I read someone else's featured post today, and found many of the comments very interesting, almost as interesting as the blog post itself. There are so many things in real estate that frustrate us, but before we rush to judge, I think we should all take the time to realize that there are always two sides...
Mr. Seller's Agent,
I am submitting a very low offer on one of your properties. Please, do not be offended, or angry, or upset with me, the agent, for submitting this. Also, please do your best to help your sellers not be angry or offended. Allow me to explain...
Please know that I have tried and tried to re-educate Mr. and Mrs. X on how real estate works here in America, but I just can't do it. They will not accept a different way of thinking. You see, they have only been in our country for a little over two months.
Their culture is very different from ours, even and especially the business culture. In their world, it is expected that people will bargain. When they hear the price, they normally offer half of the asking price. This does not offend the seller, and is expected - the seller are surprised if they offer more than 50% the first time. Now, they are asking to see homes that are a little higher than they can afford. Again, this is normal in their culture. Sellers price things properly, so they have plenty of room to negotiate.
Like I said, I have tried to teach them the way we do things, but they can not accept all of our ways just yet. I am actually really thankful that they are only offering 12% less than the asking priced.
Also, they have not yet learned that they can't trust everything they hear on the news. Therefore, they understand that it is a buyer's market, and that buyers should be making really low offers right now. Even if it is not true in our area (as you and I know), they can not comprehend that the media may not be accurate. They heard that on CNN, so they are having a hard time accepting anything different.
I must admit, I feel a little bad for them. They are a bit overwhelmed, since they now have to use a language that the learned and practiced only with other members of their culture in high school. Imagine yourself in the same position. Remember the two years of Spanish or French you had in high school? Now move to Spain or France. Now, after 15 years.
So you see, I would really like to find them a home, because they are really good people. However, I also need to put a deal together for myself. I am a single dad, and have been in the business for three years. I have never experienced a market like this before, and I am having a difficult time making ends meet right now. I can not afford to fire these clients, no matter how much of my time they take.
Again, please do not be offended by this offer. I would have just called you on the phone, but the last time I did, a very experienced agent was quite rude to me and told me to put it in writing, and not to ever call her again until I had it in writing. I did not want to offend you that way, so I do apologize if this is a waste of your time.
With respect,
Struggling Sam, real estate agent
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