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They are not listening again....

By
Real Estate Agent with RETIRED 200305001

I have been working with some older "first time buyers". They lost the first home by deciding the were tired and wanted to write an offer the next morning on something that seldom comes on the market. You guessed it, it sold before we could write it. This week they were about to do it again when I reminded them "that's how you lost the last one".

We got this one to the dismay of several Realtors that called me about it. Then I gave the buyers a list of Home Inspectors (3) that do most of the work in our coastal town and understnd our conditions and tupe of problems to look for.

And once again Not listening. They said " we called all three. 3 times each and NO CALL BACK. This was in a 2 hour time span in the middle of the day. They are BUSY because they are good and will call you before the day is over. Nope. they called someone from 75 miles away in a different climate and conditions that I have never heard of. He answered because he was NOT busy in the middle of a WORK DAY. That should be a clue.

I wish the best for them.

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Rob Shepherd -  ABR, GRI, REALTORS® for Florence Oregon Real Estate
Expert in helping those buy or sell Florence Oregon property and retire in Oregon. Call me anytime or visit my website for local listings and information on Florence Oregon.
Email: mr.listit@gmail.com 541-991-0607

Christi Hacker
Realty ONE Group Sterling - Omaha, NE
Your Omaha Area Real Estate Specialist

Like other commenters, I prefer to present a choice to my client and ask for their input on home inspector, and ask what times the client can meet at the house, and then I'll schedule it for them. I'll also follow up with the client the day before to confirm. Often they get busy and if I can help keep things on track, we are all better for it.

Feb 26, 2014 03:21 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Karen: You are right about leaving deadlines to clients usually not a good idea.

Christina: Keeping it all on track is a biggie!

Feb 26, 2014 03:32 AM
John Oman
Newington, CT

I have found they dont have to be old first buyers to act this way.  Even young buyers procrastinate.  Think on it for a night on a home thats ready to get a contract...  I always say,  if you lost this house would you be highly disappointed?  If so, lets write the contract now...

Feb 26, 2014 03:44 AM
Marsha Cash
RE/MAX Advantage - Stockbridge, GA

I find a number of clients who don't take my recommendations for lenders or inspectors.  Not sure if it's trust or they think they can do better somewhere else!

Feb 26, 2014 03:59 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

John: I'm sure that is true.

Marsha: This is the first time in over 10 years I have had this happen.

Feb 26, 2014 04:09 AM
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

I had clients who had to pray on everything.  After they lost one house...I explained to them that the other people before them that also need to pray...prayed first.  So we did a prayer right then...I led it... and it was a general prayer asking for guidance and blessing for our travels the next day and for this prayer to count towards the home when we find it.  (I also had the contract all filled out and printed for 4 different houses except a couple of handwritten lines for price and special conditions.)  

Feb 26, 2014 04:10 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Mike: Haven't tried that angle yet.

Feb 26, 2014 04:16 AM
Mary Ann Smith,
Keyes 786-278-6598 www.MarySmith.Keyes.com - Kendall, FL

All of them do the same thing.  Listening is not a part of their agenda. They always want to do what they want and only act when it is too late.  Thanks for sharing 

Feb 26, 2014 05:05 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Mary: we will see how this one plays out.

Feb 26, 2014 05:33 AM
Brian Clinger
Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt - Cascade, MI
Brian Clinger ABR, GRI, CRS, SRES

Hey Mary,  some are just harder to coach than others.  Thanks for sharing I'm glad to know it is not just me sometimes.

Feb 26, 2014 06:01 AM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

I think many buyers just don't realize how much of a difference a knowledgable inspector can make towards making the whole sale a smoother one. 

Feb 26, 2014 08:54 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Oh Rob.....this is all to familiar.....Next.

Feb 26, 2014 09:57 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Are they really motivated to buy? They don't trust you, respect your expertise as a Realtor?  I had to laugh at the 'no call back' remark.  Some folks think a vendor (or Realtor!) should return a call within a minute or two and don't realize we are serving other customers!

Feb 26, 2014 10:44 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Lora: Agreed

Sheila: I bet you have been there.

Mary: The last part of your statement sums it up.

Feb 26, 2014 10:56 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well, good luck with that. Funny how these patient people became impatient that someone didn't call them right back.

 

Feb 27, 2014 12:30 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Lyn these are single working folks like us. If they had someone extra to answer the phone then inspections would cost alot more.

Feb 27, 2014 12:47 AM
Jeff Jensen
The Federal Savings Bank/Lending in 50 states - Greenwich, CT

There is a lot information first time buyers just don't know.  Dealing with them can be a challenge.

Feb 27, 2014 07:07 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Gotta have patience for these types of buyers.  You must have been frustrated! 

Feb 27, 2014 08:24 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I generally ask my clients if they would like me to set up the inspections.  Most the time they have me do it.

Feb 28, 2014 02:50 AM
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Jeff: Challenge is a very polite word for what I am thinking.

Jan: Frustrated is the under statement.

Gene: If we order them then we become responsible to pay them.

Feb 28, 2014 10:48 AM