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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