You Have A Buyer For Our Home Then Why Not Bring An Offer?

" I have a buyer for your home."  This lie cannot make it through the required explanation of agency relationships without the agent revealing himself/herself as the fraudster that they are.  Of course, the lie could get covered up by skipping the required explanation.

Hi Michael, there are people who will try anything. It is these sort of tricks that give us a bad reputation.

Have a great day.

Michael, I know that you would never do that.  But, agents will say anything sometimes to get a listing.  Have a great holiday weekend!

Michael,

I do not like that technique at all.  It is used to get listings.  Since, we often sold commercial properties in neighborhoods where our list of developers wanted to buy, we sent out letters, and canvassed.  Our standard line was,, "I have a buyer for your property (and we had checked out the property with the prelim from the title company), and they can close in 30 days all cash.  If they said, bring the offer, we had one within a couple of minutes, via FAX.  

We were transparent, and our reputation grew...We were surprised when ARCO called in response to our letter, because the big firms did not often respond. We closed as promised in 30 days, all cash, after negotiations which took 15 days.  

Marketing has to be honest, transparent and authentic, if it isn't your reputation is over.  Longevity in the real estate business is the key to success.  Happy Sunday, A

I would be insulted if someone tried that on me, Michael.  I am glad your clients knew better!

Michael - I agree!!! If an agent approaches a seller and says they have a buyer, then write up the offer.  No need for a listing agreement.  The agents' buyer may not like the home once they see it, at which time they can with-draw their offer, but be honest about the situation.  You either have a real buyer, or you don't.  It's this type of bait and switch that gives the real estate industry and all that work in it a bad reputation!!!  Great post!

Michael- it sounds very unethical to me.  

I love the comment "When you want an honest approach to Real Estate call me". You go, dude!

technically it is not bait and switch but to me it is a Code of Etghics violation because it is false advertising. It is like the agents who say they will buy your home if it doesn't sell, the terms are so heinouse no one in their right mind would buy it.

Michael.  I tried to order some postcards for my farm area the other day and the company I tried to order from had "I have a buyer" on almost all of the cards.  i asked them if they could remove that sentence and they said no so I said no as well.  It's the newest gimmick I'm afraid.

Michael, this bait and switch happens in every market, not right but agents to use it, just lying.

Hi Michael, 

I just started sending out these letters to sellers in select areas because I do have buyers that want those specific areas and we have low inventory.  

I know other folks use this as a technique so I put in my letter that it is not a technique or gimmick... I wonder if they believe me?  Probably not.  LOL.  But it's the truth!  If they call I will bring them an offer!

The world would be a better place if more people started telling the truth.  We would be able to save so much time and energy and be able to work on real problems instead of invented ones.

Tni

Being honest will get you further in the long run when dealing with perspective clients.

Michael, this tactic was the WORST I learned in real estate school on how to garner listings.  So deceptive, I never did it.