office manager for my firm and has just begun to take listings and work with buyers on a regular basis.  I only have 14 listings right now, but I have found the key to keeping your sellers happy is to under-promise and over-deliver.  I make a committment to each of my sellers in writing and make sure that I will be able to uphold to that committment before agreeing to take on the listing.  I am the king of checklists and having multiple calendars hanging around my desk (each for a specific task) and find that this is the only way that I can keep it all straight.  Although I haven't limited myself to a specific number of listings, when I start having trouble keeping everything straight that is where I will draw the line.  I have turned down multiple listings due to the seller wanting too much money and having unreasonable expectations of me...never be afraid to say no!  I have a walk-away point in mind when I go back on my second visit to give the seller the results of my pricing analysis both on price and expectations and I have never been afraid of saying no to an unreasonable listing...I actually turned down the first property that I did a pricing analysis for when I had no listings in my inventory...and then sold a house the same day...it all works out in the end:)

NOT SILLY, NOT SILLY, UNSILLY, CONVERSE OF SILLY, ANTI-SILLY . . . lol

Then again, taking advice from a waterskiing caricature seriously . . . . ummm . . . ROFL

LOL! You nailed it, Sharron!

The fountain of youth is in your head . . . and everyone, no underage drinking . . .