A few months ago my phone rang and the couple on the other end  starting asking questions about one of my listings in Prince William County.  As we talked I learned that they and just written an offer with a builder on a new home but were having second thoughts.  The more they talked it was obvious they weren't entirely happy with their decision.  More importantly they felt since they had already given the builder a deposit check that if they tried to back out of the contract they would lose their 5 % deposit.   Despite the fact that they had already met with the builder and signed a contract  I felt it was in their best interest for me to give them as much information as possible so they were more informed about the new home buying process.   After a long conversation they had more information to go back and have another conversation with the builder about what they wanted and potentially negotiate additional concessions.

A few days later my phone rang again and it was the same callers.  They had gone back to the builder and cancelled their contract (they were within the 10 days provided by Virginia Law) and they asked for my assistance in helping them find another place to call home.  We made arrangements to meet for coffee and talk about next steps.  As we were getting to know each other, turns out we both have daughters living in the UK, it came to light that they had called three agents that fateful Sunday afternoon.  Yet as soon as they had told the other agents that they were under contract the agents cut them off without any offer of advice or assistance.

My mother used to say "don't cut off your nose to spite your face" and it seems appropriate in this case.  If they had told me they were represented by an agent then my conversation with them would have been different but they said clearly they were on their own.  I had no idea when we were talking that they would cancel their contract or every call me again.  As a Realtor it is my responsibility to educate buyers within the bounds of ethics whether there is a commission at the end of the conversation or not. 

So before you hang up the phone make sure you understand the full story.  The other agents who cut them off missed the opportunity to get to know a great couple and in the end sell them a home.

For more information on buying new construction in Northern Virginia:
The AH-HA Moment
The Value of Talking to the Neighbors

©Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved. 
Northern Virginia Real Estate , Cindy Jones, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Allegiance