Sorry but you ASSUMED Wrong! I Can't Disclose that Information! Protecting Our Clients!

Sherri:   REALLY?  Realtors and Brokers are still asking those questions?  REALLY!  Thank goodness your clients choose you who gave the right response.

Believe it or not, there are so many agents out there who will give out tht information once a property has gone under contract.  I don't know if they realize the consequences if the the sale does not close or if they are just not aware of the responsibility to their sellers.  I am asked at least once or twice on every property that goes pending the same questions, even by realtors who are simply showing property in the same neighborhood and want to get a feel of what their buyers should offer on a house down the road.

And, I have to admit, I have also asked the same questions and have been truly surprised when I was given the answers.  Knowledge is truly power. 

It is hard to believe what some professionals try to "pull". Things like this have happened to us so many times, you just wonder how the 'profeesional' has made it this far in the business.

Everybody always tries to do this, but being firm and just saying that you won't disclose anything is the only way to go. 

Those are common questions that we can sometimes get from people in our own office or close friends we work with in the same town.  The reality is that it's all information that is seldom known and shouldn't be disclosed prior to the closing.

Sherri,

My point was that a better answer might be "the seller has instructed me not to do so" rather than a flippant answer of "I can't"

When looking at the other comments, I still think most people think they are not allowed to answer price questions etc. and my point is it IS ALLOWED with the sellers consent. And I bet 99% of the people never ask the sellers what they want, they just blurt out "I Can't". And it's not our place to say yes or no without asking the seller.

Sherry, Hey girl!  How is Murfreesboro treating you?  I'm still homesick and would move back in a second :)  Congrats on your featured post.  WELL deserved.  You did the right thing by honoring your sellers.  As many have stated already, no wonder we all have a bad wrap.  I should be shocked that the managing broker asked, but sadly I'm not.  Happy Tuesday to you!

Typical low life realtor behavior that makes us all look bad.  You should have published her name and brokerage so everyone in your area is aware of how she operates. 

Hi Sherry, I can see how this is a delicate situation, and where this needs to be handled like/by a pro. But I see an opportunity to negotiate, in this case perhaps a lost opportunity.

I agree with Andrew @#31 and 56. I suggest this not for you to decide but for your client to make this decision. The responsibility of the listing agent is to negotiate the best possible transaction/outcome with the best yield for the seller based upon the circumstances presented.

If you play it right within the course of the development of the transaction with any buyer, the other buyer 'may' have provided you with an opportunity of a better deal. It's not what you 'disclose' or what you say, it's about how to obtain information from the buyer and respond with ability and savvy, negotiate and work a deal that maximizes the return to the client from any buyer - by following their instructions.

The fact that the buyer-agent is a managing broker is totally irrelevant in this situation and means absolutely nothing.

Hi Sherrie,  Wow, that managing broker was out of line in asking those questions.  You did the right thing for all concerned.

Richard #59   thank you.  I find it very interesting that out of all these comments, people don't seem to get it and their saying the buyers agent was out of line or somehow wrong for asking?  Really?

As you suggested, sometimes by providing the buyer all the details, you can obtain a better result for the seller. Or at least, eliminate the serious offers from the lowballers.

Again, I ask that people go back and read their ethics rules from their boards. Maybe there are some boards that strictly prohibit talking whether the clients gives their ok or not, but I doubt it.

And again to those agent that automatically use the word "cannot", well, yes you can. And in some cases it may be to your clients benefit. Open your eyes!!!!  Think before saying, Cannot. You may be the one that's wrong, not the person asking.

Too many agents will slip up and give the buyers' agent a better negotiating position.  Good for you for sticking to your guns on this one!  When appraisers call me to ask this information prior to closing, I don't give it to them either!

IMHO, if the clients wanted to know what the Sellers would accept they should have made a more reasonable offer to start with... ;:-)

What part of confidential does that other agent not understand?   Or did she think you might be dumb enough to tell?

Sherri,  the point of my post was not really to argue with you, but to point out to all the other agents that assume you "can't" that yes you can. And I got the flippant remark from your title where you said "I can't Disclose that info". I still think saying "my client doesn't want me to" vs. "as my seller's designated agent I can't " is very different. But, what do I know and I guess it's just semantics anyway.

And if you really ever wanted to have a discussion about it, I can point out how it can be beneficial to disclose to the potential buyers what the deal is that you have in hand. But I'm assuming you already have your mind made up that it's not good. No big.

Anyway, not here to argue, just point out to people to really think it thru before saying they CAN'T do something.

Again, I know it against AR rule to disagree with anyone and not say your the greatest. So, I completely agree with you and your the greatest.  :)

I don’t blame the broker for asking but your answer was absolutely correct. If her buyers want to know the final price she can tell them after the transaction is closed since it will reflect in your mls records. I bet she doesn’t call for details at that point!