Amy, it's sure not very nice, but this stuff happens.  Unless you have a client relationship with a signed contract, you just need to move on and learn from this experience.

Hi Amy, I've done many difficult leases, including looking for properties suitable for addiction rehabilitation use. I would of liked to have collected a retainer upfront, but either broker rules or the marketplace would prevent me from doing that. A BBA is possible in a lease situation, but your best bet is your gut/intuition for something like this, and than to continually reevaluate.

With most lease prospects, I have a sit down, check credit (the copy of which is normally accepted by the other party) and complete a perfected lease application with everything except the address and the monthly amount offered for a lease property, this alone weeds out the type of prospects that effective and efficient agents should stay away from.

I would also add that finding a suitable property and an owner who is willing to lease to a addiction rehabilitation provider is like finding a diamond in the rough in most markets. Something is fishy here and it's stinking bad!

People who are like this are time wasters, drop them and proceed forward with some more respectful clients!!

Sadly, that's the nature of working with people. It happens to all of us, and it probably always will. Not that we like it.

How frustrating! It sounds as though you worked your butt off trying to find them the right property. Unfortunately, sometimes buyers or renters flake out and there isn't much we can do about it. Perhaps doing more up front qualifying will weed out more of this type of person, but even that isn't 100% effective.

If you don't have a feeling that they are loyal, ask straight question and walk away if needed to!!!

Amy, it sounds like you have multiple issue with this client. First, they do not seem trust worthy in your eyes, so it is time to have a real conversation with them about thier true goals. Second, it sounds as if they are working with several other agents and the one that finds them the right deal will get paid. You need to have a talk about loyalty, commission only status and maybe this is the right time to ask for a retainer? More inprotantly, it seems you have a client who you don't trust to negotiate in good faith. It is time to re-evalute if you want to continue the relationship or not. A simple statement that you have enjoyed the opportunity to help them, but it seems that you have presented two great optins and they have declined both and you feel it woul dbe in their best interest ( yours too) that they work with some other agent. Stop the madenss on your terms.

Move on. Be productive.

Not wise to base everything done on money alone. Every opportunity is a chance to market and advertise who you are. Remember the rule: People buy from people first & then the product.  When positive word of mouth kicks in, you struck the mother lode...Do what you love to do and the money appears

Well Amy, I hope I'm not any different, but I would suggest you change how you approach and deal with clients.

#1, I meet with all my clients the first time at the office for a pre-meeting - this means all the parties that will potentially sign a contract. I interview and identify their needs and requirements (i make notes), plus the money part as well as their ID. If they don't show up for their appointment - then it's not a client, and I don't do one once of work.

#2, then they must sign a buyer-broker contract with me for me to start any work at all. They don't sign, then no service is provided. I call this their permission for me to start gathering information, the search and to contact other agents.

#3, in special circumstances, perhaps like this one, they must deposit a search or consulting fee, that may or may not be credited. 

I do this with every single client, no exceptions. This way I eliminate all the deadbeats, liars and cheaters, and tire kickers, so I won't waste my time and resources. 

I don't understand the agents that don't do this.

I always try to get a buyer agency agreement signed off.  Especially if you are spending more than 1 day working with a buyer.  They need to make a commitment to work exclusively with you and make sure that you get paid for your time regardless of what they ultimately do. 

Amy Palian - even when buyer/tenant is referred, it is in your best interest to have an agreement signed with them.

We all may have similar situation to share with others - however, it's easy to think others are responsible for this. If we protect our own interest, these things may not happen.

Good Luck.

Not dwelling on these types of incidents will make you a much better person and a better agent for the learning experience - thanks for sharing

Amy, sorry that you wasted your time. Possibly this person needed the therapy lol! She involved many people & had a lot of time spent & to what purpose? So far I think you said she took a pass on 3 properties - that's enough to throw her to the curb in my book especially for a rental.

One other thought I had was I doubt that she could run that sort of operation without village approval. I remember something about that in our town & the neighbors were outraged.

It was voted down & out due to zoning.

Before I read Lyn Sims comment I was thinking the sale thing about local ordinances. I know it means nothing now but that would have been a question of mine from the beginning. What a big disappointment to have spent this kind of time given how it turned out. There are some buyers/renters like this. Glad you have moved on and perhaps with some learning about how to address some issues up front going forward.

Buyers are liars and sellers, too extends to those who want to lease as well!