Today I took time from my family to meet a potential buyer. He (Mr. Buyer) has been watching the market in this particular area for the last 6 months. 
The listing agent for the property who also works for my broker, Hometown GMAC in Pleasanton is unavailable due to family circumstances. I agreed to care for her listings while she's attending to her personal matters. As a result, I am the contact person for her listing for the time being.
The potential "buyers" had already been through the home earlier this morning (the seller let them in). When I arrived at 2:00 and greeted them, Mr. Buyer was very cold and uninterested in conversation. Mrs. Buyer was warm and friendly and happy to look through the home again. After about 15 minutes, he joined her upstairs. As they came back downstairs, he let me know that indeed they wanted to make an offer on the house, HOWEVER... (why does there have to be a however)? He continued... "I will not be using a buyer's agent, I will be offering 2.5% off the price as I am not willing to pay for buyer's agency."
Taken aback just a bit, I maintained complete professionalism confirming what I'd just heard; "You want to represent yourself? What will you write the offer on" I asked. He looked at my name badge and said that "Hometown's seller has a contract, I will write the offer on that." What I wanted to say and what I actually said were two very different things. I wondered to myself if he works for free in his business, or if he enjoys a paycheck.
Why do people think they can be a professional in our business with no training whatsoever? Do I tell the builder of my house I want to sketch the architectural plans to save myself a few bucks, or do I let the architect do his own job? Do I grab a drill to work on my children's cavities, or do I take them to a trained professional?
As we politely parted ways, he let me know that he'd like some additional information about the backyard landscaping. I assured him I'd contact him as soon as I had the answer.
Later I contacted him with the answer to his landscaping question and recapped (again to make sure I understood his intentions). Yes, he confirmed that he'd be representing himself and then had the gall to ask me if I could provide him with a contract!!
Have a good day. I'd love some feedback!!
Comments(1)