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She Went to a Wedding...and Lost a Buyer Client

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 0225085927

Another agent and I had a discussion recently - okay, yes, you can call it a pity party - about stress and the concept of "making time for ourselves" - which is often, particularly at this time of year, much easier said than done.

She told me she recently had picked up a new Buyer, had met with her for a consultation and even showed her several properties.  The Buyer was not going to be ready to move until at least November.

Ironically, the agent had been debating with herself whether to take a weekend off to attend a friend's wedding because, well, we're wired to always be there for our clients and maybe she shouldn't go. She finally decided she deserved a break and by golly, she was going!

She let the client know she would not be available for the upcoming weekend, as she was going out of town to a wedding and while she would be checking her email and phone messages on occasion, she would not be readily available over the weekend.  The client said that was fine.

Well, this client apparently emailed and attempted to call her over the weekend, despite her telling her she was not available  - she had seen a listing that not only did not even meet her stated requirements, but was way out of her price range. Never mind she wasn't even going to be ready to seriously look until the fall. 

But despite all that, she just had to see it right away.

When she got back in town, the agent called the buyer - who told her she had found another agent who was "more attuned to her needs."  The agent was floored - and for a few moments, she felt as if she had made a mistake taking the weekend off.

So, we commisserated for a few minutes about the unfairness of it all and how we really have no time we can ever call our own, then we both laughed and I said, "Wow, you dodged a bullet!"

While no one likes to lose business and it stings when someone says they prefer someone else, sometimes you are better off saying, "next" and moving on with no regrets.

 

 

 

Comments (17)

Kathy Denworth
BHHS Keys Real Estate - Islamorada, FL
Realtor in the Florida Keys, Islamorada, Key Largo

The fact that the property was out of their price range is definitely an indication that this buyer was not an ideal client. This is a buyers market, nothing is moving THAT fast.

May 18, 2011 02:15 PM
Allen 2222
Austin, TX

That may have ended up being a buyer that wanted to see a LOT of properties she couldn't afford - so probably good that she moved on.

May 18, 2011 02:17 PM
Mike McCann Nebraska Land Broker
Mike McCann - Broker, Mach1 Realty Farm & Commercial Land Broker-Auctioneer Serving Nebraska - Kearney, NE
Farm & Commercial Property For Sale 308-627-3700

Susan...Let her know she absolutely did the right thing for me. I respect her so much more than i would if she had not gone to the wedding and then felt bad.

I do not miss family functions and special family and friend occasions for any client...period. Not sure how much that has cost me over the years in the checking account nor do I care because the savings in the love account and family and friend accounts are HUGE!

I recommend you NEVER EVER miss a one time event or family function for a two timing client.

And if they are not a two timing client...they will still be there when you get back.

May 18, 2011 02:22 PM
Diana Manzato
Highland Village, TX

Yep, this has happened to me too....had a buyer that only hade a 2 hour window of opportunity during an opening game for my son's baseball game.  I chose to go to the game, thinking that I'm sure we could rearrange any other time.  Well, it made her mad and she walked....

I just figured, probably good ridance.

May 18, 2011 02:23 PM
Tamara Schuster
Naperville Glen Ellyn Lisle Plainfield Wheaton Illinois - Naperville, IL
Realtor Broker - Naperville

We all have stories and try and do our best. When I am unavailable I have someone cover for me and make sure both parties know they have someone they can count on. 

May 18, 2011 02:32 PM
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh
Century 21 New Millennium - Upper Marlboro, MD
A doctor who makes house calls.

I'm glad she didn't skip the wedding.  Somethings are just way more important than business.  This person sounds like they would have been quite demanding.

May 18, 2011 02:52 PM
Ken Barker Realtor® GRI, E-Pro Certified
Dilbeck Real Estate - Burbank, CA

Susan - All I can comment on is we have to have Boundaries. We have them and we have a life too. If they can't abide for our free time occasionally then move on to the next.At least there was a lot of notice.

May 18, 2011 03:07 PM
Christine Hooks
Pino Agency - Pennsville, NJ
Celebrating 25 Years in Real Estate!

I am in the middle of a similar situation and have a different take.  Unrealistic buyers are one thing, but to go away without providing coverage may not be in anyone's best interest.  In looking back over my situation, I wish I had made arrangements for another agent in my office to be 'on call' for my buyer.  It would have been so easy to set up. 

May 18, 2011 03:27 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Kathy:  I suspect you are probably right.

Alison:  Sometimes it's just not the right fit!

Mike:  Pretty much my attitude, too.  There is plenty of other business out there.

Diana:  You made the right choice!

Tamara:  I try to find someone to cover for me whenever possible, too.

Stacey-Ann:  I think you are right!

Ken:  Exactly.

Chris: I think in this case because she told the client she would be gone and the client seemed fine with it, she didn't think it would be an issue.  And, oops, it turned out it was.

May 18, 2011 04:24 PM
Kirsten Lindquist
Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA
Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

Susan:  Your friend made the right choice.  No doubt.

May 18, 2011 04:40 PM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

Well two words.... rep agreement...

However like others have said...this lady was not going to purchase anything anyway...not ready until November! Pleeze...she is going to find her dream home and then what? Oh Seller can you please wait for my offer coming in November?  NEXT IS RIGHT!

May 18, 2011 05:31 PM
Kim Boekholder Utah Real Estate/ PECO
Results Real Estate 801.580.5624 - Draper, UT
Broker Results Real Estate/Leasing Specialist PECO

Your friend made the right choice, there is no pleasing some people.  They would never do that to their dr. or lawyer? people just assume we are at their beck and call and how dare we take time off.  I bet we all struggle with this all the time.  its the little voice of guilt we all have.  She is better off I'm sure .. great job

May 19, 2011 06:39 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Susan - NEXT!  This will definitely be a high maintenance client who in the end probably won't be loyal to anyone they work with.  

May 19, 2011 06:54 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Gosh, losing an unreasonable buyer with the see-it-now-even-though-it-doesn't-work-for-me disease.  I'd be throwing myself a party...not  a pity party.

May 19, 2011 10:34 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Oh, she is well rid of that client.  Wow.

May 19, 2011 05:05 PM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Kirsten:  That's what I told her!  LOL

Sussie:  I think the relationship was already doomed

Kim:  You are so right!

Michelle:  That's exactly what I said

Chris Ann:  Me, too!  LOL  Ironically, she seems to attract some divas, while I don't - I think I'm too mean. LOL

Jane:  I totally agree!

May 20, 2011 01:03 AM
Ellie Shorb
Compass Real Estate - Chevy Chase, MD
Realtor DC, MD & VA Luxury Home Expert

Too true- you counseled her very well... when the buyers tell us one thing and then turn around and do something else, it does not work out well for anyone. Life is too short. She respected herself, her time and her family and communicated clearly her availability ahead of time. Now time to move forward!

May 20, 2011 01:48 AM