I recently had a situation where I ran into several of those choices to make.
I received a call to list a 1 bd/1 1/2 bath home (condo) . Choice ~ Do I even want to bother? (to this choice, I say YES, it's part of my job) These homes do not sell fast, and with the recent drop in Real Estate, their value is dropping too. So, I pull the address and started my CMA and researched the home. Oh boy... problems right from the start. I noticed that most of these homes are selling for 40k less than what they paid for it. Yikes. Choice ~ Do I even want to continue? (to this choice, I say YES, I want to see this home and meet these folks. It's part of my job)
I did notice that throughout the history of the home that they had dropped the price consistantly. It had last been listed 25k lower than they paid. Now, unfortunately, I had to inform them prices were still dropping. Choice ~ Do I just phone him and tell him, or do I meet with him? (to this choice, I say YES for the same reason as above)
I met with him at the home, his wife couldn't make it. Choice ~ Without both decision makers, do I continue? (to this choice, I say YES, nothing ventured, nothing gained) Seems, they bought a larger home, and this one was currently vacant. It turned out to be a lovely little home, well kept and upgraded with a nice golf course view. I told him so, and also informed him that even so, if we overpriced it, it wouldn't get shown. Choice ~ Do I even want this listing? (to this choice, if the price is right, YES!). I recommended a price, and I could see the wheels turning and he asked if I could guarantee a sale before December. Choice ~ Do I lie and say yes? (to this choice, absolutely NO! I NEVER, ever lie to get a listing)
I told him that unfortunately I couldn't give him any kind of guarantees one way or the other. Especially in this market. Choice ~ Do I then make promises I know I can't keep? (to this choice, I never make promises I can't keep) I then told him that if they really didn't have to sell at this time, it might be a good idea to get it rented and just hang on to it for a couple years.
He told me he appreciated my honesty, and that he would go home and talk to his wife. He really wants to sell, but he wasn't sure he could convince her they could afford to lose 40,000 of their hard earned money.
I doubt that I will get his listing, but I walked away from there with my "Integrity and Honesty" and my reputation intact. I feel good.
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