Buyers Are Liars and So Are Sellers...Doing Our Own Homework!

 

Real Estate Schools sometimes give pre-licensing students a grim view of the profession they are about to enter. I clearly remember more than one instructor informing the class that “Buyers are Liars…and so are Sellers”. Do you think there is truth in that statement?

Until the last couple of days, I can’t say that I’ve run into any buyers who were blatant, out and out liars but certainly have run into a few who would “stretch” the truth a bit. Exaggerate a situation. You know, turn a dripping faucet into a scenario of the sink that is likely to fall into the basement, a roof that is 10 years into its 20 year useful life into a roof likely to develop leaks in the next few months, or a three year old carpet that is certain to be the harbinger of allergens and disease. Maybe that’s all part of the “game” and usually the seller’s agent sees right through that...if they've done their own homework.

How about buyers who employ “scare tactics” and utilize untrue facts?

If you are the listing agent, don’t you go through your own “due diligence” period when you take a listing? Isn’t the last thing you want happening is an unexpected “issue” to rear it’s ugly head during negotiations or inspections?

Don’t you just hate when buyers “assume” you haven’t already checked things out for yourself regarding the Environmental Health Department for water or septic issues, the County Clerk of Court for liens, the Planning Department for restrictions or anything else that any decent REALTOR would be reasonably expected to know about the listing?

Isn’t it professionally dangerous for us to accept listings with our heads stuck in the sand like ostriches? Although, I know there are agents who embrace a “no-disclosure” approach to listing…I’m hoping they are in the minority for the public’s sake.

If an agent doesn’t take the precautionary step to understanding their listings then they won’t be in a position to do what we just did…know for a certainty when a buyer was lying blowing smoke. Does that kind of investigation ahead of time take valuable time? Sure it does…it takes a TON of time…valuable, precious time.

But then, what do you think you get paid for? Unlocking doors?

I don’t believe we can stereotype all buyers and sellers to fit into the “Buyers are Liars…and So Are Sellers” description, but I do think we need to be prepared for the minority who are!

 

 

 

 

 

     

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