Special offer

Sometimes I Just Don't Know What To Say!

By
Real Estate Agent with Resource One Realty, LLC

Most buyers look to me for answers to life's troubling questions like why won't the seller accept my offer.  It's almost the same look a child gives his or her parent when the child is sick.  They want you to make them feel better and take away the pain.

I have buyers who, for the last few days, have gone through four counter offers and numerous phone calls trying to negotiate a deal.  We have had verbal agreements with the seller at least twice.  Every time we go to put it on paper, the sellers balk and refuse to sign. The sellers then counter with a higher price.

It's not seller's remorse.  The property has been on the market for over a year.  They have almost moved out and have relocated 60 miles away.  The buyers have no home to sell and no financing issues.  There is also the potential for a quick close.

Needless to say, I have advised my buyers to move on and we have begun looking at other properties.  They do, however, keep going back to that property.  There's something about it that they are drawn to it.

It's hard to take the emotion out of the negotiations since my buyers feel like they are being played.  I as their agent have to fight my feelings also.  Even if the seller accepts the last counter offer, they feel they will be left with some very negative feelings about the property. 

I told them that if we can work out a deal, those feelings will subside.

Take care.

 

Veronica DeCarolis
Weidel Realtors - Flemington, NJ

Gosh that is a tough one. What are the sellers thinking? Hope you can find an even better property for your buyers. Veronica

Sep 11, 2008 02:03 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Cindy,

Are you sure it is the sellers who are creating the problems?

Ann

Sep 11, 2008 02:06 PM
Barb Van Stensel
Chicago, IL

Cindy, I always tell my buyers "If it's meant to be, it will be."  I remember a file years back where the clients wanted to spend "x" and  that was our budget.  It was in a nice neighborhood in Chicago's North Shore area.   One of the requirements was a two car garage.  the home they found was a four square with no potential for expansion with a detached one car garage whose back yard literally dropped.  This home had alot of upgrades to it but the seller was relocating and overimproved for the marketplace.  I gave my buyer's the max on the price that they could go and we walked away from it.  The wife was in tears saying "We'll never get a home, never!"  I told them, that something better will come along and I never doubt that because the house that they desire will come into being.  Well, low and behold, three days later, a foreclosure with five bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, two car garage, sweet back yard, bigger then they needed and priced way below market.  Why?  the agent didn't know the marketplace.  The foreclosure?  The actual owner had a land contract and he was a builder.  He completely gutted out the building, all new everything including the awesome cherry cabinetry.  However, the man holding the mortgage was the person who defaulted and this awesome home was listed $200K below market value.  I called the wife and told her to get over to the house like "now" and the husband was called  when we got there and told "bring your checkbook, because you are buying".    So the couple that wanted a 3 bedroom home got a five bedroom home with all  new, 3 full bathrooms.  He called me up 2 years later and said "Barbie, thank you.  We are having triplets and the other house wouldn't have worked.  Thank you for sticking with us."  They had three boys and added a little girl.  It all works out.

I am a firm believer that if it is supposed to be, it will be.  Bottom.  No shananigans included.  Walk away.  If it is to be, the seller will come to their senses.  For me, it tells me that there is something wrong and your clients would never be happy with that house.  

Best wishes

Sep 11, 2008 02:09 PM
Scott Owens
Halifax, NS

Is there a sellers agent?  What is he/she saying?

Sep 11, 2008 02:10 PM
Anthony Stokes-Pereira
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY
Realtor

Hi Cindy;

This is a tough one, making a deal in this market is very difficult. Good Luck!!

Sep 11, 2008 02:46 PM