Real Estate Blog - MEMORIES AT ACTIVERAIN!. . . . "DON'T TELL MY AGENTS I'M SENDING BUSINESS AWAY"

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MEMORIES AT ACTIVERAIN!. . . . "DON'T TELL MY AGENTS I'M SENDING BUSINESS AWAY"

Robert Swetz inspired me to go back, way back, to an article posted on December 10, 2006. While I generally pass on contests, this one managed by Robert Swetz, got my attention.

MEMORIES AT ACTIVERAIN??? Goodness, I have so many ActiveRain memories. From my first blog post on August 13, 2006, ActiveRain has been a wonderful adventure that reaches out to the real estate world.

The message is still important. Your business is your business and, if you operate your real estate business in an honest, ethical and diligent manner, you have a good chance of success. This article was posted in December 2006 with the message that, "WE ARE NOT DOORMATS" and need to run our real estate business based on our individual missions, policies and procedures. If that requires that we "send business away", so be it.

I'm still around.

ENJOY!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T TELL MY AGENTS I'M SENDING BUSINESS AWAY

I know that the market is slow. I know that good buyers are hard to come by around here. BUT,

I refuse to become a Doormat DOOR MAT ! ! ! !

I've sent two buyers away in one day. It wasn't easy.

BUYER # 1. Gentleman was in the $1,200,000 range to buy a home in Northern Virginia.

He wanted an agent full time last two weeks in December.
He wanted reference information on our recent sales.
He wanted to avoid dual agency.
He wanted, he wanted, he wanted.

His demands were unreasonable and we refused to comply. What does it take for a buyer to lose an agent???

Also, he wouldn't provide a phone number so our luxury home agent could speak with him. Three e-mails from him asking for more, more, more. But, he ignored our request to speak directly with him. For three days we went back and forth. We finally told him we weren't interested, GOOD LUCK. We met his criteria and we should have been able to speak with him to determine IF WE WANTED TO REPRESENT HIM. I'll go a long way by e-mail for a buyer, but sooner or later, especially when time is short, you need to speak.

So, one luxury buyer sent away. My experience is that when folks are difficult before you begin the work, they are going to be difficult during and probably after the job is done. My agents, affiliates and friends know that I am very proud of what we do. We do a spectacular job. Our agents work hard and long to satisfy a buyer or seller's needs. But, when we are not treated with equal respect, that's when I become like a Lioness with new cubs and a pack of Jackals are stalking. So, down went the luxury home buyers for Northern Virginia.

NEXT was the Seller / Buyer who had a town home to sell in Maryland and wanted to buy a home in Northern Virginia. I assured him that we did, indeed, provide a FREE One Year Home Warranty for our buyers and that I would pay his home inspection cost up to $400 and that there are no "catches". The low listing fee that we offer for our home buyers with a home to sell was "for real" and we provide full service for that fee. Yes, it's all true.

Yes, we do

give him the benefit of market information to help price the home
list in the MLS
provide brochures and disclosures
yard signs and yard brochure boxes
hold Open House with an ad in the Washington Post
have a 4 page web page specifically for that home
list the house on our web pages where it will get approx. 3000 unique visitors daily
hold a Broker Open to introduce the home to local agents and brokers
show home for buyers with no agent who call on sign or web page
be available by phone for sign calls and broker communication
represent him in contract review, evaluation, buyer qualification to get loan and close
represent his interest with experience in the home inspection, walk-through processes
attend settlement and represent him in all negotiations, inspections and closing

Now what more could anyone want?? Well, he insisted that the house be held open every week. He also insisted that there be a magazine advertisement for the house. THAT WAS IT. HE WAS HISTORY.

I suppose this is why I'll never be a dedicated listing agent. But, I also refuse to be a

door mat

DOOR MAT

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Maryland & Virginia on 09/16/2009 05:14 AM

Comments (96)

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96 Comments on MEMORIES AT ACTIVERAIN!. . . . "DON'T TELL MY AGENTS I'M SENDING BUSINESS AWAY"

SEP

This is a timely post for me........I have a couple that contacted me again yesterday about looking at homes. I had already decided I wasn't going to be their taxi, they just aren't motivated enough to waste time with. They are months away from being able to move and just want to look around.......about 50 miles from my usual stomping grounds.

I remember this post and here was my comment way back when..

"In order for me to take on a client, "like" and "respect" are the deciding factors. Since I work almost exclusively with referrals, I have had a "waiting list" for many years. Some people never make it to my list.

Lynn, none of us needs to be treated like a door mat! Doormat And I love this door mat!"

Ann. Goodness. Unless they are looking in your market area, just get a good agent for them and let that agent get them out on a tour. I'm happy to help folks looking for a future buy, but only if they're in my area.

Margaret. Funny. I went back to my list of articles and this was the first one that got my attention. There are so many that are my "favorites", I figured I'd just take the first one that had a message.

The message in my post AND your comment is timeless.

Lenn,

Good entry into the contest and timely information for every agent. Some things never change.

Rich

Lenn,

I love how easy AR makes it for us to go back and pull up our old posts. And this is a good 'un!

Lenn, I really hope you publish a book!

Lenn - This is some great stuff and it really looks like I am going to have to put on my reading glasses for some of these great stories and this post dates back to Dec 9-2006.

Was that when you first help form Activerain?

VB ;o)

Lenn, if there's one amazing difference from on-site work to having our own tiny company, it's the ability to work ONLY with those that make the job go smoothly. Maybe I'm getting old, but the prospect of being cornered in a sales office with a (rare, but hugely stressful) mean buyer demanding outrageous special treatment is absolutely unthinkable. I'd rather sweat closings than sweat the car that just pulled up ("oh, no- they're baaack...where can I hide?") :)

Lenn, I was not here until December 06 but I missed this.

What an comforting post. I thought I was the only one who did this. If it starts off demanding like this.....good bye, and good luck.

I actually had a referral come in a few weeks ago from my financial planner. He has referred me to people in the past to list. This was a first time homebuyer.

I called her up, we spoke on the phone.

The demands started. Drive over to N Campus, meet in a coffee shop so they could interview me? Had to be this day? This time?

I told her it would be best if she met with my buyer agent as she would be the one working with them. As I work on the marketing of my homes, and that this particular buyer agents lived in the area she wanted to live in.

Nope not good enough.

Good luck and good bye.

I feel better.

Lenn...

Oops ... getting ths post featured may disqualify you from the contest! (It happened to me once!)

But I love this post. Enough is enough! lol

Lenn, I love it! I have learned so much from you here at AR. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience with us!

Lenn - 2 very empowering stories.

When I first fired my client, he took a step back. I saw the reaction in his face as if he said, "You cant fire me? Only I can fire you...." Well, in my books, business goes both ways. To tell you the truth, I didn't know I could do that but I know I have to draw my line somewhere.

Lenn,

This is a wonderful post! I love the visual of a door mat. Thank you for reviving this post and sharing!

Thanks for sharing this. I'm sure it stirs up memories for all agents of potential clients who had little respect for us as professionals in this industry. I always think of a quote from Dr. Phil, "We teach people how to treat us."

Lenn:

That is a tough thing to have to do - especially twice in a row. But, when someone clearly doesn't respect your time or your expertize (there's that word again - but it's true) you know it is going to be a nightmare to work with them. Someone who thinks that houses are still sold through magazine ads just needs to do some reading - on the Internet.

The first hint was he wanted an agent full time for the last two weeks in December. What is he smoking? You didn't need either of these people and the quality of your life will be much better w/o them. Isn't it empowering to push the delete key and remove them from your life? My working partner had a great point. We only see these annoying people for a few months out of our lives, should we choose to work with them. Can you imagine having this type of person as your boss, day in and day out? Never forget how fortunate we are to be able to CHOOSE who we work for.

Lenn... you don't like demanding buyers? lol Seriously, I missed this one back then. But it's a good message amongst us real estate professionals. We actually were just talking about this on a conference call yesterday. Just last week, I had to tell a client to move on, because she got threatening with me, telling me that they under a time constraint, that she is speaking to her lawyers, etc, etc. And she started putting words in my mouth. Long story short, yes, I wanted the commissions, but I sent her packing. Good post.

jeff belonger

Lenn,

i thought I was the only one who got buyers and sellers like that Ha ha! I have walked away from many people like that. it is interesting to watch new agents who get all excited about working with someone that you know is way too high maintenance. I have found that it doesn't do any good to try and warn them. Most of the time they have to learn about these types the hard way, by experience in the school of hard knocks.

The last two weeks in Dec - and no phone number. Sure no problem let me disrupt my families holiday plans for you mr want everything buyer. Bye Bye! Good luck with that. I totally agree there are a few folks that want everything and I mean everything and it makes no sense. One gal in particular lately insisted we advertise in the paper and hold open every weekend. What paper? Are you kidding me? Maybe you should sell this yourself - of which we exited stage left and said.....good luck with that!

Lenn,

An agent can get mighty hungry in this market, but once you lose your own self-respect, its awful tough to get it back. We must stand up for ourselves, and this post is a great reminder of that.

Lenn - This is a great post. i sometimes wonder if I'm the only one who thinks some clients are not good for business, and I ask them to go elsewhere. It's happened to me several times recently, and i wonder if I'm just becoming less tolerant.

Lenn - we aren't doormats. One thing my first team leader made clear, and often, in both his listing and buyers presentations he used the same line:

We can have one of three outcomes from this meeting:

You can decide to chose me as your listing/buyers agent
You can decide not to chose me
I can decide not to represent you.

Too many forget that this is a two way street.

Very powerful first blog, by the way.

some agents I think just get into desperate mode and are willing to jump through hoops we all know people that will put showing homes on the weekend over a family event of some kind could be their own kids bday party for a client that never bought anything

Over the years we have turned down so many, and it was always the right decision. Adult day care is not our field. Please, call my competition and drive them nuts.

I call this the I KNOW client. They know more than the professional Realtor. I do not associate myself with these type of clients. I am at a point where I can decide who I work with or not. The first couple of years will always be tough in this business.

Thanks so much for sharing. I am a new agent in the business and am trying to adhere to your model. I want business but I want to be looked at as a professional, not a doormat. People can be downright rude and they need to realize that they can not treat people in such a way. I mean the last two weeks in December, not giving a phone number? Like you said if their that hard to work with up front who knows what will happen during the process.. Thanks for your insight!

Definately need to pick your who will be worth the time...I have a couple of those now that I am questioning if my time will be worth it. It normally is but I am sometime too flexible.

Lenn, true then, true now. Ironically in this market, I find myself more and more deciding against working with certain buyers and sellers.

Clients such as you describe are not only bad for business, but toxic to your health and well-being. The increased stress of dealing with difficult people in a difficult market is just not worth it. To quote another real estate guy: "You're fired!"

Very well said. Some buyers and sellers just don't understand we have the right to choose with whom we work. If we did everything they asked they would still not be happy. I always think it is better to say no based on first impressions, saves a whole load of heart ache.

As one of my wise teachers once said, there are some commissions that you look at the check in hand and think to yourself - they were sooooo not worth this check.

It's taken a few years, but I'm learning to spot the time-wasters and the "not worth the check" types. I once had a customer tell me I had better show him that house in 15 minutes or he was calling someone else. I told him please do. Karma's a pain too, he never bought, his girl dumped him, and he was posting on Craigslist for help finding a place to rent.

Awesome post!

Lenn - I learned relatively early in my mortgage career that being respected by my clients as well as the local real estate community started with me. When I learned to respect myself as well as my business, then eventually others would too. Like Barbara (#14) stated, "we teach people how to treat us". Like many others, I too have sent business away simply because I didn't like the way someone was treating me.

Most of the time, I'm fortunate enough to discover this early on before we get into escrow and I let them know right away that I'm not the right LO for them and that they need to find someone else to work with, even if they were a referral. Heck, I've even done that to family and friends who I felt were taking advantage of me. If someone is a jerk in the beginning, they will become worse during escrow. I know this for a fact because I speak from experience when I say this.

This business is hard enough already than to have to work with people who treat me like crap. This is one of the advantages of having my own business, I get to pick and choose who I do and do not want to work with. While I would most certainly have much more business if I didn't feel the way I do, I don't think I would happier and my life would definitely be harder to live with.

Great post...but sometimes the most difficult clients can become the most loyal clients. However, Full time last two weeks of December is definitely a deal breaker for us church going family oriented folks. You definitely have to go with your gut on this one and it all depends on how busy we are. If I am slow, I have no problem looking at Real Estate with tire kickers because I may find a great deal for one of my good clients.

Best,

Clayton Bonjean, Broker, MBA, CDPE

www.mainsailrealtycompany.com

Things are kind of similar for me right now. I talked to an agent yesterday that is sending some money my way because I off loaded a short sale seller and some buyers on her that I couldn't cope with but I knew she could. I beat myself up for not having enough patience to work with some of these people. There was a time when I seemed to be motivated to work with everyone and anyone. Now the phone rings and I cringe. I had a listing appointment last week where I recommended that they list with my broker.

I'm glad this blog post was featured. We need to provide second mile service, but if there is no respect with the potential client it is time to walk away. This post is as applicable in 2006 as it is today.

It takes a brave person in this day to turn away a buyer or seller - but I still totally agree with you. And if you have the guts to do it, that''s where the self-respect comes in.

Lenn,

Alot of people think that we as agents are to be kicked around but many of us are dedicated to our profession and to our clients.Thanks for the post!

Lenn - That post will never become obsolete.

Wow, my first blog posts looks like a kindergartner wrote it, yours looks like you knew exactly what you were doing :) I remember reading this post and love it - I agree, we are not doormats either!

Ha ! I love this, as I have done the same a number of times this year. The funny part for me, is that a number of them have come full circle and came back to me to create an agreement under the terms that I set forth.

I am NEVER afraid to politely walk away from unreasonable customers !!

Cheers Lenn !

Sheldon

I enjoyed the post. This year I have run into some very unreasonable buyers and sellers. I tried to work with them but in the end I was the loser. They wasted my time and I allowed it to happen. I'm trying to be more assertive and not so nice.

Thanks for sharing this post again Lenn! It's a great one and a good reminder!

Atta girl. It took me 53 years to learn that life lesson. Money isn't enough of a motivator to sell your self respect.

Hi Lenn~ It really boils down to treating others the way you want to be treated. I totally respect my clients and appreciate them, but it has to work both ways or I say NEXT!

I need listings but last week I turned two down strictly on interpersonal reasons. I am remorseful that's the way things worked out, but relieved I do not have to work with unrealistic clients. I feel better, even if poorer!

Lenn: We have to be willing to let go and release people we know are difficult to work with. 99.9% of the time they are not worth the time spent on them. I’m sure any professional, doctor, lawyer, CPA, etc. would do the same … bye bye.

Lenn,

All of what you write is timeless. That's why I save it and refer back. Thanks for re-sharing.

Hi Lenn. This reminds me of a recent buyer (couple) that I was working with for weeks. The market may be slower in my area but I said goodbye and good luck to them. I am not working with unreasonable and/or demanding people.

Lenn,

Just as true today as when you wrote it in 06.

Great post, Lenn!

You have to wonder if Mr. 1.2 million was really a serious buyer or not. I think I would have told him...I'll show you homes by virtual tour...until we can have a LIVE conversation! :) Thanks for sharing!

Lenn - In my opinion this is a timeless post. These types of clients are always around no matter what market we are in.

Getting old is only in our mind. Age never prevented people from doing things: http://www.whatwasdone.com/

I love the post and it's ageless. But I have to ask... Lenn ... entering a contest. Who are you and what did you do with the real Lenn??

Lenn-This is a great post. Real Estate relationships are definitely two way streets. Without mutual respect it is not a relationship worth having. The first meeting is a "try out". If either of you is not happy afterwards one of you can choose to not work with the other. It is not only the potential client who can do the "firing". Doormats no more!

Excellent Post and excellent response to your two examples! If we allow ourselves to used, abused and walked on we have only ourselves to blame. Good Job!!!

Hi Lenn! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi on our blog. Glad to hear Loudoun County is doing well!

You keep being that lioness when the jackals are stalking your cubs!

Lioness and Cubs

Lenn,

I just lost my first potential buyer in a long time because I kept asking her to get pre-qualified BEFORE we looked at homes (first time home buyer wanting to look in a range from 75K-175K) She kept emailing me to meet her at this house or that house and I was persistent about her finding out what she qualifies for first as to not waste time looking in the wrong price range.

She emailed me last night that she found another Realtor. Good. I am done wasting my time on buyers that won't get serious before they start looking.

And my contirbution -- I'm not going to be a DUMB doormat either!! I just sent buyers away two days ago. They were NOT qualified for a loan . . . they did NOT have their CASH OUT from their current residence to buy a house . . . and yet, I got their offer approved, on a home that is in a HOT area! Hmmm . . . I AM a good agent!

First thing the buyer wife said AFTER our offer was accepted: "I found the house on ZILLOW for $250,000 . . ." (their accepted offer was $299,900) . . . hmmm . . . I think I'll give out Bob (is it Bob??) what's his face AR link . . . let ZILLOW negotiate the deal to $250,000 if my clients are relying on the ZILLOW 'value' to bitch complain about the current market value of a property they're buying.

Oh, and a lot more things these buyers did . . . X'd em out for me. Why: cause I'm NOT a dumb doormat!

My experience is that when folks are difficult before you begin the work, they are going to be difficult during and probably after the job is done.

Truer words could not be said.

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them."
- Maya Angelou

Lenn, I really should go back to the beginning of your time here and read more of your articles. This was wonderful! We've all had those experiences - consumers that we knew we would never be able to make happy or so unreasonable in demands that we wouldn't be happy. What a great way to articulate it.

Lenn - you are so right about running a business based on your values, procedures, etc.

Just recently I had a buyer called me surfing the internet wanting to see the property in two hours, not giving me any information about their financial state of mind. I simply told them after talking about this property that I could not help them if they could not provide me with information I require. So long and good luck.

Lenn- The wonderful thing of owning your own business, ie: Real Estate Agent or Brokerage- is that you can choose who you work with and who you don't. Very empowering. If more agents would treat their real estate business like a small business they would not be setting this precedent of becoming servants to sellers and buyers. Every seller we speak with knows what we will do and what we will not do. One of the things that I don't do is work on Sundays. That has never come back to bite me ever in my long career. When you set your boundaries people will respect you and your boundaries and if they don't, well, you didn't need them in your life anyways. :) Katerina

Lenn,

It's fun to read about these war stories. This buyer # 1 is a classic. The lesson from that is that if the buyer is difficult right off the blocks, it's going to that way throughout.

Lenn, you have to sail your own ship ALWAYS. Glad you have that at the core of your belief system. I always have too...

Hi Lenn...Real estate can be stressful enough without asking for additional heartache. Work with people you respect and that respect you and your expertise.

Kate

Lenn, it seems that real estate hasn't changed much since then.

Some people are too pushy. You have to know when to cut them lose. There are 10% of the population that will never be happy with what you do.

I just turned away 2 buyers myself. A 1.3 million buyer and a 7 million buyer, both wanted lots of "help" ad had lots of demands. After many emails neither would provide a phone number so we could speak directly. Bye bye...

Great post. I think there will always be people to test you.

Sometimes walking away from business can be much smarter than taking it on when you know it's just not going to work.

I don't want to be the door mat either... Great article, thanks for sharing

Lenn, I wish I would of read your post a few months ago. I should of walked away from a young and very demanding couple looking to purchase a home. And even though were in escrow now (finally! 2nd escrow), it was not worth my time and effort. I just didn't think that it was an option to walk away. Thank you for the insight.

Wow, I only wish I was in the position to turn buyers away in that price range.

Lenn - great advice, thanks for sharing.

SEP

I have found this market has made me really think twice or three times before taking on a client....the chances of something selling are so much lower than ever, and I don't have the time, patience nor money to take these listings...

Those are perfectly reasons not to take a client -- 2 weeks in Dec and he would not talk to you and open every week ----- pass, move on.

Richard. Right. We've always had folks who tried to tell us how to run our business.

Mike. Indeed. I just pulled the oldest one I thought was worthy.

Janice. No time. No time.

Robert. I started in August 2006. I haven't been right since.

Laurie. I have no tolerance for unreasonable folks.

Missy. HA! There is not one single solitary consumer on this earth who can DEMAND anything of me. As with you, I have earned my independence.

Richard. If this disqualifies me from the contest, so be it. I'll go back to ignoring contests.

Bob. It is my pleasure. My pleasure.

Loreena. Nonsense. We are in the brokerage business. We are not indentured, merely engaged and it goes two ways.

Dorie. Thanks. Some of the oldies bear republishing. I like this contest because it gives us an opportunity to enjoy some OLDIES BUT GOODIES.

Barbara. Thanks. That is a great quote.

Claudette. Indeed. I know my business and I know where to put my resources. I do not believe in throwing stuff on the wall to see what sticks.

Jeanne. You bet and I have worked hard to earn my right to make my own schedule. When I take a buyer client, I work hard and almost exclusively on their behalf until they have the best house for their money. I know my business. They do not.

Jeff. IF ANYONE EVEN SAYS THE WORD "ATTORNEY" OR "LAWYER", they can no longer communicate with me directly. If there is any further communication, it MUST be by their attorney with my attorney. This is one of the reasons I insisted that my agents get their own broker's license. When agents get into a bad relationship with a buyer or seller client, the broker's reputation, E&O and resources are on the line.

Sybil. All I can say to folks who complain about an unreasonable buyer is, "get rid of them". If they don't, then they can't complain.

Anna. Indeed. The timing was awful because, while they were coming to the area to visit family over the holidays, so too were many home owners engaged in holiday schedules. As for advertising, if a seller fails to understand that 95% of home buyers come through the MLS, they are wasting my time and my money. Actually, once a home is priced right, it will get offers. That's when sellers really need experienced agents.

Amy. Agreed. Being hungry and acting upon it feed on itself and it can create a downward spiral.

Larry. HA! I know I am. However, I believe that we do have a high percentage of unreasonable and opportunistic buyers in the market.

Mike. Thanks. I give a lot of time and experience when I take a buyer. I do not waste any time.

Greater. Or, a buyer who will never buy anything for years.

Jim. Agreed. I have no problem saying "I can't help you". If they insist on asking why, I simply tell them "Because I don't want to".

Harry. What they know isn't going to help. If a buyer thinks they know, they're dangerous.

Alyssa. You'll learn to work with folks who want your help and respect your experience. Not folks who believe that your time has no value.

Chuck. I'm flexible too, but I can spot a time waster early on.

Silvia. Here, here! If we are not walking keypads.

John M. No stress if we are working with folks who respect our experience.

Corinne. I practice PULL advertising. When they contact me, they are doing so for my experience. I can't help them if they want me to ignore what I know.

Sheree. Thanks. Experience is our best teacher.

Donne. I am an experienced real estate broker. I know what I bring to a transaction and most of my buyers realize that early on.

Clayton. I don't deal with tire kickers.

Teresa. I consider all referral checks found money. I invested little and it grew dramatically.

Laurie. Indeed. We begin with full knowledge in our ability and the knowledge that the consumer knows little.

Missy. I would like to convey the message to all agents and brokers that we run our own businesses and neither buyers nor sellers get the right to tell us how.

Richard. I seldom enter contests. If this disqualifies me, I'd like to know how or why. That would make no sense.

Bob. We learn from each other.

Loreena. We invest a lot in a buyer or seller client. We reserve the right to say how and for whom.

Dorie. Thanks. Thanks.

Barbara. HA! Folks don't have to love me, but they do have to respect me to get my time.

Claudette. I'm sure those folks were quickly replaced by other better folks.

Jeanne. HA! I was unable to convey the arrogance when he said FULL TIME for two weeks.

Jeff. I don't even have demanding buyers. Once I take a buyer on, I'm devoted to them.

Sybil. I'm sure we all get inquiries like that. I just don't give them my time.

Anna. The refusal to give me a phone number was about 50% of my decision.

Amy. I have no appitite for unreasonable consumers.

Anna 'Banana' Kruchten, Anna Banana Realty, Phoenix AZ

Delete | Report a Concern

8:37am • #19

I'm dealing with that right now with some sellers. They keep coming back with more and more questions, and I think they're just looking for an excuse to choose the other agent, so I gave them permission to choose the other agent. I didn't hear back from them yesterday, which means they probably did choose the other agent.

Some people we just can't work with. There's a personality for everyone.

Larry. Thanks. You are not alone.

Mike. Smarter words were never spoken.

Greater. We should never be desperate. We need to be smart.

Jim. I've turned down many too. Good for you.

Harry. They do not know. If they did, they'd be selling to me.

Alyssa. We NEVER need to work with rude. In fact, there are no rude folks in my life.

Chuck. I'm flexible too, but not a door mat.

Chuck. I'm flexible too but careful. I don't want to lose good opportunities while donating time to not serious buyers.

Silvia. This is a process that I've done for many years. I've never regretted it.

John M. I don't let anyone put stress in my business.

Corinne. HA! They understand when I tell them "I can't help you". The end.

Sheree. Right you are. Sadly, too many brokers encourage their new agents to take anything.

Donne. Right. I set the boundaries for my representation. I know my business. The consumer does not.

Clayton. There are always exceptions but overall, we must learn to say NO when it seems like the right thing to do.

Teresa. HA! I consider a referral fee to be found money. I had little to no expense or angst but got paid anyway.

Laurie. Respect is essential.

Margaret. I'm not brave. I just look at the likelihood of helping a particular buyer and if the buyer is unreasonable in their expectations or demanding in service/fee, etc. they are not going to be taking our time.

Mke. Folks who think that are mistaken.

Norma. How sweet. Thanks.

Thanks for the memories, Lenn. It never hurts to be choosey. You're experience clearly has taught you when a prospect is not going to work out, and the quicker you "cut and run" the better.

Lenn - excellent and timely post. There are clients who want to just look at homes, and I don't have the time to help them if they are not serious.

Kevin & Monica. I'm sure your first blog was fine. I'm glad you remember. That's nice.

Sheldon. Good for you. Me too.

Allen. If the time comes when I dread meeting a client, they quickly become history.

Emily. My pleasure.

Monica. There is no price for the priceless.

Vickie. Very good. We deserve the same respect we give.

Dave. Unreasonable clients simply do not know the market. If they refuse to listen, then they are hopefully.

Kathleen. Right you are. We've earned that right.

Terri. Thanks. That is very sweet.

Lana. Good for you. Me either.

Brian. It does appear to be doesn't it?

Sonia. Whether or not he was serious, I don't take any buyer serious if they are unwilling to give me their phone number. That's the only way I can check them out. If they answer their phone or are on Caller I.D., I give them the benefit of the doubt.

Michelle. Thanks very much.

Tammy. HA! This one sparked my interest and was simple minded enought that I think I followed the instructions O.K. Most are so complicated, I can't follow.

Debra. Indeed. We work together or it doesn't work. My buyers bring the funds and I bring the experience.

Gary. Thanks. You're right.

Dave. I'm laughing out loud. Actually, I enjoy being the lioness.

Kristi. Actually, unless I suspect a credit problem, I give any buyer ONE tour first just to see if I want to get involved with them. I prequalify folks for price range first, then we take a tour. If they are serious, then they need to talk to a lender. I don't need a lender first. Folks don't contact me to get a lender referral. They contact me to see homes and that's just what we do.

Carla. HA! I've been fighting those Zillow estimates since they went online. I can handle it but it's a waste of time.

Lisa. I agree completely. Folks do not change. They just show more butt.

Kris. Thanks. I love to relate old experiences. They are real.

Petra. Two hours?? That's not sufficient to research the listing, make appointment, preview and then make appointment to show. What are they thinking???? I know. Their agent isn't returning their phone call.

Katerina. 100% correct. My business is my business. I'm accomodating, but not a doormat.

Esko. I have a chestful of war stories. Thanks.

Gary. I saw a training film once called "I pack my own parachute". It was great and a good example of keeping control of your own business.

Kate. Right you are. I believe that.

Damon. Actually, it has not. Just more less than serious buyers in the market.

Russ. I don't deal with pushy folks. I believe in thoughtful processes.

Justin. I absolutely will not go far without speaking with someone. I trust my instinct with a two way conversation. I'm rarely wrong.

Knighttyme. Of course, there will.

Christine. I don't like walking away but it's better than crawling away bloody and broke.

Roland. My pleasure.

Alma. You have to be careful of your BA Agreement if there is one but you ARE NOT INDENTURED. Broker policy usually rules. I'm the broker.

Kryste. My pleasure.

Pat. You couldn't pay me to take a listing. I love working with buyers.

Bob & Carolin. Done. NEXT.

Donne. Right and if one isn't cooperative before you engage, how will they be after?

Dan. I rely on instict.

Sharon. The present market has brought out a lot of not so serious buyers.

Lenn -

I'm with you! I'll more than bend over backwards for my customers.....but, in order for them to be my customers, they first need to treat me like a HUMAN BEING. I've turned down customers.....I've fired customers.....I've given customers the "shape up or ship out" speech.

Because. I. Take. NO. Crap.

From ANYONE.

Not even my kids.

So there.

Coleen. Here, Here!!!

At least your 'first' was you and real estate ...as always. Just know Lenn...you are one of a few that inspired me to write better real estate :)

Sally. I remember fondly. I remember the chocolates too.

SEP

Interesting article! I am worth more than a DOORMAT! When I started in the business about 6 years ago, I would allow it! Not anymore! I now have my own company called: Island Palms Realty

OCT

Lynn - This is a great repost. It's good for all agents to remember. Some people are just not worth working with.

OCT

Hi Lenn,

Congratulations on being a contest winner..you are right the oldies are goodies! Loved re-reading this one.

Dorie. I don't believe I was a winner. I believe is was an "also ran". Thanks anyway.

Chris. Indeed. We learn.

Chris W. Good for you.

OCT

good choice for the contest - i think we have to keep remind ourselves of that 'no doormat policy' metimes!

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