Begin at the beginning has a call coming into my phone from a client. This client used me as their agent to secure a rental in one of my areas. Rentals are not my business, but my business is driven by making good people thrilled with my knowledge and service. The rental went smoothly for two years and when it was time for them to buy they called me. Yesterday we closed on their new home and they were thrilled, again, but that is not this story. This story has Angela calling me because someone just came to their door trying to rent their place and he sounded desperate. I don't like it when a client opens a door for a random person because I have my sign in their lawn. Yes, I secured the rental listing on this property while working as my renter's Buyers Agent. No stone unturned is the motto of all good agents and so when I knew my renters were going to buy I went to the Landlord and asked him if he would like me to find him more great tenants like the ones that are leaving.
I know I said I am not a rental agent, and I am not, but in this case this property is inside my sweet spot. It is a luxury home in a luxury area and so I am on-board. Angela described the person who came to the door and sent me his name and number. I researched him before calling back. He owned a luxury value property in the same town, he was desperate to rent. I called him back knowing there was a story to be listened to hear, and I love stories. Bill told me that he needed to get into a property right away because he had a buyer for his home and he wanted to buy another but he needed some place to stay in the interim. I quickly explained that this is not an interim property and there would be no tenant at will lease on this lovely home. I asked more questions.
Now one month later I have had maybe 23 calls from Bill. He has gone from wanting to act as his own agent on both the buy side and the sell side but he needed questions answered. I was willing to answer his questions because the story is so familiar. He was being manipulated on all sides by unscrupulous agents with commission breath. Of course, I didn't say that right away because I knew Bill was sure all agents are unscrupulous. The place he was trying to buy had an agent who would accept his full offer only if he signed a contract with her to represent him. She had no other offers the property was over priced and on the market 45 days already. I said run. It took him another week to realize I gave him great advice.
The deal on his own home was a below market offer from an agent who wants to move into this great town before school starts. Bill is careful to not tell me the agents name, but I know the offer is very advantageous to the agent making the offer. He also asked for above market price for the rental if Bill wanted to stay in the property after they close. As you know, when someone is paranoid and cautious at the same time they are sure to be in the worst situation and that is where Bill was. I counseled him that he should not accept this offer because this agent could change rugs, update the kitchen floor and get an extra $150,000 in a turnaround sale. Bill demurred. This story goes on to the next property which I will cover tomorrow. At this point, Bill is not a client, just someone I talk to regularly when he calls me. His story is so familiar and my only goal is to help him not be taken advantage of by the agents he so distrusts. What do you think the outcome will be? Begin at the beginning with the end in mind has always been my philosophy. I will carry on tomorrow.
