I Want It Now
They were rather a demanding pair of clients who talked to me every day about the house I was building for their loved ones. It was a rather simple structure with two bedrooms up, main floor living and dining space with access to a recreation room in the basement. The temporary housing being used while waiting for possession was quite adequate, but the dream home was first and foremost in their minds. It didn't matter that I had other obligations and clients; these folk wanted quick results.
More and more that is how customers treat Realtors, and I suspect, many other service providers and businesses. In some cases, the behaviour can go well beyond assertive to downright nasty. Schoolyard bullies do grow up, but I doubt they change their methods, especially if it gets them results from time to time.
It's a growing concern in many professions. In fact, one of our fellow columnists at the Lloydminster Source spoke to this subject last week in her column. I certainly see it every day in my workplace. There is a distinct difference between advocating a position or perspective and threatening strong action if the other side doesn't quite see it your way.
There are different forms of abuse. For example, I received a message at 10:00 PM last Friday night from a party who is demanding to see a lake property 125 kilometers away at 9:00 AM the next morning. No consideration that my Saturday may already be fully committed. They are going through from Edmonton to Prince Albert, staying with friends at a community near the lake, and that is the only time that works for them. It was the first time I had heard of their interest in the property nor had they attempted to discuss its features with me in advance, so we could mutually determine if it would meet their needs. Nor had they been to the bank to see if they could afford it. I want, therefore you shall obey. Guess my response.
Lately the trend has been for buyers to try and force sellers to grant possession within a very short period of time. I get several phone calls every week from other Realtors looking for answer to that for before even making an offer. After too many of these types of inquiries, I simply respond by saying "make us a full written offer, and we will see how it all stacks up". Personally, I will be very glad when we get back to a more balanced market; one where buyers and sellers know that only thing that really works is respectful discussion with some give and take.
Maybe I just have too many years in service to the public to tolerate bad behaviour anymore. Or maybe this approach to negotiating a trade in real estate is the new normal. I sure hope not. It can't be attributed to just one generation either; we experience aggression from people of all ages and economic circumstances. We live in a world where big box stores are open 18, sometimes 24 hours, a day or where the Internet is always "on" and begs for our attention. So maybe we have come to expect instant gratification.
As for the clients mentioned in the opening paragraph; their housing project was completed tonight just in time for Easter. I hope the three bunny rabbits purchased at last week's Rare and Exotic Sale will be as happy in their new home as my two granddaughters were when they saw the hutch was finally done!
Vern McClelland and Michael Dewing are Realtors and partners in The Midwest Group with RE/MAX of Lloydminster. If you have questions or comments on this article or other real estate matters, they can be reached at 780.808.2700 or through the website www.wesellmidwest.ca
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