To show or not to show?

Nathan, most folks act this way out of fear. What happens if her home doesn't sell in the next three months? Six months?? One year??? Odds are that the six month plus scenario is pretty bleak.

That being said...she has NO business talking to you directly. Tell her NOT to contact you directly again.

Hi Nathan -

I wouldn't present this information to your buyer before showing.  If they love the property and want to make and offer, I would just explain to them that you had spoken with the seller previously for another client and that negotiations may be tough (this way your aren't talking smack about your seller but you are still informing your client that this might be a bumpy ride). Who knows... maybe you just caught the seller on the day they went off their meds :)

On a side note, I can't believe the seller called you personally!  I have showed clients homes that were beyond their budget plenty of times because some homes are overpriced and can be had for less (which you don't know until you see the property for yourself!).

Hey, Nathan I would probably have handled this a little different with my buyer.  For what it's worth, here's my thoughts.

1) Prior to showing this to my buyer, I would have run the sold comps.  If everything in that neighborhood was selling for $120,000, I probably would advise him that it really didn't meet his criteria. 

2) If he still insisted to see it and then loved it, I would have told him to make an offer at his max $110,000--making it clear to the listing agent that this was going to be the one and final offer.  In all likelihood, the seller would still have been angry but for a different reason.  We can't predict what sellers will take for their home.  I always council clients to make an offer, even if it is lower than the recent comps.  Why?  Because I don't have a crystal ball.  I think it's better for my client to at least give it a shot and then move on if it doesn't pan out.

In terms of showing this property to other clients.  If this house fits their criteria, show it.  We're in this business to make money.  At the end of the day, the best way to do that is to show houses that our clients will actually want to buy.

I would have shown the property. I, too, am surprised the seller called you directly. Obviously the listing agent, if it is not a FSBO sent your feedback verbatim to the seller. Maybe the listing agent is trying to stay out of the crossfires.

I would not allow spite to be your motivating factor for showing the home to others.

Cal

I woulkd have shown the property and would not have answered the question with the buyers information the same way.

Nathan my boy....

Let's look at this through the eyes of a child........show it! What is the big deal? Everything in life is negotiable. We will not know what will happen until we get there. The affordability gap is reasonable and the interest expressed is genuine. A simple ...YES or NO..with a thanks for stopping by works every-time. Why all the drama? There is no perfect Real Estate transaction.... Seller is thinking too much outside the box and the agent should reign her back in.....

Best

I would have shown it ! It could have been overpriced !!! Why didn't you write up a $110,000 offer ??