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How to Lose a Buyer

By
Real Estate Agent

The phone rings, hello this is Rick with XYZ Realty how can I help you today? I saw a home that is a 3 bedroom 2 bath home for $125,000 in Tracy, CA. I really want to see this home today if possible? I would be more than happy to help you, the agent responds.

Day 2, Ring, ring. This is Rick how can I help you? This is John you showed me a home yesterday. I found another home that is a 4 bedroom 2 bath home in Tracy, CA for $175,000 can I see that home in 1 hour? Oh, ok let me check my schedule, the agent replies. I really want to see it today. Okay, I will make some changes to my schedule to show it to you right now.

Day 3, Ring, ring. Hey John how are you? Great, so I came across another home and I want to see it ASAP. Well, I would love too but today I am fully booked. Can we see it tomorrow? Well, maybe  we just don’t want to miss out they reply. Okay, I will call you tomorrow to setup a time to see it.

Day 4. The agent called the buyer. They leave a message. Hey John its Rick I can show you that home today here is my cell. Talk to you soon.

Day 5. Hey John just checking in with you. Please call me when you can.

Day 30. Email to John. Hey John I haven’t heard from you in a while are you still looking for a home?

Day 60. Reply from John. Hey Rick sorry man we are just closing escrow on a home. The day you were not able to show me a home we called someone else and they helped us out. Thank you!

This was an example of what many agents probably have gone through. You spend hours, money and resources to help a client only to make one small error and lose them to another agent. The moral of the story is sometimes you might find out your buyer is using another agent. Remember it is not personal it’s business, unless its family then it’s personal J

Buyers are time sensitive and if they don’t get a response from their current agent they will find another that will. So hopefully you are helping your seller or buyer and not leaving it to chance. Remember there are many real estate agents out there eager to help and the ones that give the best customer service will retain their business and get referrals.

So what can you do if you come to the place where you just cannot show them a home because you are booked? I recommend calling another agent you can trust and see if they are open to show the client a home. If they do and the buyer buys the home offer a referral fee. It is better to get some commission then no split at all.

Another point is to build a good relationship with your client. If they know you are the best and taking care of them they will more than likely stick it out and wait for you. 

Alex Zachariou 

www.sunpacifichomes.com

Show All Comments Sort:
Tom Jarzynka
Axia Home Loans & Real Estate Investment Firm - Seattle, WA

That's a tough one.

Apr 02, 2012 05:31 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Alex

Exactly what buyer broker agreements are for. I used to not use them but after this happening to me several times, I do so especially when my gut reminds me of the past. cheers cvc

Apr 02, 2012 05:33 AM
Suzanne Strickler
Realty Mark Associates - Havertown, PA
School is never out for the Successful.

Alex - Boy, did that mistake feel awful. I've been the agent lamenting too.

Apr 02, 2012 05:56 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Alex:  Some days it's just a roll of the dice.  All you can do is try and get a feel for those buyers... and try a guess what your best move should be.  Sometimes you guess just right... other times, not so much.

Apr 02, 2012 06:40 AM