Has this ever happened to any of you? Kind of long - Sorry

Why not send them a card in the mail or someother type of mail-out from your office and stick a note in with it?

Nancy - this happens all too often, in my book.  There seems to be a true lack of loyalty on the part of buyers/customers.  Even with a signed agreement they would have probably been a nightmare to deal with.

If you have access to your local tax assessors records, you may want to check periodically to see if they are the new owners of a home.  This has happened to me several times and when I check the county files I see that they have bought a new home.  Imagine that!  Humph!  At that point I send them a sickly sweet note saying that I'm SO glad they finally found their dream home and I hope they will be very happy.

After all - just because they were schmucks doesn't mean they won't refer someone to you. It also lets them know that they weren't as slick as they thought they were. 

Nancy

You raise an interesting point on the last comment. In Florida, we have both the Buyers Brokerage Agreement and a Transaction Brokers Agreement.  I always start with the Transaction Brokers Agreement at the first meeting. This established the relationship between you and the customer. If they are not willing to "work" with you, this eliminates a lot of wasted time. Having no relationship does not clearly define your role, the status of representation, and could be a cloudy issue should they eventually purchase a property you have shown them. (Procuring Cause.)  This is why getting a relationship on paper established is so important.

Let's hope it was a miscommunication between Inspector, and Buyer.  I would call them, and inquire if the Inspector did reach them. As a courtesy.  Good luck.

 

my question is, even if they were, would you want to work with them?  It seems they are very difficult and unyielding and you hadn't even reached inspection time.  The time to come before close sounds like it would be even more laden with difficult situations.  I would press the "next" button and move on.

Hi Nancy,

I usually do the "one ride and then sign".  I believe in buyers agency but sometimes people are reluctant to sign anything until they know you.  I never present an offer without having the buyers agency.

Just my opinion but if they went ahead and made an offer on the same house then you may have an argument for procuring cause.  If they have offered on another unrelated home then just go on the next client.

You may want to check the status of the listing on the home you offered on.  See if anything is going on there.

Talk to your Broker!

As an inspector I have seen this play out many times. 

Typically what occurs is that the deal does not go thru for some reason or another, they call and set up another inspection.  I always ask where they heard about us and often enough its not from the realtor on the curent deal. 

When I ask what happen to the other realtor, they typically say that they were not repreesenting their best interets and felt uncomfortable during the buyiing process so they severed the relationship.

 

 

 

Nancy - I also had a similar experience.  I was working with a buyer that I had an acquaintance with, showing them home after home after home.  They were motivated to get in by this school year, so I was willing to ride it out.  One day the mortgage broker that I recommended to them got a call about using this special neighborhood program on an offer that they wanted to make "without Adam."  It seems that they had used an agent earlier, but had lost all contact with her.  She called about a home that had a price reduction and pushed them to sign an offer.  Instead of talking to me, they were prepared to use my mortgage broker for special assistance and then put in an offer with some woman that barely gave them the time of day.  The worst part is that they didn't even bother to call me to ask me what to do, or at the very least, to inform me of their decision, with one of the people in the couple knowing full well that we would see each other on a weekly basis for months to come.  My mortgage broker tipped me off because he felt a loyalty to me.  I refer a lot of business to him, and he wanted to protect my interest, even at the expense of losing this couple's business.  I would call your inspector.  It can't hurt.  All he can do is say that he's not comfortable giving you the information.  Maybe he would at least give you a "yes" or "no" answer without the address.

Yes, I would check in, it is almost Sept. Yikes, just ask them if you can send them some updated listings that have come on the market. IF you want to continue working with them ???

Nancy, I think Allison hit the nail on the head - there always has to be an "upfront agreement" conversation.  Initially explain to your prospective client that you will do everything you can to serve them and that you will always be upfront with them, but also ask that they do you the common courtesy by doing the same.  If they can't do that, then you can't be as effective for them as possible.  Ask them to be open and bring up any issues they may have so you can resolve them.

I learned the importance of an upfront agreement in a negotiating class, and it is extremely helpful in a number of situations, even unrelated to real estate.  Then, whenever you are dealing with clients and you don't think they are being truthful, giving you feedback, or cooperating, just gently but firmly remind them about their upfront agreement.  Oh - and put your foot down about signing a buyers agreement.  Tell them that you need to know that they are committed to working with you, and by illustrating that by signing the buyers agreement.  Who's going to say no to that?  If they do, they may be more trouble than they are worth.

As someone wise once said " There are ALL KINDS of people in this World !!! "

 Upfront Buyer Agency Agreements set the tone for Loyalty from the start.

Although it seems difficult today,  learn from it and move on to bigger & better things..... :)

Nancy, I haven't read any of the responses yet but my gut says you never should have been working FOR them in the first place.  I say "FOR" them instead of "WITH" them because they were not reciprocating your level of commitment and dedication.

My philosophy is that people will treat you the way you expect to be treated.  If you allow this type of insensitive, disloyal behavior from your customers or clients (or anyone for that matter) and then justify it by looking for more business with them, then you are asking to be treated poorly. 

Let them go and spend your time looking for clients who will appreciate your dedication and professionalism.

Nancy, your intution is probably right. What a waste of time and gas. You and only you can decide who you want to work with. All money is not good money. Obviously, these jerks never, ever respected you or your investment of time and gas.

By all means call them in September.  Here's another route you might want to take.  If you had them pre-qualified by a lender you recommended, call your lender friend and ask what's going on.  My best REALTORS here in Tucson refer to me because I consider the relationship a "tag team" for new clients.  I reinforce their relationship with the REALTOR,  Can't hurt!

Mike in Tucson