Special offer

It ALWAYS works out for your Highest Good IF YOU LET IT

By
Commercial Real Estate Agent with Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker AZ BR 528507000

On my birthday, December 31, 2020, I made a decision.

The decision I make each year on its last day.

If there is a problematic client, I'm NOT going into the new year with them. Bless and release.

This particular seller had a problem with dual agency from the get. I told her we can refuse to do it, but since I'm arguably the most knowledgeable person about this estate property, it's natural that I will draw buyers with the extensive marketing I do for Mohave County AZ commercial properties.

They acquiesced, with reluctance. 

This client, personally I liked and got along with. But a habit of 'stepping over dollars to get to pennies' and assigning 'property management duties' I am NOT contracted to perform, over time exhausted me.

A voicemail screaming tirade over something I had nothing to do with, just to vent was the tipping point.

Yelling is my deal breaker. So bye.

A month later, a new broker was hired.

A month after that, one of my best clients wanted to buy the property.

I could not be gladder that this all happened in the sequence it did. 

One could say 'dammit, that's 15k you didn't pocket by double-dipping it' and yeah, that's true. And I have done many, many successful transactions with both parties, lawfully in Arizona.

 

Sometimes, though, the grief factor zeroes out the dollars and could go into a negative net in terms of sanity.

My client knows I have all the info about the property.

I do not have a suspicious seller making mountains of molehills and missing the big pic.

The new broker is kind, competent and helpful. Let her handle that end! 

 

And the seller knows if anyone can close this - I CAN.

 

So if you need to make a change to retain your joy and protect your energy . . . even if it seems you lose business because of your choice . . . DO IT.

 

It will work out FINE in the end! 

Comments(18)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Candace,

It is how we live, and we are getting so good at it, that we notice the clues way before any encounter happens!  We like living this way.  A

May 07, 2021 06:43 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Yeap  . . . this one and I 'got along' and so I gave a pass . . . plus she was referred by a broker I really like. I did my best and I TOLD HER I would sell this property. LOL 

May 07, 2021 01:18 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Candice - gotta love those who seem to step over the dollars while they search for pennies.  Yeah, they may prompt a warm and fuzzy feeling  but they don't necessarily deserve to be represented by those they annoy.   Ah, parting is sometimes so sweet.  And not so sorrowful either.  

May 07, 2021 06:59 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

"May the bridges I burn light the way"


I'm glad it worked out for everyone!

May 07, 2021 01:18 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Over the years I have fired many a client. I have had similar situations arise and have (like you) always been happy it worked out as it did.

May 07, 2021 09:52 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

My late husband used to say "Some day you're gonna run out of people to fire" I told him "HASN'T HAPPENED YET"
Still hasn't happened. LOL


 

May 07, 2021 01:19 PM
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

Like they say, "Some Will, Some Won't, So What, Someone's Waiting"

May 07, 2021 12:51 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

Yup. Like men and buses . . . a new one every 15 min. LOL

May 07, 2021 01:19 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good afternoon Candice. As the gambler said “know when to hold them and when to fold them”. You got to do what you got to do. Good choice! Enjoy your day 

May 07, 2021 01:12 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

You too Counselor. I'm patient but there are times fresh blood is the only solution. 

May 07, 2021 01:20 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Candice- I could not agree more!  There's something to be said for maintaining your sanity! Besides, if you don't "let it go" then you could be adding to the burn out that some people suffer. I had a similar client who really was a nice person and treated me nicely. However, she had so many ups and downs I needed Dramamine. Saying "bye" to her was like spending two months at a wellness retreat. 

May 07, 2021 07:42 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

Yes maam! The dramallamas throw off my chi! (I also have some ♎ in my chart!) xoxoxox

May 08, 2021 05:48 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love it!  I am on the verge of firing a client and they have to decide today to cancel the current contract or continue.  If they cancel, I am firing them shortly thereafter.  They want to purchase other homes, but even if they close on this current one, I am not going to be assisting them in the future.  I don't care about the money, my peace of mind is much more important than money.

May 08, 2021 07:25 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

AND it steals your life force which your GOOD clients deserve from you!
take no prisoners 🧠 !

May 08, 2021 09:13 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

We all make the decision of sanity over dollars and yet the dollars still flow and we retain our sanity

May 13, 2021 04:26 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Interesting how that works, isn't it!

May 26, 2021 07:20 AM
Jim Harper
Atlanta Communities Real Estate - Marietta, GA

Yeah, No ... to yelling that is. And drama, and penny wise, pound foolish. Life is too short. Thanks for the reminder!

May 13, 2021 05:48 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Yeah yelling is no bueno and grounds for death by ongo-bongo!

May 26, 2021 07:20 AM
Anne Corbin
Long and Foster - Lake Anna - Spotsylvania, VA
Serving Lake Anna & Central Virginia

I had one of those sellers last year. She was strong minded at the onset and I should have listened to my gut, but the house was a well priced one. The seller had to set her price, and I told her we'd try, not knowing how COVID would affect pricing. After no interest in the property, I recommended a price reduction of $75,000. Comps weren't in her favor as her price was too high. She, of course, declined. When I finally got a showing request, she wouldn't answer my calls, texts or emails. Also, my sign kept mysteriously falling to the ground and she said the wind was really bad on her hill.

We finally got another showing request and she wouldn't respond to me again in time to approve the request. I finally reached her by e-mail and she said "I changed my phone number a few months ago". Don't you think you should notify your realtor of this? The second showing didn't happen because I couldn't reach her. I told her that I couldn't sell the house if she wasn't going to allow showings. She was argumentative with me so I just decided to wash my hands of her and her house. She has not relisted it, to my knowledge.

May 13, 2021 08:38 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

UGH! I had one WAYYYY back, the daughter was my POC. The dad signed everything. I got a buyer, called him, he kept hanging up on me! Would not talk to me. 
At my then-broker's behest, I sent him a Certified letter stating that since I had a full price offer for the property he was per our agreement to pay my commission. Next stop legal action.
I got a frantic call from the OTHER daughter and learned that the daughter obtained his signatures under duress wanting him to sell so she could get money from it. She was very terrified that we would sue her dad. And we could have! But we simply cancelled it . . . they will never pull that again I reckon!

May 26, 2021 07:23 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

The grief factor can be costly if we let it continue. Good for you for deciding to take the healthy route!

May 21, 2021 07:03 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

I JEALOUSLY guard my serenity and friend or foe alike are barred from draining me. 

May 26, 2021 07:24 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Good mental health means knowing when to let go, especially when others are clearly vying for power or plan on taking the abuse route. A quick release technique in writing works for me when that happens!

May 23, 2021 04:04 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

I have those techniques which usually involve a fire pit and full moon! Did one last night! 

May 26, 2021 07:25 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I fired a lot of clients over the years Candice A. Donofrio and it certainly helped my sanity. As you know I divorced RE a couple of years ago and now I'm feeling a whole lot more sane.

May 23, 2021 06:55 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

I can imagine!

May 26, 2021 07:25 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Candice A. Donofrio - I find you to be a good role model in this business. Your confidence, expertise, and the power to know when to stand your ground without becoming confrontational is very admirable. Through your life experiences and willingness to share, you show your strength. I'm glad the new broker showed up in time and everything turned out well. I liked the Title you chose too!

May 23, 2021 09:19 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

Thank you maam, back at ya! 

May 26, 2021 07:26 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Powerful advice indeed.  So smart to let go of that negative energy going into a new year.  And of course your birthday is New Year's Eve!  You go girl!

May 25, 2021 03:46 PM
Candice A. Donofrio

Haha yeah favorite food champagne!

May 26, 2021 07:26 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Who needs whackadoodles in this business anyway?! Like you, Candice, anyone who yells is GONE! I am a no-drama, treat-others-with-respect and when those are not returned to me, I'll happily take the financial hit.

 

I would also have relished in the fact that I'm not the agent handling the tirades from your former seller. 

 

Bliss - you really can't put a price tag on it, can you?!!

Jun 06, 2021 08:18 AM
Candice A. Donofrio

Priceless! 💯

Jun 06, 2021 08:43 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Candice A. Donofrio - Good for you! If I see the signs, I release them.  I don't do this to work with difficult clients.  I want to help people and if they do not appreciate it... as you stated "bye-bye!

Jun 18, 2021 02:46 PM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

I believe the ability to say NO comes with time and experience and we all look back and wish we had learned earlier.  I know I do, but grateful for having eventually learned.  Kudos.  Mark

Jul 09, 2021 06:01 PM