investor that was seeking REO properties down the hill in Moreno Valley, Perris, and Ontario. The market in these areas is seeing multiple offers within hours of being on the MLS.

After all, NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY IN OUR LOCAL MARKET, as I told someone at a wedding that I attended Saturday after overhearing him try to convince someone else otherwise (Note to self: carry business cards even to weddings!).

The investor I had been working with was trying to purchase income properties but each time we put in an offer in for an REO property we were 1 of 12 or 23 or anywhere in the void of non-acceptance. People are bidding on REO properties with either their heart or the eBay-mentality of shopping victoriously.

One day, I called an REO agent about an offer we placed on his listing on a Thursday. The agent said that there were about eight offers, and he would let me know after Tuesday. I didn't hear anything. So I called Wednesday morning.

He wasn't in the office, so I was sent to his assistant. Before even giving him the name of the client, myself, or the property, he said that the property was won by someone else (won?). I asked nicely how he knew that when I didn't give him my name or information. He said — and I somewhat quote — "Look, the other assistant already called the winner (winner again?) and you would have received a call if it had been you."

I was stunned into silence by the tone of his voice, as if I was keeping him from doing his job. I hung up.

Is this the first time an REO agent has treated me this way with this type of attitude? Yes. But unfortunately I have been talked down to several times while doing REO transactions — that is if I even get a response from the agent.

What has been your experience with REOs? How do you deal with difficult agents?

Amy Steele is a full-time REALTOR® with Bibby Realty in Crestline, Calif.