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3 Types of Real Estate Clients to Say Goodbye to

By
Real Estate Technology with Zurple

bad-real-estate-clients.jpg

 Finding real estate leads can be a challenge in such a competitive industry. What a lot of agents don’t realize is that you don’t have to work with every client that approaches you. Although leads may be hard to come by, if you know that you are going to have a difficult experience with a client, be honest with yourself and don’t force a relationship. A good rule of thumb when you are selecting your clients is to ask yourself, “can I find this person their dream home, and impress them with my customer service?” With every client, you should be aiming to go above and beyond so they are dying to refer you to everyone they know.

 

Be mindful of these 3 types of real estate clients:

 

Mr. Indecisive

When searching for a home, it is very important that your clients have some sort of wish list so they can help to lead you in the right direction. There are some clients who know they want a house, but they have no idea what they are looking for. This can be hard for you as an agent, and can cause some friction within the relationship you and your client have. Consider whether you are going to make them happy long-term. Is there a possibility for a bad reputation to form because you can’t find your client what they are looking for? If there is any chance your business could suffer, then say goodbye.  

 

The know it all

Have you ever worked with a client that has no experience in real estate and yet they think they know more than you? It is important that you respect your clients and that they respect you as their agent. Having a client like this can make your job very difficult. Do you think you can successfully assist a client who is constantly telling you what to do? If there isn’t going to be mutual respect between you and your client, then it may be best to part ways.  

 

Negative Nancy

Buying a home is an overwhelming process for many. Your job as a real estate agent is to help make the difficult process a little bit less painful for all parties involved. The question is this - are you able to do that if you have a negative mindset? Often times people find themselves becoming negative if they are around others that are negative.  As soon as you realize your attitude is changing for the worse, or if have concerns you will become negative - it’s time to say goodbye.

 

In a business that is largely based on referrals, it is important that you are able to provide the best service possible to each of your clients. If you know your personality cannot handle one of these types of people, then it is time to say goodbye.

 


 

Are you struggling to find real estate seller leads? 

 

Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I so agree with you. However, one of my favorite clients was someone who never did buy a house. I showed him homes when he was engaged, when he was first married, after the birth of their first child, and after the birth of their second child. He is an engineer and he had a "want" list that was so long that no house could measure up. Of course, he did occasionally wish that he had chosen some house he'd seen months earlier. As years went by and prices increased, he became even more distressed. 

I enjoyed their company, but... there was no financial reward. 

Sep 27, 2016 02:05 PM
Zurple Marketing Team

Thanks for sharing Marte! I actually just purchased my first home (still in escrow), so I know exactly how your client felt. I was constantly having to remind myself that I wasn't going to get everything on my wish list with my first home. 

Sep 28, 2016 12:03 AM
Rebecca "Becky" Joens
Heart of Florida Realty, LLC - Hernando Beach, FL
Broker- Associate, SFR, RE Instructor

Good post.. I have worked with all three types of clients.  Sometimes it is best for everyone to say goodbye and move forward but I do have one client that has looked for the "perfect" property for over 3 years - one day the right property will be there!

Sep 27, 2016 07:15 PM
Zurple Marketing Team

I agree, Rebecca! Thanks for reading my blog! 

Sep 28, 2016 12:03 AM
Peter Mohylsky, Destin BeachPro
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Nice comments, there are all types of clients out there to keep an eye on.

Sep 27, 2016 08:46 PM
Zurple Marketing Team

Thanks for reading, Peter! 

Sep 28, 2016 12:03 AM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Phone Direct 240-506-2434 | 301-681-0550 office - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

I once had a buyer client who shared after we had already looked at many, many homes, that his sister told him he had to look at 100 homes before making a decision.  I was thankful that it did not take 100 before he actually was willing to make an offer and make a purchase.

Sep 28, 2016 12:52 AM
Zurple Marketing Team

Wow, 100 homes?! Thanks for sharing, Barbara Michaluk !

Oct 03, 2016 07:20 AM
Michelle E Davis
DreamTeam Realty, Inc. - Cleveland, OH
Converting Transactions into Relationships!

Great post! I recently fired a seller client that was a "know it all" and thought that they knew more than me about selling homes because they sold several homes back in the early 1980's! Lol! Some people are their own worse enemy and just can't be helped.

Sep 28, 2016 04:41 AM
Zurple Marketing Team

Very true, Michelle E Davis ! Thanks for sharing! 

Oct 03, 2016 07:20 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Oh yes, the 'know it all' client.  The really tough situation is when your buyer drags the same friend/relative along to each showing and it's the friend who is the 'know it all' ...with comments like "oh that roof looks really bad" or "the seller has to fix this sink' or 'all these windows need replacing'.  Most often these folks are very negative.

Sep 28, 2016 04:57 AM
Zurple Marketing Team

Definitely a hard situation... sometimes it really is better for both parties if you just say goodbye! 

Oct 03, 2016 07:21 AM
Theresa Akin
CORPUS CHRISTI REALTY GROUP - Corpus Christi, TX

I have worked with all 3 a couple times. AFter viewing a few homes with each, we parted ways. One is still looking and calls occasionally for the past 8 years.

Sep 28, 2016 09:33 AM
Zurple Marketing Team

Wow! Well, it seems like you knew how to deal with them the right way if they are still calling after 8 years! Thanks for reading my blog, Theresa Akin !

Oct 03, 2016 07:22 AM
Donna & Larry Johnson
Keller Williams Real Estate - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County

We have all worked with many different clients. Eventually we all figure who we want to work with and who we don't!

Oct 03, 2016 02:32 AM
Zurple Marketing Team

Very true, Donna & Larry Johnson ! Thanks for reading my blog!

Oct 03, 2016 07:23 AM