"Can you show us a home this weekend"
An Email arrived in my inbox early Friday December 28, 2012 from some potential clients who I had not heard from in months. The Email did not tell me which home they wanted to see but indicated they wanted a viewing this weekend. Of course I Email back as soon as I saw their request telling them no problem but I needed an MLS number or address and subdivision of where the home is located. I also said I was available all day Saturday and after noon on Sunday. They agreed to meet any time on Saturday and provided the home information. The home is older home by Katy Texas standards but has been smartly updated and was originally built by an excellent builder.
The last time I had correspondence with these folks was when they wanted to view a home in Cross Creek Ranch in Fulshear one evening during late August of this year. They wanted to meet at the home and I told them my policy is to meet at my office since I had never meet them in person. They canceled our meeting at the last minute as they did not want to go to my office or a public place. My normal process is to meet the first time at our office or at Starbucks or Panera Bread or some public place as for me this is just smart and safe business practice. Frankly, I never had any issues with real clients by requiring this type of meeting. Once I meet them for the first time and they appoint me as their Realtor meeting them at any home or location is no issue whatsoever.
The potential clients wanted me immediately to send to them the required Sellers Disclosures and my CMA for the property. I had to contact the listing agent to ask for the Disclosures as these documents were not available and I proceeded to work on a CMA for this home. They also indicated they were going to pay all cash for this home. I guess that was part of their subterfuge to get me to do what they wanted. They wanted the information in advance of seeing the home.
I set an appointment to meet at the home for 1 PM on Saturday and called the listing service to obtain owner's approval of the showing. I was bending my own policy but I know this neighborhood and area fairly well, the appointment was at 1 PM on a Saturday afternoon and I was going to leave all kinds trace data as to my whereabouts and inform my potential clients that several folks know where I am at this Saturday and with whom I am going. As far I was concerned any safety issue of not knowing these folks was put to rest.
My new Email to them indicated we had appointment to view the home, I gave them some but not all of the CMA information and that I would meet them at the home since last time they had an issue with going to my office or a public place near my office. I also told them they would have to appoint me as their Realtor by signing a Buyers Representation agreement. I had Email correspondence with the listing agent and obtained the Sellers Disclosures. Everything was was all set so so I thought. I unfortunately had already spent (wasted) about two valuable hours of my time working on this showing
Shortly after sending my Email telling them they had to appoint me as their agent I got response from the potential client stating i had to cancel the appointment. I responded with a simple question of Why but I already had a good idea as to what had happened. These folks in my opinion probably had a Buyers Representation agreement in place with another agent they are working with and this agent was too busy or out of town or too lazy or too whatever to show them this home this weekend. A possibility is their agent is a relative of theirs who lives outside the Houston MLS area. I have had this same scenario happen many times in the past where folks want me to do all the work and some other agent earn the commission. I am sure most agents have run into this nonsense numerous times during their careers as Realtors. It crossed my mind that probably back in August they had the same issue as they wanted nothing to do with meeting anywhere but at the home.
The other party did not answer my Email question as to asking why they had canceled. I essentially fired them before we had agreement by sending them an email telling them what I thought had happened and why they canceled the appointment. I also stated “Do you work for free? Of course not and then why are you asking me to do that? “ Several hours later they responded that I had trust issues and ‘not Interested” in me. Sorry I has already fired you folks as potential clients.
If these folks read my blog I did not give you all the CMA data as I have learned never to give all the information upfront without a commitment from the buyers. You cannot commit to me to appoint me as your agent but at the same time I am the one that has trust issues?? Really!!! However, I am sure your Top Notch Realtor you are using to represent you will have everything figured out for you! Good Luck ... How about the Sellers Disclosures you wanted? As they say in France C'est la vie mon ami!
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