Pay it Forward - Fired! What I Get for Protecting My Client

Howdy and evening to you Pat

Pat, I sure sorry that was done to you. One thing is for sure, its his loss. He will not find another Agent that is better than you to help him!

Have a good one
Dale in New Hampshire

Pat, it amazes how so many consumers think they know better than the professionals they are dealing with.  I just came off one where my buyer was playing games with me and his financing.  He went to at least 5 different lenders that I know of and was bound and determined to purchase this one home.  Every time he put in an offer, it was declined due to offer not being high enough.  Despite my best efforts to help him, he KNEW better than me and was going to go forward with what he wanted to do.  Some people you just can't help.  He just emailed me to say they are not looking any further.  Do I believe him???? No, not after what I knew he has done.  ;)

Pat, I think, IMHO, the problem is that so much of what we see in MLS is "for agents only",  so that the "perception" when we tell it to the clients is that we're making it up.  They can't see what we're seeing.  And, of course, on limited internet searches, they see even less. 

I think MLS needs to have publicly visible and MANDATORY fields for allowable financing types and for the under contract, accepting backup offers only  fields.  This is constantly an issue when clients are constantly looking on the web and there are so many unreliable and unregulated sites out there. 

Oh My!  So sorry to hear about that buyer.  You definitely approach things like I do.  I get called momma c sometimes at the office.  It is unfortunately that people do not seem to take our profession seriously.  I usually have to comfort myself with "what goes around comes around".

Pat,

I am so sorry you had this happen to you.  Tim wasn't worth your time.  You may have run into other issues with him down the road.  Don't change a thing.  You handled is very professional and didn't mislead your clients as too many do.  I have a buyer who is a nightmare but I am patiently helping them through the short sale process.  Sometimes I wonder if I should have asked them to find another agent.  

I think that this guy sounds like trouble.  Let him go, this is about his own stuff and you know that you did your job and you did it well.  Take satisfaction in that!

Hi Pat,

Oh my, sounds to me like this situation that another told him what he wanted to hear, vs. what he really needed to hear, obviously a huge difference. Only time will tell when he's probably be disappointed in the long run.

When it's comes to negotiating, I always try to leave the door open, he may be back at a point when he fully realizes you were only looking out for his best interest.  I'd also give a quick (yet not detailed) heads up to those who referred you in the first place.

Btw, often when I'm writing an offer (similar to you) I'll let my clients know that "I'm writing this offer the same way I would if you were my own son or daughter, (or if it's more appropriate) like any member of my family.

Hi Pat, I am afraid our profession has a reputation of some agents being less than forthright and looking for the easy road.  Unfortunatley great agents, like you, get painted with the same distrust.  You and I know he will find out that what you were telling him is correct...there is not magic wand out there that will make the FHA property requirements go away.  Don't get bogged down with this Pat, its too bad, but we always need to move on.

Pat - this is his loss and a client you don't want to work with anyway! It sounds like he only wants to hear what he want to hear - not reality! I'm sure later down the road he'll wish he had stayed with you when he realizes the reality of his choices! Your ethics and honesty are what make you a great agent!  

Hi Pat~ You were providing the best service possible, but you weren't telling Tim the things he wanted to hear and he didn't like it.  Don't compromise yourself.  You did the right thing.  So sleep well at night.  His friends/your past clients referred him to you for a reason, he just didn't understand it!  :-)

Pat~ I have had this happen to me too. Sometimes they make the mistake and end up coming back. I always have taken comfort in the fact that I am always honest with the my clients, unfortunately they don't always like what I have to say.

Pat, That stinks!  We have had this happen to us as well.  I hope that things work out well for Tim, but they would have had a better chance had he stayed working with you!  It is important that we care enough about our clients to educate, inform and protect them!

Pat, sometimes those first time home buyers just need to get burned, then they will understand all the efforts you put into your relationship with them!     Working with our young buyers can be very frustrating, when they want what they want, and don't except no for an answer!     You did what you were suppose to --- protect the client, and it is THEIR loss!

Pat, if nothing else, you can take solace in knowing that you did your best to protect your client. And, at the end of the day, all you have left is your integrity... something that you didn't compromise.

Pat, it happens when you're trying to make the client understand and all they want to do is buy what they want, even if it's not practical. Tim, initiated a relationship with the name on the sign, and may be getting taken for a ride, with no one to blame but himself. At the end of the day, we know we have a clear conscience and have done the best we could.

Pat how awful, I’m so sorry that happened to you. Sounds like you did everything to make the process as easy as possible. There has to be something he’s not telling you.