I turned this listing down… What would you have done?

I really do stick to my guns when it comes to pricing a potential new listing to sell it. Key word being "sell", not "list". This particular property is extraordinarily unique. I figured my odds of selling it at any price were limited. But the price that the sellers told me they"had to have", made it not only a unique property, but also a difficult one to sell.

Here are a few of the details

1.  The nicest property in a not so nice area. Red flag, red flag!

2.  The house started out 30 years ago at 720 ft.² The square footage is now guesstimated at approximately 5000 ft.²  The owners added onto it gradually and made it absolutely perfect… Wait for it…For Them!!  Did I say "unique?"

3.  It is located on 18 acres of arid, desert land. The city is Desert Hot Springs, which is known for its wide open spaces ,depressed local economy, cheap land, high winds (hence the windmills everywhere!),  and rumored "meth labs".  Not the location that's going to pull in a well-to-do client ,in my opinion of course.

The sellers wanted me to list it at $1,750,000.  That was the only number.  Because this would be a luxury listing , the total commission would be 5% with a .25% referral fee back to the seller (who is a realtor in Northern CA), on the List side.  I did my homework, agreed to take the listing, with an upset stomach and questioning myself, pay for the aerial shots needed to market it, pay for the ads in the magazines- both California and Canada, but I would not budge on the listing side of the commission. 

 This property is a long drive from anywhere , and would have to be shown appointment only .  The seller balked at the .5% commission that I would not take off the listing side, and  they decided not to list with me.  I am relieved.  I believe I would have had to market this property for a very long time , and even then the prospect of finding the unique buyer for this unique property, was very low.

 I believe that being honest with the seller and standing firm on your boundaries is the way to go.  I suspect I may see this property with another agent and I wish them all the best!   Sometimes you just have to move on to the next play.