Do You Refer Experts to Your Clients - And If It Goes Wrong?

Does it make sense to refer clients to folks that you’re comfortable using? I’m wondering if it’s best to avoid the “…you said” nonsense if/when things go wrong. Given the public perception of agents, I also wonder if despite our best intentions with recommendations, is that looked at by a client with a jaundice eye?

I recently closed a deal with a buyer that was impossible to please; found fault with everything and everyone. While the home remained a solid purchase and a great fit for their needs, their incessant haranguing and condescending approach to everyone involved in the process was off putting and rude.

Mr. and Mrs. Expert were self-important “internet professors”; you know the type, look it up on the web and whatever is found that works for them is to be taken literally. This isn't unique to real estate of course. In the past, “they say” was the route; now it’s “according to the blah blah website”…

These buyers found fault with everything; the appraisal came in at sale price and comps were challenged, GFI’s were tested by electricians but they had doubts and brought their own tester, a video inspection was demanded for a fireplace used 4-5 times in 10 years after being cleared by a fireplace inspection firm, a noted stucco inspector with 20+ years of experience doesn’t know what he’s doing, ground hornets were not eradicated in a week despite the expert saying the pesticide takes six weeks to impact the life cycle; the GFE was not prepared properly by the lender, not having the completed HUD days before the closing is unacceptable, and on and on and on.

Some of the folks excoriated were my recommendations and it bugged me. I usually suggest two or three folks in a trade that I’ve used in the past and trust to do a good job. Now I’m wondering if this was just a fluke with miserable buyers or if I might back off and let the clients do their own research and selections. Like all of you, my recommendations are targeted toward giving the clients trusted folks, that’s it.

Oh – I was their third agent….I could get a sense of why but I never expected the drama and really rude, condescending, disrespectful behavior that I saw. At the end of the day, they have a great home and things worked out but I just thought I’d toss this out here for opinions….