HELP ME : dealing with a difficult client

Sometimes you need to walk away from a listing. If I know the seller is too high and not going to budge I let someone else spend their money advertising it. With as many listing as there are these days we can be a little more picky. The seller may just see how serious you are and lower price.

Runaway!  That relationship was off to a bad start the second you let the client control the list price.  No point taking ANY listings that are overpriced or will not sell, it just ends up costing you time, money, and reputation.  Best to tell them to list with someone else and to give you a call when the listing expires and they are ready to SELL it not just LIST it.

I am like you, 100% of my listings sell.  Almost always in 30 days or less.  I don't list anything that the client is not serious about selling and I don't price anything at a price that is more than I would expect a buyer of my own to pay for it.  Yes, I probably miss out on a listing or two a year because of it, but I also have a reputation with my industry members and with the public for having well priced homes that sell for at or near list price. 

I tell my clients, I dont waste my time or my money and I certainly won't waste yours either.

Best of luck dealing with that one.

Austin, Ask her, "other than what you need, on what basis do you have to justify that price for your home?"  Then listen.  When she is done speaking ask, "is there anything else?"  Then ask her, "If I can show you 3 homes currently on the market in that price range that are nicer than yours, will you reconsider your price?"

Show her the homes and then offer her Choice A, Listing extension with a price reduction or Choice B, Listing Release.  If she won't go, or can't see the difference, move on.  Some people need hands on to realize their home doesn't compare. 

So many Realtors forget to find out why a seller is asking a certain price.  Realtors jump on the whole bandwagon that they are not reasonable due to comps.  They forget the owner owes $160,000+ and can't pay for the upside down amount.

Before being some idiot average agent you need to find out why they are asking that amount.  If you think it is too high then don't take the listing or create some creative sale. 

You need to become an above average agent.  I state this at least once a night to you guys.  Stop calling your clients unreasonable to take a $40,000 cash loss for using you as their agent.

Cut your losses and terminate the listing.  She is unreasonable.  If you follow Dan's advice above and she doesn't seem responsive then you will want to move on.

David, part of my listing presentation includes, that I spend close to $2000 in the first 30 days of a listing, before I take a listing I want to be absolutely sure that I will get return on my investment. As long as the homes are overpriced, I can not guarantee the return, hence either they list at my suggested price or they need another agent. They are welcome to call me in 90 days or 6months which ever they agree to list with some one else.

Each of the previous comments represent good points.  Inform and advise the seller, and give the seller a choice to work to a plan that will get the property sold for as much as it will actually sell for, or cancel the listing so she can move on to work with another agent.

Eventually, if you are a good agent, which I presume you are, you will have occasional listing cancellations because sometimes clients' goals and circumstances legitimately change.  While it is a great indicator of your ability to get your clients' properties sold, don't cling to your own performance record to the extent of compromising the professionalism of your services to a particular client.

Best wishes.

Some times it's necessary to walk away.  This may be one of those times.

I get that with rental property owners and I agree to advertise it for 2 weeks at their rate and then lower it or I don't take the property to manage!!

Austin,  I highly recommend you ask her to have an unbiased formal market value appraisal done on the property, as you would rather turn her down than let her down is she does not agree to their value.

Do it ASAP before the listing expires and tell her that if the appraisal comes in lower, she agrees to drop it immediately to that price and give you an extension.  If she is not willing to oblige, then get a release and spend more time on AR to network and grow your business elsewhere.

Looks like you need to walk away from this listing Austin, she isn't going to budge, so why waste your time and money advertising something you know isn't going to sell at that price.

Just say no. Obviously you are frustrated, and nothing good will come of this even if you get a contract (unless it's cash). I have a firm line on how overpriced I'll allow a listing, and I have been a much happier and efficient agent since I established it.

"I'm sorry, but it's obvious that I'm not going to be able to meet your financial expectations with the sale of your home. It was very nice to meet you, and when you are willing to list your home near the current market price, I'll  be happy to help you."

Happy Friday!

1) Your CMA should be polished, professional and analytical.  SHOW her what her house is worth!

2) Explain the benefits of a re-sale appraisal.  An investment of a few hundred dollars may help her price her home correctly and get a quick sale.

3) Walk, no, run away from her if she refuses to cooperate. 

Just say no. Obviously you are frustrated, and nothing good will come of this even if you get a contract (unless it's cash). I have a firm line on how overpriced I'll allow a listing, and I have been a much happier and efficient agent since I established it.

"I'm sorry, but it's obvious that I'm not going to be able to meet your financial expectations with the sale of your home. It was very nice to meet you, and when you are willing to list your home near the current market price, I'll  be happy to help you."

Happy Friday!

KISS this chick "goodbye".  An uncooperative Seller will bring you nothing but grief.  Tell her to reduce to $149K NOW and then $139K  in three weeks, or find another agent.  Your job is to SELL the home, not LIST it forever.

It's pretty simple, get her to reduce, or release the listing.  If you know it will never sell at that price, what is the point of wasting your time and money on it?

Kick her to the curb! If she doesn't value your knowledge, let someone else deal with her. You will never sell the home at this price , therefore you will not be losing anything.