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I'll pay you to show me homes this weekend

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage 531132

Thought BubbleYesterday I received a call from a customer who was coming down from New York this weekend to see homes. He had a list that he compiled from the IDX on my website. Great start...I love proactive customers.

 

That being said, he failed the first question I asked…”are you working with an agent?”” Yes, I’m committed to an agent in Maryland already.” It seems though that he and his agent weren’t communicating very effectively, since his agent will be out of town during his house hunting trip this weekend. As they say, stuff happens.

 

I spent a little bit of time telling him why I wouldn’t show him homes, and that’s when he said…”I’ll pay you to show me homes, how much is the minimum wage in Maryland?”

 

After I stopped chuckling, belly laugh really, I told him that whatever it is, it’s not enough to get me in a car to open doors for someone committed to another agent.

 

I then gave him the best counseling I could. Call your agent and find out who his backup is, and if that doesn’t work, call the broker.

 

Yes, we agents do occasionally take some time off...but when we do, we have to remember that the world of real estate doesn’t stop. Have a backup plan ready on who is going to cover for you, or risk losing a client.



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 Richard Iarossi is a full time licensed REALTOR®, working in Crofton, MD. My coverage areas are: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Calvert, Queen Anne, and Baltimore City and County. I specialize in residential real estate, working with both buyers and sellers. Use the registration free search on my website at www.RichSellsHomes.com. If you’re not already working with a REALTOR®...I can help. Call me at 443-995-9595 (Cell) or 410-451-6255 (Office).

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Comments(81)

Eileen Liles
970-216-0530 http://WeSellDeltaCounty.com - Cedaredge, CO
Macht-Liles Real Estate Group - Cedaredge, CO

Just about the time we think we have heard it all...  I love that you belly laughed at him!  Have a WONDERFUL weekend.

Jan 09, 2014 05:35 AM
Randy Shamburger
Movement Mortgage - Greenville, SC
FHA, VA, USDA and Conventional Mortgage Expert

Minimum wage??? Wow, just amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Have a Big day,

Randy

Jan 09, 2014 05:43 AM
The Temple Team
THE TEMPLE TEAM - Mooresville, NC
Specializing in Lake Norman/Charlotte/Charleston

Richard ... What a GREAT story (I too loved the "Belly Laugh" part) ... and thanks for sharing with all of us!  BEST WISHES & CONTINUED SUCCESS in 2014 and Beyond!  Happy New Year!

Jan 09, 2014 05:44 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

You know, your post is kinda like the Facebook "Like" feature.  I'd "like" this post, but don't like the logic . . . logic?!? of the buyer.  Minimum wage.  HA HA HA  That's funny, in a back-handed compliment way.

Jan 09, 2014 05:47 AM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Richard, I think you hit the "HOT" button with this post! Great advice for everybody to have a backup. BTW, Your response to this individual was right on the money, so to speak!

Jan 09, 2014 06:29 AM
Frank Iglesias
Working With Houses, LLC - Atlanta Real Estate Investments - Lawrenceville, GA
Atlanta, GA Real Estate Investor

Well Richard, you did a good job by handling the situation very well.  Anyway, you are right, we all need a back when we re away. Planning ahead of time is very important. 

Jan 09, 2014 09:38 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Soemtimes you just gotta say "no" - and this was definitely one of them. But consumers do seem to have trouble grasping the implications of "exclusive" buyer agency, don't they?

Jan 09, 2014 09:46 AM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Guaranteed Offer for your Home - eXp realty - Atlanta, GA

Now that was a funny story Richard. I almost didn't read it, cuz I'm getting ready to call it a night. Reminds me of a friend who wanted me to help her deal black jack at a party. The gig paid $100 and she couldn't understand why the money wasn't enough for me to go stand on my feet all night and be bored to death watching amateurs play black jack. Kind of like watching that dude look at homes all day for minimum wage! I'd rather pass.

Jan 09, 2014 10:18 AM
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Minimum wage, hum?  That may be a pay raise--considering how much time we spend dealing with ignorance, arrogance, mule-headedness, thoughtlessness, and lack of communication.  It is a good thing that we love our jobs.

Richard, thank you for reminding us to be on our toes.  We should also remember that HUD is known to send field agents out to test our ethics and understanding of the law (i.e. Fair Housing, ECOA, and Reg Z, etc).

Three cheers for our team.  Good job, Richard.  Only politicians can get away with taking money under the table.

Jan 09, 2014 11:20 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Richard, some buyers never understand how we work! (And 'minimum wage'....he's got some courage I must say!)

Jan 09, 2014 01:07 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Richard, Minimum wage, Ha. Try 75 to 100 an hour with a 2 day minimum. For $1600 for 2 days work, I would be glad to show any home he wanted. 

Jan 09, 2014 01:13 PM
Geri Sonkin
Douglas Elliman Real Estate 516-457-7103 - Merrick, NY
Long Island Real Estate & Staging Expert

The temerity of some people never ceases to amaze me.  Clearly this guy, aside from not playing by the rules, had no appreciation for your value.

Jan 09, 2014 01:24 PM
Scott Fogleman
New Home Team - Richmond, VA

Richard- Wow.. youcouldbe gettinga full $7 an hour.. It almost pays for your gas.. Sounds like the agent doesnt understand he is in business...

Jan 09, 2014 06:37 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hey Richard, I have been asked the same thing many times down here in Miami Beach. Their agent is actually taking a beach day but they want to see stuff today-yeah reallty, next!

Jan 09, 2014 06:52 PM
Sarah Rummage
Benchmark Realty LLC, Nashville TN 615.516.5233 - Nashville, TN
Love Being Realtor® in the Nashville TN Area!

Great answer. I will remember that. Not that I have gotten a call like that, but there is always a first time.

Jan 09, 2014 10:02 PM
Jaclyn Erwin
Jackson Erwin Realty, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
ABR,SFR, REALTOR®/BROKER, Charlotte NC.

Richard,

Good for you--setting the guidelines for this guy! We real estate professionals are so much more than "minimum wage," and we do have established ethics and morals that we should use in our daily practice. I think you did well. Maybe it's me, but I do not utilize my time in showing homes to anyone who does not commit. The idea of "hoping and hauling" just doesn't work for me. I think it's a great idea for real estate professionals to charge a substantial fee to someone who does not want to hire you as their exclusive Buyer's Agent.  After all, our time is very valuable. 

Jan 09, 2014 10:40 PM
Kim Boekholder Utah Real Estate/ PECO
Results Real Estate 801.580.5624 - Draper, UT
Broker Results Real Estate/Leasing Specialist PECO

Thats funny, sad but funny.  Minimum wage huh and committed to another agent already.  You gave them the best advice find out who their agents backup is and contact them.  

Jan 13, 2014 04:49 AM
Morgan Mason
The Outer Banks Real Estate Company LLC - Southern Shores, NC
Outer Banks Beach Houses for Sale

Been there, said no to that!  Thanks for sharing your story, Richard.  One great aspect of real estate sales is the surprises.  Just when I think I've heard it all, here comes another one!  You handled beautifully!  Good advice.

Jan 13, 2014 10:52 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi Richard, You are a breathe of fresh air. Many agents would just go ahead and sell them a house and then tell the other agent, you snooze, you lose.  He no longer wanted you and he called me.  You weren't satisfying his needs as a Real Estte Agent.

Jan 18, 2014 10:28 AM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Richard  Minimum wage huh!  Maybe he should just hire a taxi!

Mar 15, 2014 10:18 AM