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No I Won't Give Your Daughter a $500 Referral Fee but I won't Ask You To Wash My Car Either.

By
Real Estate Agent with Labrum Real Estate

home sweet home This week I received a phone call from a man who was parked in front of one of my REO listings in Murrieta California. When I informed the caller, lets call him John, the property was already in escrow he became a little frustrated. He asked why every home he called on was in escrow as if it was the fault of the Realtor. I explained to John that homes in Murrieta and the surrounding cities sell quickly as there are many buyers looking for homes. When asked if he was working with an agent John responded no he wasn't but why should he?. When I explained that he needed someone who would work for him to find homes that fit his needs and budget and show them to him as soon as they came on the market in Murrieta he seemed interested but stated that he didn't want to speak with a lender. When I told him that would be necessary unless he paid cash he balked at the suggestion.

 At this point John said it sounds like you know what your doing but will you give my daughter $500 for helping find a home. When I asked "why would I do that" he said she had been writing down addresses and phone numbers for him. I commented that you have not found a house yet doing it the hard way by driving around calling on signs but I will find you a home but no I won't give her a referral fee. He said other agents had agreed to pay her when he asked them on the phone.

 When I asked John if he had ever been to the Dentist he said yes. I asked him if his daughter drove him there should the Dentist give her money for doing so he responded "why should he" and at that point he understood what I was saying. I work hard for my clients but I'm not going to give away my income just like I'm going to protect their money as well.

 Poor old John wouldn't let me, or any agent, go to work for him. He is probably driving around this weekend calling on signs hoping he will get lucky and call on a sign in front of a house that is low priced and has an agent who will give his daughter a few bucks. John is not a serious buyer but maybe he'll win the housing lottery.

Comments (16)

Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

[John is not a serious buyer but maybe he'll win the housing lottery.]

OR NOT.

I don't 'get' people like that. It takes a serious set of stones to ask someone to pay you for working with them. Even when they see that they won't get anywhere otherwise.

And if he asked 'all these agents' to pay his daughter and they agreed, why didn't he take them up on it?

 

May 29, 2010 02:22 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.
Cameron...was even an agent...In my state we coulddn't give a fee if not an agent and I would not anyway
May 29, 2010 02:23 PM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

I'm always surprised when I receive a sign call from someone driving around looking for homes for sale....the Internet makes it sooo much easier, faster and saves gasoline too!

May 29, 2010 02:29 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Candice, Exactly he was not a buyer but believe it or not I have been asked by others. That statement was just a little bit of sarcasm I threw in.

May 29, 2010 02:29 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

BILL, Niether do I and even if she was an agent I'm not going to pay her for My Work.

May 29, 2010 02:30 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Norma, You said it perfectly.

May 29, 2010 02:32 PM
Shannon Lewis
Beringer Realty - Champaign, IL
Realtor, Broker - Champaign-Urbana, IL

Some people will try anything to make or save a buck, and that is NOT a fun person to work with. The fact that he wouldn't even go to the lender though...I will never understand why certain people think they're going to buy a house with a loan without ever calling a bank. People are silly.

May 29, 2010 02:32 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Shannon, Many of them are silly and many of them aren't really buyers.

May 29, 2010 02:35 PM
Sara Woolford & Steve Golson, ALHS
iTexas Realty Co. - San Antonio, TX

Hi Cameron-

Think of the hours of sanity that you will save by not working with this family.  Only so many hours in the day...

Sara

May 29, 2010 02:43 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Sara,Not the type of person I want to work with. Thanks for stopping by.

May 29, 2010 02:49 PM
Marcy Moyer
eXp Realty of California Silicon Valley Probate, Trust, and Investment Sales - Mountain View, CA
Probate, Trust, and Investment Specialist

I spoke to someone who had been trying to buy an REO by himself for 18 months.  He just did not get it that the time and energy he wasted could never get back and was way more than the amount a realtor would have made.

May 29, 2010 05:18 PM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

I think people like John truly think they will get a better deal if they buy from the listing agent because in their minds the agent will cut their commission for the seller because they are getting both ends.   And they yell that they were taken advantage of when they knowingly purchase a home without representation.  He doesn't deserve you Cam!

May 30, 2010 01:56 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Marcy, That guy was not a buyer only posing as one.

Susan, Wow you had me at "he doesn't deserve you Cam" Think I'll go blush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 30, 2010 02:11 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

What a bizaar way to find a house. I'd be a little worried about what kind of conditions he'd try to include in the contract, or if there would be any strange last-minute negotiations at closing.

May 30, 2010 02:16 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

John, Plus the fact once a buyer gets into your wallet they won't get out. Must have thought he was a kid again and was hitting Dad up.

May 30, 2010 02:18 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

I'm not sure if I should be crying on laughing on that one. Maybe a little of both.

Jun 07, 2010 07:22 AM