We all would like to be in control of our clients, right? Wrong. Over the course of my online musings I've seen many a time where the agent is saying they "tell" the other agent what they would do in a situation such as putting in an offer, accepting an offer and so forth. They blatantly say they tell the other agent this, that and the other.
What happened to the seller or buyer and their option to make the decision?
We ‘guide' and ‘advise' our clients while negotiating a contract. The seller's agent lets the seller know what they are facing while negotiating a contract. Their options are:
- Counter an offer with terms (Price? Closing date? Inclusions?)
- Accept the offer (A very clean offer that needs no adjustments....the sellers love these!)
- Reject the offer (Low Ball offer, contingency to sell other property or what have you)
- Ignore the offer (Too insulting to even respond to)
Anyone that tells me that the seller ‘should' counter no matter if it's a low ball or whatever their reasoning is.... is telling me that they do not advise their client of their options and a course of action...and the option of making the decision themselves.
The buyer's agent lets the buyer know what they are facing while negotiating a contract:
- Comparables in the neighborhood, complex etc.
- Consequences for low balling....like....losing the home they really love
- Staying within their means and not offering higher than what they are preapproved for.
- And of course other known factors such as the maintenance fees, special assessments and so forth.
Any agent that tells their client to low ball so they can test if the seller will accept it should be ________ (you fill in the blanks). If the buyer really loves the place and doesn't want to lose it ...there won't be room for bargaining.
We are working for the best interests of our clients.
......But remember, the client is ultimately the decision maker!
.......And we are just the messengers.
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