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In challenging markets...like the one we currently face...it's difficult to find new clients.
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176 Comments on 5 Reasons for Firing A Client
Larry,
Ihave hung on to my worst clients the longest, I finally let 2 go for 2 of the reasons you mentioned.
One was especially troublesome, she had a friend who knew everthing in this little town. She even knew what the last accepted but failed offer was! We made an absurd offer based on this friends advice and were answered with option 4. When I gave her the earnest money back she said her friend wanted one of my cards too. I ran like the wind,but did give her another card. Haven't heard from either one---Thank God!
Larry & friends! I have let a few clients go. These were people who were totally disrespectful. I work like a dog, but I don't wish to be treated like one... they left at the pound... ; ) I love the words. "We teach people how to treat us." I think for the professional agents in our industry, we would all like to see a little more respect for what we do. ~ JC
Larry, I guess I didn't really "fire" my seller this week, just suggested that if he wasn't prepared to lower the list price of his townhouse and to accept a lower offer, he might consider taking his condo off the market. He did that yesterday, and we parted in a friendly manner. He'll re-list with me (if I'm willing) once the market turns (and the condos/townhouses he might have a l-o-o-o-n-g wait.)
Nice to have that load off my shoulders--frees me up to concentrate on other business (like the duplex I listed 2 weeks ago that sold today!)
Larry,
There is enough 'drama' in real estate without the additional burden of the kinds of buyers and sellers you mentioned. Enough is enough!
Michael
How about when seller's say they know more about the real estate market than their agents. We give them advice on what price they need to be at and they complain it's too low and they will never "give it away". Then the house sits on the market for 6 months or longer with hardly any activity, and no offers. The whole time complaining that we aren't doing enough, then they re-list with someone else, AT THE SAME PRICE. Then eventually it sinks in that they are at the wrong price and agree to lower it to the price they should have been at all along, it gets an offer and all of a sudden it was because of their great idea to price the house properly that it sells. Oh my god, this was a great post, I could sit here all night and tell everybody some horror stories. Had a listing a few years ago and the owner was in a bad financial situation and needed to sell fast. We priced the house low and got the offers up to 10k over asking price. Then the guy and his wife moved out of state, only 1 hour away. He refused to come back into town to sign the contracts. I said ok, i'll fax them to you, give me a fax number. He tells me he doesn't have access to one and won't go to a staples or copy shop to use the fax. Then he won't tell me where he is currently living, so I can't overnight them to him. Finally after some begging, the contracts get signed. Then after inspections, he has to make some repairs. He asks me to handle it for him and he will pay me back at closing. I hesitated, but said ok. He started complaining to his attorney that I was picking the highest priced people so I could make money off of him. I was having friends of mine in the construction industry do the work for much lower than they would normally charge. He started complaining that he could find someone to do it for less. I said ok, find someone. His response, I can't, I don't have the time or a phone book to look someone up, I'll have to do it. So, I would call some local places and all much higher prices. Then he would start complaing that the work was being done wrong. Then he would complain to his attorney that I was messing up the deal for him, and it wasn't going to close because of me. I broke my vacuum cleaning his house for him. There was so much dust and dirt it was disgusting. After all his crap, he couldn't even shake my hand or say thank you at the closing, grabbed his check and left..
When it isn't working move along, it will oftern work out better in the end!
Larry,
Thanks for your timely post.
No matter the business, there are as many possibilities for "slips through the wrungs" as there are stars in the sky.
After 13+ years of doing what I do, my mantra has become, "Have I learned the lesson?" There's always a lesson to be learned when a client relationship starts to turn (and, then, decidedly flips) from good to not-so-good to get-me-out-of-this.
Perhaps the responsiblity is with me, perhaps the repsonsibility is with the client. Often, I know, there's a shared responsibility.
Nevertheless, when a client saps my energies, consistenly nit-picks my attentions, either can't or won't accept shared responsibility for the "muddle"/conundrum; and, generally, is worth more out of my life than in my life, it's time to realize that, communicate that clearly and concisely, cut to the chase and ... let them go.
Oft time it f l o w s. Sometimes it goes belly up.
The next lesson I'm endeavoring to learn is - can I tell the difference before a client and I get into the "muddle."
Any tips?
What say you, please?
Regards,
Jessan
Larry - Jessan above asks about tips on how to recognize people we should have never taken on as clients. After nearly eight years in the mortgage business, I feel fortunate that I haven't had to fire many clients (I include Realtor referral partners in that group) and they do seem to be getting farther and fewer between too. I'd like to think that just maybe, I'm getting better at screening them out from the get-go.
Like Jessan, I try and look for the lessons that I can learn when I have made a mistake in my business or in my dealings with a client. As for the times that I had to fire a client, in retrospect, I often find that there were signs from the beginning that I either overlooked or chose to ignore; clues of what nasty characteristic was simmering just below that smiling, friendly face. Call if gut feelings, women's intuition or some kind of third sense but whatever it is, I pay more attention to it now than I did before.
Is this strategy 100% foolproof? Of course not (some people are really good at masking their true intentions and/or character)! If it were, we wouldn't be having this discussion now. However, I truly believe that this strategy has greatly reduced the number of "bad" clients that I have taken on.
So, that's my advice to Jessan. Try to interview your prospects as thoroughly as possible before you decide to take them on as clients. It just may reveal some very telling insights into what you can expect and just may save you some grief as well. Sorry for the long comment (probably would have made a better blog post) but I just felt that Jessan's questions was important and wanted to offer my .02.
Love the post - its great support that everyone has shared their experiences. I have wanted to fired some in the past and building the STRENGHT to be smart and fire a seller soon, nice people but too unrealistic. I do hate to desert them but I cannot sell the home for what they need $$ and by the time frame they want. Bet I let them know sooner than later. Strenght - Strenght - Strenght. I am not a wuss but hate letting people down. I do need to work on BRUSHING IT OFF. any advise there?
Thanks, Jo
This is a great blog and valid comments. Living in Charleston, SC, I have had to be careful not to become a tour guide. When working with buyers, one of my first questions is "Have you been pre-qualified?" This simple question helps everyone involved. Some buyers have no idea how much they can qualify for and are in the wrong price range.
Thank you, Sharon
How about the buyer who you take to see a properties but the she needs you to make second appointments so she can bring her friends to see them too?! I'm fine with clients bringing whoever they'd like, but can't we do it all at once instead of having to make multiple appointments?!
Donne & Jo,
Yes, indeed - "use head, trust gut" - absolutely! Over & over... Time. Experience. Memory.
...and, how much more are you letting someone down if you're not enthusiastic and committed? If you know there's a problem and you've clearly listened and communicated and, still, there's a problem --- best for you and for client to move on. One's strength comes from considered options and communications + knowing that ya' cannot please everyone all the time. Don't brush 'em off; simply, let 'em go.
:: 2 cents more in the pot ::
Thanks ~
Jessan
After reading this article few days ago, I am firing, firing and firing, ... It is like cleaning up my website of overpriced properties and actually firing disrepectful clients. Two fired already, another one in line for tomorrow! I will not waste my time anymore!
Alex Canalez / Belize Real Estate Marketer
I di not read every comment, but what about low offer joe. The guy that just writes low offer after low offer until a seller bites, can his a-- quick.
some valid points, communication is huge, if you have good communication the other things I think should become easier
I agree with all 5 points you made and just have one to add - personality clash! I've referred a client to another agent (for free) because I felt it would be a better fit. I've only run across a couple of male clients who just will not take advice from a woman. I didn't think those guys still existed but sadly they do.
This is an element of our business that Realtor should do more often.
My favorite of the five are #1 and #5. These two really get my goat.
I put a value on myself. My time is money.
For each property I show, I break it down to a dollar amount to how much it's cost me to show them that house - usually $25/property if I'm showing multiple in one day, $50 if it's only one that they want to see. If the buyers haven't shown any initiative to write an offer after the 10th property, I reassess the situation and may have to reassign the buyer to another agent.
Furthermore, if the property is marketed for less than $100K, I won't even show it. If the buyer wants it that bad, they can put in an offer subject to inspection.
Depending on the buyer, my Buyer Broker Agreement may reflect that I will charge a contingency for my services. If they don't like it, too bad. My job is to find a ready, willing and able buyer for the seller, not to be a tour guide.
If buyers were subject to a per-per-view of every property they wanted to see, they would be very careful of what they ask for.
Dear Mr or Mrs Seller.
I appreciate the opportunity that you have given me in marketing your property but moving forward, I would like to withdraw from our listing agreement together. As a professional, I base my business on hard work, honesty, and mutual trust and feel as though I have done all that I can to get you maximum dollar for your property. I have attached a withdrawal form to this email for signature and wish you luck with your sale in the future.
Sincerely,
The agent who knows their stuff.