On Sunday I received a call from a prospective client asking to see two properties in our area that she was interested in. As we are trained to do, the first question I asked was "Are you under contract with any other real estate agent"? She in turn replied no, and thus, I started the process. So, I met her and her husband yesterday for a two home tour that took about 3 hours total (they really liked them both and spent a whole lot of time on each), and then even connected them to a mortgage broker whom I trust and work with. One of the properties was my colleague's listing, and she got a call today from an agent hoping to put an offer on her property that my prospective clients had seen... the only problem was, I was not the agent who called! You see, despite the fact that the buyers said they were not working with anyone, they really were. They had been working with a "family" friend for a while but did not want to bother her with coming down to our area to show them property, so they lied. Yes, imagine that, the buyer lied.
It is possible that I may have some just cause here for a % of the deal if it goes through, even if just for a showing fee and not the commision, but that is not what made me so hot around the collar. I pride myself with being open and honest in all of my business transactions, and I idealistically thought others did the same. This particular situation opened this rookie's eyes a bit, and going forward, I will certainly be more cautious of buyers who are also liars. Shame on me for believing, but shame on them for lying. Lesson learned... and learned well.
Best of luck new agents!
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