"No offense but I don't trust ANY real estate people." The words cut through me like a knife. I felt bad not so much for myself, although it really stunk hearing those words, but for the woman that said them.

I'm involved in the 3rd offer that these people have made. I was not involved in the previous offers on the other two properties.

These people were an "up" call I got during my floor time shift two weeks ago.

I met them, did the appropriate agency disclosures, tried to get them to consider buyer representation and then showed them a few properties listed with my company and I kept in touch. They had some interest in one of the houses I showed them but were not in any rush to make an offer.  In the meantime unbeknown to me, they had offered on two other homes with two other agents.  Those offers went nowhere.

They called suddenly, yesterday and wanted to make an offer on one of the houses I had showed them. While I am not the listing agent, I do represent the seller in the transaction. I checked on the status and was told by the listing agent that another offer was coming in.  I told the buyers that an "other offer" was coming in as well and that the seller would wait to look at both offers before deciding. 

I went to the buyers house, we did up the paperwork, It was a low offer, I explained it all, all the clauses, all the what if's and went over the worst case scenarios, they listened politely. 

I suggested representation if this offer didn't work out and thats when I heard the words "I don't trust you" and then the clarification "I don't trust Any Real Estate Agents"!

How can I tell the buyers that I'm different? That I am trustworthy? Can I make them believe me? I really can't advise them. I can't negotiate for them...I represent the other side per their choice.

They chose to be unrepresented, they chose to go it alone. They simply don't trust real estate people. Chock it up to bad experience...chock it up to whatever, but thats the way they want it. They are classic Broker Hoppers...how very sad that they'll never have it easy...never have someone working FOR them.

I stayed a bit, we talked and I felt I built a good rapport. I explained the presentation process and they felt comfortable with it.  I left with a check in hand, it was late after 8pm and it had been a long day.

Because the seller had an important test to take the offers would not be presented until late this afternoon. I kept all the paperwork and the check in my possession at the request of the listing agent. We would meet up before the presentation. Remember I represent the Seller.

Today right before the presentation of the offer I got a call from the buyer asking me if the offer had been presented yet? Asking me if the other offer had come in? If it did then they wanted their offer presented BUT if the other offer had not come in then they wanted to wait.

They had gotten a call from the agent they had previously made an offer with...offer # 1 and those sellers were now reconsidering.

They didn't want to lose out on it or on the house we had done the paper work on...BUT they wanted time to go look at house # 1 again and make a decision.  But if the other offer had indeed come in then they would proceed???? I represent the seller...a lie would get the sellers an offer.

If the other offer had come in they would proceed....So if I lied and told them yes, that the other offer had come in...they would proceed with the offer. If I lied??? If I told the truth they would pull the offer. Very simple.

Yet they don't trust me?? I called the listing agent to double check the status of the other offer. Not in yet I was told.

I chose to tell the truth, knowing that the truth could hurt me, that I could lose the sale, that the seller could lose out. But I told the truth....yet I am not trustworthy! 

I told the truth, I did what was Ethically Right...I am a REALTOR and the buyers for what ever reason, in the end, believed me and trusted my answer.

I wonder what tomorrow morning will bring...will they realize that they had no choice but to trust me...that I was trustworthy? 

Maybe they'll buy house number one But I will sleep well tonight. Maybe I won't make a sale but I know I am trustworthy. That has to count for something.

I'm glad I made the decision I did...especially after my husband Jay wrote this awesome post about me.  

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