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I am a WYSIWYG kind of guy who can't stand working with HTML clients.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Austin Texas Homes, LLC 453249

 

If you read my blog regularly, you can see that I don't have a lot of secrets.  I share my life pretty openly here, and this is really very much like my online diary at times, although I feel that I do contribute some solid real estate information as well. 

 

Basically, what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) when it comes to my personality and the way that I deal with people.  You can learn about my family, which songs I listen to in the privacy of my car or the shower, things that irritate me, situations that I am dealing with each week with my business, and who my friends are around here. 

 

I can pretty much get along with ANYONE normal.  Yes, I said normal.  Yes, I can pretty much judge what is normal and what is not.  I can also usually get along with just about anyone who deals with me honestly, even if I don't always like what they have to say.

 

Since the new year began, I am happy to say that I have had written and executed four contracts myself, not including anything from my partners or the agents that work with us.  This is a terrific start to be sure, and I haven't had any HTML clients lately

What?!?  Back up for a minute.  What am I talking about here?

HTML clients are those that are "Hard-To-Manage Liars" or "Hard-to-Manage Losers" or "Hard to Manage Lately".  You could also use any other word that you think will fit here. 

 

 

I am frankly bored of dealing with these types of clients.  Here's a quick way to know that you are dealing with your own set of HTML clients, based on some previous real-life experiences of mine:

  • They look at over 90 homes before honing in on "just the right one" (this happened ONCE to me, and only once, several years ago)
  • They hammer you for part of your commission to cover a minor repair item at the last minute.
  • They call you while drunk in order to cuss at you about the lack of showings for their home.
  • They are unwilling to recognize the fact that their desired price is simply too high.
  • They have their accounts frozen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (this also really happened to me in 2001).
  • They decide on an expensive home, only to have their son get sued for custody of his children, and they must divert funds to help him out.
  • They decide on a really expensive home (which happens to be your listing, no less), only to have their manager steal their money and leave the country (this happened to me in 1998 with a professional touring musician).

The list goes on and on.  Basically, HTML clients are not any fun for any of us.  I hope to continue to avoid them throughout 2008.

Thanks for reading!

 

Posted by

 

If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary website at www.austintexashomes.com.  Thanks!

Don Wixom
RE/MAX Executives Nampa, ID - Nampa, ID
"Looking out for your next move..."tm
Jason, Your creativity amazes me!  I have had a few HTML clients, fortunately I block them out and tend to the genuine WYSIWYG ones...  Thanks for the post!
Feb 11, 2008 02:44 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

MARCHEL - I am happy that you liked this one.  I had it in mind for quite awhile, but I couldn't quite tie it together in my mind until today.  As for the comment doubling thing, it seems to be a common complaint.  I saw TWO featured posts about it.

JOEY - Yes, this is a Crouch original.  As I mentioned to Marchel, I have had it in mind for months, but I wasn't sure what I would use for the HTML part until I sat down to write it.  Yes, this applies for both politicians and clients alike.

FRAN - The first closing I had for over $1 million was a client that originally looked with me in 1999, then resurfaced over three years later and bought something after looking with various other agents in the interim.

DAN - To be honest, after I had shown them about 20-30 homes, it simply became a challenge to get them into something.  In other words, I was just determined to do so.

Feb 11, 2008 03:35 PM
Fran Gatti
RE/MAX Integrity - Medford, OR
Managing Principal Broker - RE/MAX Integrity

Or they decide to cut down a huge tree in the front yard and take it with them the day before closing.  Yeesh, some people.

Feb 11, 2008 03:47 PM
Paul Slaybaugh
Homesmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ Real Estate

"Why You Should Invest With Your Gut:  How To Make Loads!"

You need to write this book, Jason!

 

Feb 11, 2008 04:03 PM
Rita Narragon
R3 REALTY, LLC - Sioux Falls, SD

You are just so clever.  I love it.  I too am a WYSIWYG kind of gal.  But, it's those darn HTMLs that find that attractive for some reason.  Hmmm...I guess if they bring their checkbook we'll go house hunting.

BTW leave it to Paul to come up with another definition.  I'm ready to read that book, too!

Feb 11, 2008 04:37 PM
Jolynne Photography, Creative Wedding Photography, Family Portraits, Bar Mitzvahs
Jolynne Photography - Hemet, CA
Bat Mitzvahs, Senior Pictures, Event Photography
Paul: Invest with my gut? I suppose it is one of my appreciating assets.
Feb 11, 2008 06:02 PM
Deb Dahlberg - Rowland
Stanberry Realtors - Bastrop, TX
Deb Sells Texas!

So I always knew what HTML stood for as I have had a few of those! But OMG  I  never figured out the WYSISYG thing (although that is basically my format too).  Fun stuff Jason. 

From the country bumpkin in Bastrop.........Deb

Feb 11, 2008 11:15 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate
Jason, well done!  I've very glad you spelled out the acronyms for me!
Feb 12, 2008 01:16 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

CHUCK - Sounds like you have your priorities straight, my friend.

MELINA - Yes, consider yourself blessed not to have had some of these experiences or clients.

 

Feb 12, 2008 05:59 AM
Julie Escobar
Tampa, FL
President, Darryl Davis Seminars
Very clever post!  I admit the first time I saw WYSIWYG I thought, "WHAT?" - course my dad was a 32 year Navy radioman -- so acronyms were our life  - loved figuring it out!  Keep blogging and great job on the points - I've got a L O N G way to go!
Feb 12, 2008 07:14 AM
Wendy Montoya, REALTOR® Broker Associate, 254-315-4906
Towne Adams REALTORS - Waco, TX
Good analogy, makes sense to me! One of the reasons your blog is so good is because of your personalized writing style. I have to thank you for that. Sometimes it is hard to open up and just be yourself. Especially in simple words, but those are always the best posts. At least the ones I enjoy most. Keep on giving us your gifts!
Feb 12, 2008 09:10 AM
Shannon Lefevre
John R. Wood Properties - Naples, FL
Shannon Lefevre, PA Your Naples Smart Girl
You can always do the Heisman if you need to!   That's what I do when I get a hold of an HTML.
Feb 12, 2008 10:53 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

RYAN - I consider myself to be a php (person helping people).  Thanks for asking!

JILL - That one does sound like a doozy!  You're right - I have been doing this for awhile now (just over 11 years).  The stories tend to accumulate over time.

LINDA - Thanks!  I have had enough HTML clients to last a lifetime!

MARK - I don't think this exists yet, but I do know that there would be a solid market for such a product if developed.

MARC - Glad you liked it!  I agree with you - they are funny AFTER the fact, but not while we are dealing with them.

Feb 12, 2008 11:28 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

JEM - Sorry to disappoint since it didn't contain any tips for you, but I'm glad you enjoyed it regardless.  Have a great week!

DEB - I enjoyed the post that this one inspired for you.  Have a terrific week, my friend.  Let's talk sometime soon if you have a chance.

JULIE - I so appreciate your continued compliments about my writing.  You are one of the people here who keep me going.  Thanks!!!

AUDREY - Thanks.

ANONA - I wish the same for you this year.  Thanks for reading!

DOTTIE - Thanks for saying that.  I hope your year and career are free of any HTML clients, too!

SANDRA - I had some similar clients that worked with us for months, then disappeared for years, then resurfaced and bought a $1.2 million home from me a few years back.  Crazy!

BRIAN - I think I will just accept the title of King of AR Acronyms soon.  :-)  I have had a bunch that looked at 20 or more homes, but no one else has approached the 90 mark since those particular clients (thankfully).

LISA HILL - First of all, sorry I have to use your whole name.  Lisa Heindel also regularly comments on my posts, so "Lisa H" doesn't even suffice in that case.  I'm glad you liked this post.  It garnered more attention than I had expected.  Have a great week!

SARAH - I would actually wear that shirt.  No dreaming - I may just have one made.

Feb 12, 2008 04:36 PM
Vanessa Stalets
RE/MAX Elite - Brentwood, TN
REALTOR, Brentwood TN Homes, Real Estate
Jason- Here's to an HTML free 2008! Beware everyone...lol Unfortunately I have a couple HTML's currently...sigh.
Feb 14, 2008 12:01 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
VANESSA - Absolutely!  Sorry to hear that you are working with some HTML clients right now. 
Feb 14, 2008 02:36 AM
Christina Strommen Stevens
Southwest Realty Advisors LLC - Galveston, TX
Galveston Texas Realtor, Vacation home expert
cute.  As a person who works with HTML I was a bit confused by the title.  Did you come up with this comparison yourself?  Most common folk have no idea what HTML even is yet I am married to a computer science nerd.  Plus as an agent who manages her own website I have learned quite a bit about basic HTML which I so hate. 
Feb 14, 2008 04:20 AM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
CHRISTINA - Yes, the comparison was all mine.  Of course, WYSIWYG wasn't my original acronym, but the other one is.  Glad you liked it - have a great day!
Feb 14, 2008 04:47 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I'm glad you made and exception for me and decided to like a non normal person - lol

Feb 17, 2008 05:15 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)
TODD - It's important to show simple kindness every now and again.  You're welcome.  :-)
Feb 18, 2008 01:09 AM