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How many chefs in the kitchen can you stand?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. 13013

Have you ever started a project with one person and did a lot of legwork up front, then a second 'principal' shows up and you make some modifications in your search, and adapt and continue with the second set of adjustments, etc.

Then you find out that a 'higher power' than the first two makes the bottom line decisions and that the entire parameters must be changed again??

So how can you start something when you really don't know who is ultimately calling the shots?

This is especially tiresome when you are working with friends!

Economic and marketing issues change with the actual bottom line -- which can change in some fluid situations -- but are toyed with by principals who do not see eye to eye.

It is very difficult, and sometimes awkward, to present a contract up front in some cases with discriminating legalese when you assume that a professional discourse is being followed from the beginning...

This goes back to some previously discussed topics but it can creep up on you without realizing what is really going on.

There appears to be a battle of the wills in nearly every transaction having to do with real estate!

As time goes on, money gets tighter it seems and if favorable conditions are not anticipated then the whole ball of wax has to be refigured.

And on top of this are the PERSONALITIES!!

So, what to do in the future?  How do you know that what starts out as a mono y mono dialogue turns into a design by committee?? ha

Comments(24)

Bruce Kunz
C21 Solid Gold Realty, Brick, NJ, 732-920-2100 - Howell, NJ
REALTOR®, Brick & Howell NJ Homes for Sale

Hi John Henry.  Having more than one boss is always a problem whether it's real estate or any other job. Fortunately, I've not experienced this too many times - just lucky I suppose!

I hope your situation sorts itself out quickly and I Good Luck going forward.
Bruce.

 

Aug 21, 2018 06:33 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Bruce, you end up spending too much time and not budgeting the project correctly in most of these cases.  Foreign buyers especially difficult to figure. 

Aug 22, 2018 03:45 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening John Henry,

Ahhhhhh..too many bosses and all want a voice...I love the cartoon so real for certain transactions. I know you will sort it all out..always the facilitator!! Congratulations on a well deserved featured post!

Aug 21, 2018 06:43 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Hi Dorie, glad this struck a note.  Always good to hear from you.

Aug 22, 2018 03:46 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Very tough situation. You found the perfect cartoon to illustrate it, but that's little consolation, I know.

Aug 21, 2018 09:05 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks Lottie, so can you tell I am in the middle of this situation? Ha.  Yes!  But it will end well.

Aug 22, 2018 03:47 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Love the cartoons, John. Yep came up against this often in the corporate world, and every now and then there is a complex buyer or seller situation.

Jeff

Aug 21, 2018 09:35 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Hey Jeff, I am the guy in the bottom cartoon!  Thanks for dropping by.

Aug 22, 2018 03:47 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I got into this a few times as a copywriter. Now I don't work with committees.

I AM in a somewhat similar situation with a "go between" person and a boss who can't quite make up her mind. The go-between and I get a bit frustrated.

I also sometimes get "caught" by a person who decides to get opinions from the broker, co-workers, a spouse, friends, etc. Thankfully, most of my clients know their own minds.

Aug 21, 2018 09:48 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Pretty frustrating isn't it.  I had two of these in a row.  The previous blog dealing with this was 


Avoiding the run-around...Battle of the Wills: WHO is the Decision Maker??


The problem is that if you knew in advance WHO was going to comment on your work or come out at the last minute and make a pronouncement, then you could plan better for the project.

Aug 22, 2018 03:50 AM
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

With couples it's easy to figure out which one has the stronger opinion. With other groups, it can be tough. Some of the worst are first time buyers with moms, dads, the other mom & dad, uncles, bosses and many other "helpers" who all know more than we do.  

Aug 21, 2018 10:39 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Dan, I don't know how many times a 'second opinion' was cast by family members or other friends.  Of course, writing up a proposal to exclude these folks at the beginning can be a touchy situation.


Thanks for your thoughts.

Aug 22, 2018 03:52 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning John.

I know who pulls the strings at our company.  I was told by the founder to contact XXXX, whatever decision they made would rule the day.  Now, I know who to go to, of course I go straight to the source.

Aug 22, 2018 12:51 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Hello James, you are a lucky man to be informed WHO is going to let the dogs out.

Aug 22, 2018 03:52 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

This is why I'm much happier as an independent contractor than I was at a corporation. 

Aug 22, 2018 03:00 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Yes, corporations have committees.  Why can't they make reasonable and timely commitments??

Aug 22, 2018 03:53 AM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, John Henry love your cartoon and graphic....  I can't remember ever experiencing that type of situation.... if anything, I was the cause of that stress for others...

Aug 22, 2018 03:22 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Barbara, you are such an instigator! I think a real estate agent SHOULD have a say in the general planning of a house.  And it should be with the homebuyer/builder to check the overall program before that person gets to an architect (in my case). Thanks for weighing in.

Aug 22, 2018 03:55 AM
Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp
SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties - Bourbonnais, IL
The Home Inspector With a Heart!

I have been in this situation and it was a long time agao, and learned a hard lesson. Learned that sometimes it's best to walk away from the deal until the client really knows what they are asking for and can make decisions that have a good chance of sticking. I actually cancelled a deal and believe it or not, the person I cancelled it with, who was supposed to be in charge, didn't bother to tell the other parties and they called me later and said, "where are you?"

Aug 22, 2018 05:38 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Scott, that story rings true for many of us.  Canceling a deal is easiest when you are really busy.  Difficult to read many of these situations.  Thanks for posting.

Aug 24, 2018 03:08 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Where we fit in is our focus among all the distractions to counter-it. Steady as she goes as an outcome is trying to find you while you are looking for it. Faith!

Aug 22, 2018 06:47 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

Thanks for your comment Richie.

Aug 24, 2018 03:08 AM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

And THEN, they invite their PARENTS to look at it.....

Aug 23, 2018 05:05 AM
John Henry, Florida Architect

...of course!!

Aug 24, 2018 03:09 AM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

This applies to any situation where there are too many voices clamoring for different things.  Never works or provides a cohesive environment.  

Aug 23, 2018 12:20 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

I think foreign buyers are also inscrutable...

Aug 24, 2018 03:09 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi John- as my grandmother always said...too many cooks can spoil the pot. As Ron and Alexandra Seigel have said, I too have learned to back away from situations like what you described above. It's not always easy but do try when I can. 

Aug 23, 2018 04:43 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect

It's hard to see them coming when they don't all show up at the beginning!  Thanks for your thoughts Kathy.

Aug 24, 2018 03:10 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Hi John: I have had this kind of thing happen but it usually rears it's ugly head when I have buyers who decide to get their "friends" opinion on what they are about to sign a contract on! Now, I don't know about you, but if I have a good friend, that is the LAST person I would ask their opinion on when buying a new home!! I find that friend situation is as bad as asking your parents for their opinion on a new house you are about to close on!!! Call it jealousy, "parental" control or just plain "smart A--s" input-- these situations never turn out well and usually mean the deal falls apart! Great topic you picked here, John! Congratulations on the well deserved feature too!

Aug 24, 2018 05:04 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Hello Paula, I can just imagine how this can ruin a perfectly good day for you.  A buyer has pretty much made up his mind -- you think -- and now he goes for a second opinion.  I can see doing this in the medical field as it could be life or death.  But in the matter of art and building, I think it is a personal choice.  There are people who cannot trust their own instincts or abilities to analyze a situation and are constantly looking for verification from others.  If you are the only person showing the house then you do control who comes in.  I just don't know how to prevent this from happening in my line of work.  People can show drawings to anyone they like.  Ha.  Thanks for your insight Paula!

Aug 25, 2018 04:41 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

When I met with a client intitally, I ask for all of the decision makers to be there.  This includes the parents or contractor friend of the family.  I want everyone to be aware of the process and the timeline. If the parents want a say because they are gifting the down payment, they need to come with us to every showing.  If they only show up to the favorite one, they are quite possibly going to shoot holes all over the house...not knowing that the others that the buyers have seen were not like this one!  It is unfair to the buyers and then they will lose the house that they want. It goes much smoother when all parties are involved from the start.

Aug 26, 2018 05:55 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

Yes Karen, there are two principal parties in a real estate transaction and you are correct about getting everyone on the table that will take part in the decision making and financing.

Aug 26, 2018 06:30 PM
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes

John, I really enjoyed reading this and can certainly relate to similar situations in the past. Congratulations on your feature.  

Aug 28, 2018 03:35 AM