Special offer

When buyers disappear

By
Real Estate Agent with Prudential Damiano Realty

I'm sure everyone at one time or another has experienced this. You have a qualified buyer or buyers, you think you're getting close to the point of them actually offering on a property, and then poof!

 

                                                                 They disappear into the Black Hole

 

Never to be found again.

                                    Phone calls go unanswered.

                                                                             Did aliens abduct your clients? 

                                                                                                                           What exactly happened?

 

I had a young couple who I showed several homes to a few weeks ago over a few days. After our last round of viewing homes, they told me they had serious interest in a few and wanted a few days to talk things over. No problem, that's certainly not out of the ordinary, and in fact a very reasonable thing to do. Sure enough, the call came a few days later from the wife. They had decided on a home that they wanted to offer on. When I tried to set up the appointment to write the offer, the wife told me she needed to check with her husband to see when they could come in to the office and she would call me back to let me know. That was the last I heard from them. It's been 2 weeks, and every-time I call them, I get voice-mail, but never a return call. I'm assuming they changed their minds, but I don't know. I haven't heard from them. What happened?

Could it be

 

       or just another episode of             

 

 

Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Jim, I had something similar happen recently, but I just figured she decided whe can't afford what she wants and is a little embarrassed to call me about it.  I've tried leaving messages, but no return call>

I had another couple many years ago who wrote up an offer on a home but called me the next morning to tell me not to present it because they were getting a divorce!  Go figure. 

 

Jan 16, 2008 02:23 PM
Michael La Fay
Meadow Lakes Supply Co. - Wasilla, AK

I've had this happen a couple of times through out the years... HECK my first offer ever... we got all the way through inspections, repairs etc. and then NOTHING ... they simply NEVER showed up to closing! I was terrified that something had happened to them, but they were fine. Apparently they changed their minds? Were they embarrassed? Apparently they didn't care about the thousands of dollars that they lost...

It happens... and for the first time in years, it happened again 2 weeks ago... He was gungho to buy a house before February... and then nothing! I don't know if he's ok or not... no response... no one has seen him....

Jan 16, 2008 02:27 PM
LaNita Cates
REMAX of Joliet - Joliet, IL
It drives me crazy when people waste our time and then disappear without so much as a "sorry". Drives me nuts!
Jan 16, 2008 02:28 PM
Brian Wentz
Keller Williams Greater Des Moines - Des Moines, IA
Realtor - Des Moines Iowa Real Estate

I was always frustrated by that situation. That was until I became that person: I was buying a much bigger boat, and right when it was time to make the decision, I froze. For about 3-4 weeks I was busy, and really couldn't make a decision-at all! My boat guy (who I have worked with before) called several times before I finally called back. Sometimes indecision can take over. So when that happens to me, I always think about my boat and I can understand, at least a little bit. (Plus now when a buyer does that to me- I can just head out for a day in the boat and relax! Ha!)

Jan 16, 2008 02:40 PM
Antoinette Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP
Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ
There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!
One of the most frustrating phenomena known to REALTORS.  This is why I love listings...homeowners ALWAYS call you back.  LOL
Jan 16, 2008 02:42 PM
Richard Parr
ADT Security Services - Slidell, LA
Home Security Specialist - Greater New Orleans, Louisiana
I have had buyers jump ship in that UFO and fly over to their cousin, uncle, aunt, or other relative with a real estate license that they failed to tell me about.  I hope that is not the case and they write with you.  Reinforcement for getting the Buyers Agency Agreement.
Jan 16, 2008 02:57 PM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate
Just curious, do you try getting them to sign up for a buyer exclusive agency? I have started doing this and incorporating it into a promo for a homeowner's warranty.  
Jan 16, 2008 04:04 PM
Sal Poliandro - Helping People Win
RE/MAX Properties - Ridgewood, NJ
Broker Associate
I can't stand it when people disappear like that!  They can at least let us know!
Jan 17, 2008 10:20 AM
Jim Albano
Prudential Damiano Realty - Little Falls, NJ
Team - Jean-Marie Vantuno / Realtors North Jersey Real Estate

Thanks everyone for commenting. It seems everyone has experienced this phenomenon. Perhaps a Buyer Agency Agreement is the answer. But actually I would settle for a response to my phone calls, "Sorry, we changed our minds" is all I'm looking for. It's the silence that bugs me.

Thanks for the support from my "comrades".

Jan 17, 2008 10:36 AM
Richard Parr
ADT Security Services - Slidell, LA
Home Security Specialist - Greater New Orleans, Louisiana

I agree with Brenda...Keep calling!  When you get them to respond then you will know where you stand.  It could be legit.  I have had people fall off the face of the earth only to come back later and purchase.  Keep calling!  If they give you the NO then move on. 

The 4SWs...            Some Will, Some Won't, So What, Someone's Waiting, NEXT!

Jan 17, 2008 03:12 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
It would be nice if they could let you know they changed their minds, or changed agents, or whatever it is.
Jan 17, 2008 06:49 PM
Mike Klijanowicz
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Perry Hall, MD
Associate Broker @ Cummings & Co. Realtors
They bought with another agent that they had been working with the whole time and they LIED TO YOU!
Jan 19, 2008 01:55 PM
South Austin Real Estate Blog
Sky Realty South Austin - Austin, TX
Jim.. I had that happen a few months ago..  I kept sending them emails and one day the MRS answered my email, they had decided the only way they could get THE home they wanted was to custom build it..so they went out and hired a builder... geez.. I didnt even get to sell them the lot!!  NEXT!!!  :)
Jan 21, 2008 12:53 AM
Prudential Preferred Realty Butler PA
Prudential Preferred Realty - Butler, PA

I just had that happen, and I was actually SHOCKED when they called and said they just can't afford to buy.

I figured I would have to call at least 3 more times before they just told me the truth.

Jan 21, 2008 01:58 AM
Jim Albano
Prudential Damiano Realty - Little Falls, NJ
Team - Jean-Marie Vantuno / Realtors North Jersey Real Estate

It's been 20 days and several more calls with no response. You think they would call and tell me to bug off so they wouldn't have to hear from me anymore. It's more that my curiosity has got me now. The whole thing is just too weird.

Jan 21, 2008 12:50 PM