Recently, a situation arose that has inspired this post. I closed a home for a client over a year ago. The client was one of those who was very demanding, wanted everyone to do everything for them, and, treated all parties with disdain. Needless to say, it was touchy and difficult for all involved.
Yesterday, this client reached out via text asking me to "remove" a lien from their home. When I explained that not only could I not do this for them legally this type of situation requires the "owner" of the property to perform their own due diligence with the proper entities. I explained as politely and professionally as I could who they needed to speak with, where these offices were located, phone numbers, etc.
Unfortunately, this was not sufficient for them. The texting became more and more insistent even to the point of accusing myself and the listing agent of sneaking documents by them. Basically, I was being accused of misleading, withholding, and evading information. Wow!
It is hard to not get snarky as we never know what is going in with someone at that moment. However, it is never alright to verbally abuse or accuse someone when you are frustrated. What I have discovered is this client believes that everyone should do the work for them, they should never have to lift a finger, and, that because I closed this transaction with them, I am now their personal secretary until the end of time.
While we can certainly be available to clarify, answer questions, provide reminders about homestead deadlines, give them contact information, etc., there are certain things that we can not do for a client who we have completed a transaction. We cannot do any legal work, we cannot release liens, we cannot file their county taxes, and, we cannot dictate HOA issues.
As much as I would have wanted to help this client with this lien situation, it was simply out of my hands both legally and fiduciarily. The bottom line is it is never OK to threaten, falsely accuse, or verbally assault those who were involved in a transaction. This includes the agents, the title company, the tax assessor's office, or the lender.
As much as we try to educate our clients, there will always be those who believe we are at their beck and call long after a transaction has closed. While I work hard to maintain relationships, there are some people who you just need to allow to walk right out of your life! Goodbye and best of luck.
In Texas, this is where fiduciary duty ends:
"In Texas, a real estate agent's fiduciary duty to their client generally ends when the real estate transaction is completed or when the contractual relationship between the agent and the client is terminated. This can occur through the completion of the sale, the mutual agreement of the parties, or the expiration of the contract."
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