I Don't Care About Your Bum Ankle, Medical Expenses & Clogged Arteries

Recently I submitted an offer for one of my buyers. The listing agent provided us a counter to our offer. With the Listing Agents email was a 2 paragraph email from her seller explaining her health problems which included, clogged arteries, high medical bills and an alleged hurt ankle. The Sellers story was followed up with a gentle reminder that should could not sell her home for any less due to these medical problems.

First and foremost I find it terrible that both cancer and heart disease account for so many deaths in this country. Each one of us can lower those numbers by controlling how we live our lives.

Now that I've said something kind I want to be even more honest and explain how I truly feel about the email.

1. I do not care about a sellers excuse as to why they cannot negotiate. I only care if I can take any information I get and fairly & legally use it to my buyers fullest advantage. If a Seller cannot negotiate because they are upside down, then that's one thing. A seller being constipated or dizzy is of no concern. Drink some damn prune juice or go see a doctor.

2. I almost wonder if the Seller's health wasn't in as poor condition as she describes. I wouldn't put it past ANYONE in this day and age to lie, attempt to manipulate or use "sob stories" to increase their bottom line & use sympathy as tool to negotiate.

I hope this Seller's health improves. I hope she can kick field goals and go jogging. So you know, her health reasons did not sway me or my Buyer's negotiations. We held firm with our original offer. There is no rule or unwritten rule in real estate that suggest "meeting in the middle" is ideal. A home is only worth what a buyer is willing to pay. How your body feels isn't a factor.

All that said, is a Buyer's Agent required to share a Seller's health problems with their Buyer? What if the Buyer's Agent didn't want his client using the sob story to sway their decision?