A little background: I had met a couple about two years ago at an open house I was holding. They really liked the area that my listing was in but they informed me no way was the listing I had worth anyway near what the buyer was asking. I just said thanks for the input and I will pass along all comments to the seller. I know this statement was either out of ignorance or just a tactic but I let it pass. By the way, that house sold at very close to asking in under thirty days.
A few months later, I received a call from this couple (well they were together for about 18 years but never married - no judgment, just an observation). They asked me to be their agent in finding a new home. I already knew their preferred neighborhood but they wanted a turnkey, move-in property for a fixer-upper price. OK, so they read the newspaper and watch cable news but the truth is that the prime homes, ones with a great location, priced correctly and move-in ready are still getting the buyers. Always have, always will.
We look at home after home, sometimes putting in an offer that was too low only to be out bid over and over again. Sometimes we would look at the homes and while they are deciding (one, two, three weeks later) the house is sold and they get upset. One house we looked at in July of last year. I took him there alone, then with his girlfriend, then with his mother, then with his contractor, then again with his girlfriend. Well, they have decided to put their offer in on Christmas eve. So did someone else with a similar offer. The owner was gracious but she was most likely doubtful that they would get to the closing table even if she did take their offer. The seller's agent let me know she went with the other offer.
They are more examples of this behavior but now it's 18 months later. I am blessed to have enough business but would have more if it were not for the time I spent with these clients. This week it was time to cut ties. It was difficult, because they really are nice people, just not decisive. They have bought and sold homes before but I really don't know what the problem was. Of course I self-examine but I've been successfully listing and selling homes all the while. Even venturing into the commercial market and being successful there as well. Right now, I don't have the luxury of wasting even one afternoon showing another house that is so far off what they really wanted or writing another offer that won't be accepted.
I guess this post was more for blowing off a little steam. Nice people but I'm running a business and have to conduct myself as such. Thanks for reading and share if you would like. All comments are welcome...
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