I Had a Gnawing Feeling About a Client -- How About You?

Ever had that gnawing feeling?

You know how it goes, you've got this client (he sees himself as a big investor) and he's just moved to your area from another state.  He's a freelance kind of person, renting, and then he locates you.  He's sure you're going to find the perfect investment, easy-to-fix-er upper house for him.

His credit score's not too great, but he gets a pass.  He doesn't really want to put much money down, and thinks that if he finds the right house in a certain type of community, he might stay around for a while.  You're pretty sure he won't be able to make a viable offer in that community without something of a down payment, but you'll do all you can.  And after some many months and long hours on the computer and phone, you get this gnawing inside, like your gut is twisting and turning circles over his sincerity (or is it, a lack thereof).

I don't get this feeling with every person or couple I spend time with, in fact, I recently received an e-mail from a great couple I've been working with and they're going to have to leave town.  Maybe they'll be back.  I hope they keep in touch!

But back to the gnawing inside with this client -- it grows more intense at the same time he's generating his list of possible properties from among my listings (which is cool), and then again from other agents (although I have an exclusive buyer-broker agreement with him, he doesn't always disclose this -- not cool). 

About now the gnawing has become its own ife form, and I'm thinking maybe it's time to get out of this arrangement.

Presto, the next day, he sends me an e-mail to tell me he's found the perfect property in another state from a real estate investment club contact, and he's all full of thanks for the great job I did helping him understand the real estate market, some pricing viewpoints, and making good offers.  He's just so happy....

Then presto, as if excised on the spot, the gnawing is gone.  I am free once more to help another client! 

Tell me -- tell us -- you ever get that gnawing feeling about a client?

 
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34 Comments on I Had a Gnawing Feeling About a Client -- How About You?

Yes and we make sure to have them either signed, sealed and delivered or, we don't work with them. 

06/19/2007 10:11 PM by Coeur d'Alene Idaho Homes - Come Live The Life Style - Christina Ethridge (David Swarat's North Idaho Dream Team (GMAC))


Hi Terry,

First, hope you don't mind but this is the kind of post that you might want to make "Members Only".

I'm a huge believer in listening to your gut instinct. When it doesn't seem quite right, it usually isn't. Sorry this happened to you!!!

06/19/2007 10:16 PM by Mary Pope-Handy, ABR, CRS, ePRO, SRES (Keller Williams Realty)


Terry...

I have that Gnawing feeling about a client I am working with... What can you do.. I do my best and hope that the deal goes through....or until he decides to buy in another state....

 

06/19/2007 10:30 PM by Nattalie Cornwall (Metrobrokers/GMAC Real Estate)


Time and again I have had "buyers" do that to me...a buyers rep agreement is what is called for....then they can't take avantage of you anymore.....

=-)

06/20/2007 04:05 PM by Central Florida real estate - Alexander Harb PSEM®, E-Agent® (Beach and Luxury Realty Inc.)


The odd time I have had that feeling about a client, it always turned out BAD. A couple of them turned out to be stalkers and were lying from the get-go. I have another wanna-be client like that right now. I have a leary feeling about him and I am doing my best to kind of 'phase him out' of my picture without creating any undue scene.

It is extremely important to pay attention to that 'gut instinct'. Your body will NEVER lie to you. It is an instinct that has been finely honed over thousands and thousands of years.

Thanks for an excellent post, Terry. I really enjoyed reading it and it was very timely reading for me, as well.

have a great weekend

Jo 

06/22/2007 06:10 PM by Jo-Anne Smith-Belleville, Quinte and Prince Edward Region Real Estate, Ont. (Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty, Brokerage)


Hi Jo-Anne,

Thank you -- odd, not really, but in time we seem to hone-in on that instinct.  We just need to listen...and obey!

It's been an eventful weekend already, and tonight we went to the finals of the Reno Rodeo.  What a hoot!

06/24/2007 01:14 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Sounds like you made out OK.  Better to loose a deal before it starts than to loose it in escrow.  Why not consider completely prequalifing the buyer before letting him in your car.

06/24/2007 01:44 AM by Dan Homan (Dan Homan Business Consultant and Advertising Specialist)


Yes, I've had it many times and I ALWAYS go with my gut.  It has saved me a lot of aggravation over the years.

06/24/2007 02:01 AM by Steven Shewell, The Mortgage Maverick (Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc.)


Oh yea, I am getting gnawed on right now, but you know sometimes I stick it out to see how it ends...To see if my feelings were correct. As long as it does not eat up much of my time.

06/25/2007 09:32 PM by Frank Harris (Keller Williams Realty Centre)


Terry,

I think we have all had that gnawing feeling at least once.  If something doesn't feel right, it's probably not a good fit and best for everyone to just move on. 

06/26/2007 12:09 AM by Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC


 

   Why is it that we don't listen to our instincts, it's funny that most often I know what the real deal is but maybe I just want to believe in the best of people. Not sure I want to lose that but also has to be balance of not being taken advantage of either. Thank you for your post--rather thought provoking.

07/06/2007 12:50 PM by Prudential Americana Group


You've kind of hit it on the head, Kathryn -- our instincts reveal the "real deal" yet our wishful, hopeful, thinking minds beg us sometimes to see what we hope is there -- at least that's what my hubby would say (and you'd be surprised how often I listen).

07/06/2007 09:09 PM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Yes.  And frequently, because I will then be utterly open to their communications, mirroring and saying "Yes." -- they tell me what they otherwise wouldn't. 
Example: the other day, an owner of a couple of car lots wanted to refinance.  I asked him questions about his business, and then got down to questions about the lot, when he'd bought it, what he'd put in, how much debt was there.  And he heard the deal not sound too good: so he said, "Tell you what, I'll sell it to my mother for a higher price, and she can refinance with you."  Classic mortgage fraud, the dumb kind, from a businessman who's been listening to the wrong people.
I said,"you don't want to do that.  You will get in big trouble if you do.  I may not be the right loan guy to work for you." 
And left, sweating profusely, relieved.

07/07/2007 11:27 AM by Arnold Fitger Williams


Hi Arnold -- I wonder, was it your "attorney ethics" that kicked in (e.g., "you don't want to do that.  You will get in big trouble if you do.  I may not be the right loan guy to work for you."), or are you WHAT WE NEED TO EPITOMIZE IN THE MORTGAGE LENDING AND REAL ESTATE SALES industries -- ethical!

07/07/2007 04:00 PM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


I have continued with these types of clients and it is never good, just a waste of time.  Now I listen to that gnawing.

07/07/2007 04:43 PM by Robin Willis, Tucson's Expert Agent, Realty Executives (Realty Executives Southern Arizona)


Ain't it the truth, Robin, as much as we'd like every client to be fruitful, not every client is.  I know a number of hopeful agents who hang in there even when the gnawing is right through to their bones, and in the end -- MOST OF THE TIME -- the agents land where we're at right now, saying of their experience with them, as you said: "...it is never good, just a waste of time."  The irony many of us live with, however, is that we believe in the potential of the "real estate transaction" and how it can lead to years of friendships and referrals, and it's equally tempting at times to simply blow-off the gnawing feeling...even when we know we should not!

07/07/2007 05:01 PM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


All of the time!  One thing that I am sure of...The LORD knows who's coming my way, in fact, I am convinced that some of them come my way due to HIM especially after asking HIM to order my day.  So it's alright to have that gnawing feeling.  It may be that someone is trying to tell you something like "You don't want to work with this person."  or "I'm sending this person to you so that you can be a witness to him/her but you're not going to sell them anything." 

07/10/2007 08:42 PM by Judi Barrett (Integrity Real Estate Services)


I think this was a wonderful post! The Holy Spirit sometimes warns us of unsavory people. Like when you saw this man not making disclosure to the other agents...you knew he wasn't telling YOU everything either.

That feeling is more than common sense. Just go with it like some of the others said and you'll learn to avoid some trouble. You are sensitive so you'll do well because of the leading of the Lord.

Blessings! Stay full of Joy!

07/10/2007 10:13 PM by Lania DeMers, Broker Rocky Mountain Realty Co. (Rocky Mountain Realty Co.)


Judi and Lania -- yes, yes, it's the Holy Spirit.  Believers know this...and trust Him.  Thanks for stepping out and clearing this up for those who don't know the gnawing as we do!

07/10/2007 11:26 PM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Wow, many of us have been there....definately listen to the gut instinct!

01/24/2008 12:04 AM by Dawn Barrier REALTOR®, Las Vegas and Northwest LasVegas, NV (Liberty Realty)


Hi Dawn -- isn't it the truth, and how nice that this little piece emerged again after first being posted in June of 2007.  It goes to show you, "that gnawing feeling" should be the title of a song! 

01/24/2008 09:30 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


OMG yes! I've had that feeling a few times over the years. Will I ever learn to trust my instincts?

01/24/2008 09:38 AM by Lindsey Hasford (Coldwell Banker Vision)


Hi Terry, It's all about listening to your gut, isn't it.  Far too often we ignore it. So sorry you had to waste so much of your time. 

01/24/2008 10:25 AM by Karen Hubert,CSP Hamilton and Area Home Staging (Center Stage Design-real estate staging, Hamilton, Ontario)


You gut WILL never lie to you. We try to circumvent it but it just hangs around there protecting you. That was the Lord "covering" your back.

01/24/2008 11:02 AM by Robert L. Brown~Grand Rapids Real Estate Flexit Realty, West Michigan (www.mrbrownsellsgr.com)


Hi Lindsey -- I KNOW; will I ever learn to trust my instincts.  We have a lot of built in (polite) sensors.  Thanks, and God bless you!

01/24/2008 11:18 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Hi Karen -- isn't it so plainly ironic: we spend a great deal of time on trying to overcome what the Holy Spirit may be telling us about clients or tricky real estate situations (let alone life in general).  Thanks, and God bless you!

01/24/2008 11:21 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Hi Robert -- Amen to your comment.  He is covering our backs; I count on it!  Thanks and God bless you!

01/24/2008 11:24 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Terry- always follow your gut instinct We get buyers here that have come into town to vacation, yet they tell you that they are relocating which isn't the case. They are dreaming. Disney makes you dream.

01/24/2008 12:40 PM by Mark Horan P.A. "The Resident Chef" at Keller Williams (The Resident Team at Keller Williams At-The-Lakes)


Interesting post Terry - I have felt that way a few times about people in general - go with your gut - it is a primal survival instinct left over from evolution that was is gift from GOD :)

Sincerely,

Grace

01/24/2008 03:53 PM by Jeff & Grace Safrin-SpousesSellingHouses REALTORS, F.C.Tucker Company, Indiana (F.C.Tucker/Advantage Realty)


Hi Mark -- Oh, how I understand what you're saying.  It's like folks out here who come into town for a ski vacation and then decide "they want to live here"  -- not really, but they get excited and want to see all kinds of properties.  I've had a few "relocation fantasies" as well.  We serve, but we have to listen within.  Thanks and God bless you!

01/24/2008 11:46 PM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Hi Grace -- I like the primal survival instinct concept, particularly as I now view it as a gift from God.  Thanks for the "instinctive advice!"  God bless you and Jeff!

01/24/2008 11:49 PM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


Getting people to sign a buyer rep agreement usually brings things into focus.....

It has for me a number of times...when the buyer did NOT want to sign one.....

You said you had an agreement signed with this guy right?

hmmmm......interesting....

 

01/25/2008 12:14 AM by Central Florida real estate - Alexander Harb PSEM®, E-Agent® (Beach and Luxury Realty Inc.)


Hi Alex -- haven't heard from you fro awhile; hope you are well.  Interesting dilemma, huh?  The buyer-broker agreement was in place, but he jumped the state and purchased a property in a state in which I was not licensed.  Oops -- no valid agreement.

01/25/2008 12:30 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


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Real Estate Agent: Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)
Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI
Reno, NV
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