I agree. I was in a seminar once and the trainer asked about 100 of us how many people had turned down a listing. Only one other guy and myself raised their hands. Amazing! I believe that you work real estate and real estate does not work you. The listing was from a past client who I vowed I would never work for again. I would rather stay home and play with the kids. Thanks for having standards.

Nice post jim I couldn't agree more. The more the listing is overpriced the the more money the seller thinks you should spend advertising it. I learned this lession the hard way but no more

I have simply told my customer that I would not take the listing. I told them thre will be others that come along and take the listing, but they are just simply using that listing ti sell other prpoerties. It just boils down to this. They may not have to sell but I do!!!

Wayne - We have the power to say "NO!"  That is the mark of a true professional!  Have them drive others crazy!  What an easy way to get back at those other agents we cannot stand!  LOL!  I also Like what you said "I would rather stay home and play with the kids.."  Best time spent in the world!

Keith - I think we all learn this lesson the hard way.  Unrealistic sellers caost us more in every way you can imagine!  When we lower the price finally and if you should get an offer they want concessions in commission, repairs etc.  Been there and done that!  Will not do again!

Athrine - I agree fully!

Jim, there was a day not all that long ago in South Jersey where listings were the name of the game.  There were bidding wars on the day the listing hit the MLS. 

Now things are really different.  Some Realtors are having a difficult time adjusting to dealing with buyers rather than just accumulating listings.  

Experience is at a premium.  There is a sea change going on right now.

Tom thanks for the comments!  I agree!  It is basically the same all over. 

http://activerain.com/blogsview/42445/Experience-can-make-a

Definitely the same here.  I have a lady calling me who I had visited almost two years ago, gave her a price opinion, she listed it with another Realtor for $75,000 more than what I said and SURPRISE, it didn't sell!  She tried it FSBO for another year and now wants me to list it.  I told her I will but she has to be reasonable about the price.  I did a current market analysis (our market has dropped) and of course, she felt it was too low.  She keeps calling and asking me about when it will be advertised, etc. and why I was comparing it to other properties that she didn't think were comparable, etc.  Do I really want this listing??  :*)

Well, some of this is this market. We recently had a person call to come out and list an expiring listing.  The seller said the agent was a bum!  When we checked the subdivision stats nothing ever sold!  Every home listed, withdrawn or expired.  This home was pink throughout the entire home.  We passed on it.

In this market it it is brutal selling homes where the seller will work with you.  It is a total drain on the agents when sellers are totally unrealistic.  PASS

I agree 100% My time is the most valuable asset I have. By taking a listing that is not realistically going to sell, I am shooting myself in the foot. I will try just about every dialogue I can to get the seller to adjust price after a period of time, but if I truly feel we can't make it happen, I'd rather spend my time trying to get the next one.

It is my experience if a seller does not reason with price on the front end.  I do not take the listing.  Newer agents will.  It is a waste of time and mental resources.  In this market pricing is critical.  Sellers are in total denial.  Like I said Leave them for the competition.  In the early 90's I took a listing like this on the 4the time.  We sold it.  The seller was finally worn out and ready to listen.

Life is too short to deal with people who are totally irrational if you can help it. There are some things that it is just better to walk away from and these kind of listings are in that group. I work primarily with buyers but I often get referrals for listings and fortunately it's easier to refer them that way since they really see me as a Buyer agent. There are impossible buyers too, but they usually come around faster than sellers if they are serious about buying a house.

We  used to be listing agents...Today....I prefer buyers.