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"Can I ask you a quick question?"

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with RE/MAX Preferred RS152252A

A month or so ago, I was referred to a man who lived next door to a townhouse that I listed.  It sold in a few days, with favorable terms to my seller-client.

I visited the new prospective client at his home, fully prepared with a full market analysis.  He expressed that he needed to sell to buy and that he wasn't sure he was even going to move.  He hadn't been in the house very long, about a year, but didn't like the development or the location.

I spoke with him a time or two after that, and he seemed to be staying put.

Last night, he called my cell and asked if he could ask me a quick question.  

I wasn't a quick question. He then proceeded to tell me that he bought a house that was closing in two weeks and that his current home had been on the market for 11 days. He listed with a friend, who found him the home he purchased because he wanted to help his friend out.  It seems his friend is a part-time agent and this man wasn't all that pleased that his house is sitting (11 days is not that long) and he wanted my advice.

I told him that I couldn't offer him advice at this point because I would be interfering with his agency agreement with his friend. I reminded him that I was a full-time realtor with a lot of experience.  He wanted to once again use my experience and knowledge.  Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Who you work with matters!

I wished him good luck and goodbye.

Photo by:  Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash

 

Posted by

Susan C. Mangigian

re/max preferred
117 Campus Blvd, Suite 155, Newtown Square, PA 19073

610-719-1700 main office, 610-299-6237 cell 

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Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Some people just don't seem to get it's a package deal.  You get who you hire, pro and con, and you don't get to tap someone who isn't getting paid to fill in the "cons" from who you did hire. 

Jul 30, 2024 11:22 AM
Susan Mangigian

It is truly unbelievable!

Jul 30, 2024 11:26 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home again, home again...

Allright.  I know that you know this... but I'll say it out loud anyway.  When they reach out to you... you are allowed to answer any questions they ask and you are not interfering with his agency agreement.  It would be different if you had sought him out, but he reached out to you.

I know that's not the way you operate, nor the way you want to operate... and that's fine.  That's between you, and your conscience.  But legally, ethically, and code-of-ethically, you are allowed to answer any questions he might have posed.

Jul 30, 2024 11:28 AM
Susan Mangigian

I'm not sure I can answer questions about how their agent is handling the listing without interfering. I know I can speak to them, but I'm not sure about advice.

Jul 30, 2024 12:33 PM
Alan May

You can certainly tell them how you would handle any circumstance they might raise.  That would not be tortious interference.

Jul 31, 2024 12:24 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Susan Mangigian, Good for you. I agree with you 100%. Some people just do not understand the word fiduciary

Jul 30, 2024 11:40 AM
Susan Mangigian

Hi!  I hope you are well!

Jul 30, 2024 12:34 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Susan Mangigian,

Alan is correct, however you are under no obligation to share your expertise and knowledge. He has an agent so he needs to live with his choice of choosing an inexperienced, part time agent. You get what you pay for!

Jul 30, 2024 11:41 AM
Susan Mangigian

Thank you.  People have such nerve. I didn't use you but can you help me? Lol.  

Jul 30, 2024 12:34 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Susan- I used to think that people didn't understand how commissions or fees worked. Not any more. People want to get something for nothing. 

When I was on a vacant staging bid, I had clients ask me to draw a diagram where I would put everything and where I would get the inventory.  Not happening.

Jul 30, 2024 07:41 PM
Susan Mangigian

My ex-husband draws floorplans to do his carpet installs and he's had people use them to order carpet cheaper elsewhere. He doesn't give them away anymore. 

Aug 03, 2024 08:11 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Nice to see you back posting it has been ages Susan Mangigian , it is too bad it had to be a post like this instead that you got the deal, you were kind enough I would have told him to fly a kite, Endre

Jul 30, 2024 10:16 PM
Susan Mangigian

I kind of did, in a nice way. Lol 

Aug 03, 2024 08:09 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Susan - some real estate questions like the scenarios we experience in everyday life seem to be repeated over and over.  And then again.  Ah, the reality of realty. . .  

Jul 31, 2024 05:14 AM
Susan Mangigian

After almost 40 years, you would think I'd be used to it

 

Aug 03, 2024 08:09 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Unfortunately, many people have no problems using us for information and then using someone else for the actual transaction (sigh). He picked a different real estate agent, and that's who he needs to use unless he fires him.

Carol Williams  - another suggestion for 2nd chance saturday.

Jul 31, 2024 05:34 AM
Susan Mangigian

Agree. The nerve though!

Aug 03, 2024 08:09 AM
Michael Elliott
Fathom Realty - Burlington Township, NJ
Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales

Sounds like a flip flopper who struggles with decisions.  I am in Nj and just followed you  :-)

Aug 03, 2024 02:17 AM
Susan Mangigian

Thank you!  I will follow you back!

Aug 03, 2024 08:08 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

If one has been in this business long enough you will get at least one of those that steals the knowledge and then does something else. I had that happen las year and they went FSBO.

Aug 03, 2024 03:30 AM
Susan Mangigian

It never fails to irritate!

Aug 03, 2024 08:08 AM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

You don’t know what you are not getting, until you don’t get it !!!  ………………………..

Aug 03, 2024 11:08 AM
Susan Mangigian

So true!

Aug 09, 2024 12:10 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Like you, I would have kept my advice close to the vest, Susan. Why give his friend advice as to how to market a property anyway?! This was most definitely his loss.

SO good to see you posting! We have missed you around these parts, girlfriend!

Aug 08, 2024 11:46 AM
Susan Mangigian

I had gotten away from it. Too much time on Facebook! Xo

Aug 09, 2024 12:10 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

What a sad story. Yet, few of us have not run into a situation where someone only wanted to pick our brains...not do business with us.

Oct 03, 2024 11:56 AM
Susan Mangigian

There will always be people who pick your brain, unfortunately.

Oct 05, 2024 07:22 AM