I Am So Grateful For The Buyer I Just Fired!

From one Eileen to another - good job!  I will put up with a lot of things, but doubting my motivation and integrity is just going too far.  We routinely recommend inspectors, surveyors, plumbers, electricians, etc. and the reason they get the recommendation is because we know them and know that they do a good job!

As someone else noted, you have to wonder about someone who is always questions anothers honesty....

As a loan originator, at times I find the need to fire buyers as well.  You said it best, "qualify the buyer, not just financials but in quality and substance as well."

Life is short.

Good for you!!!!!  We've all been there!

I have been in your shoes. I love how you notice that the world didn't end because you gave a bad client their walking papers. It is actually a liberating experience. 

Just like in any relationship if there is not trust with a client it is time to bid them farewell. If someone gives me a bad feeling then I generally regift them to another lucky soul. Life is just to short to work with people that make your head ache. 

Jim, I can understand some of what you are saying.  I started in this business in 2008 after a 17 year career in finance.  I bought my first house in 2004 and sold it in 2008 and now rent.  I got into this business to help people.  All I know in this job is a depreciating market.  My job and what I do is help people who need to sell their homes and help buyers who choose to buy homes.  I enjoy working with people who want me to help them and that trust me to assist them them in achieving their goals, and to do it fully in their best interests.  I have never had a 'soft inspection', nor would I ever want one.  When I work with a client, I want that client to be a client for life.  I would never jeopardize any of my client's interests in order to 'get a deal done', and it's absurd to assume that this occurs or that their aren't ethical realtors. 

That being said, I will say that I do agree with you on some of your points.

Very frustrating and certainly tough to deal with someone who is always second guessing you and trusting the opinion of people who really add no value to the process. 

Eileen, I'm sure you'll be a LOT more productive in your real estate business now that you've moved past this (ahem) difficult buyer. Personally, I think that questioning ethics was where I would have drawn the line! :)

Good for you!  I think that you had to learn the hard way that some buyers cannot trust anyone!  These buyers do not deserve your knowledge and 31 years of experience.  Good luck to you in finding buyers that appreciate you!

We hate to do it but when we do, it feels so good.

Hi Eileen-

Sometimes, we just have to let them go and they need to move on.  It's just a reality of human nature. Try not to take it to heart.

--Sara in San Antonio

You go girl -- sounds like you were plenty patient and likely had you spent time to write 3 or 4 more offers something would have always been wrong and you might never have actually sold her a home anyway - after spending more time --- all the best.

Congratulations!!! This was an inspirational post. Chances are, that buyer will never buy anything!

Eileen,

It gets easier.  I started taking the machete to buyers 3 years ago (if not 4 now).

I felt better, my family felt better, AND I had more time for other more legitimate buyers.

Yes, every buyer deserves courtesy, and often education, but there are parameters beyond which no amount of professionalism can overcome.

Good luck with the next buyer

Eileen -- sometimes there is no other way.  One of the advantages we have (vs. those who are working in a corporate bureaucracy with team members who are negative), is that we can decide whether to work with a particular client.  Of course it helps if you have an ABUNDANCE of leads and contacts.  That's why I alwyas tell new people getting into the business -- you don't need leads, you need an OVER ABUNDANCE of leads.