Special offer

A day late and a dollar short...

By
Real Estate Agent with Lewis and Clark Realty Inc. West

I am writing to share an experience I just had with some buyers looking to buy a home.  I was contacted by e-mail by some clients who had disappeared from the home buying scene for a while.  They said they would be in the area between this date and this date and would like to go and look for a suitable home in their price range.  They indicated also that they are ready to buy but can't decide which area of the state they want to live in for sure.....

I set up an appointment for them to meet me at my office and do the paperwork for buyers agency and then proceed to make a list of the homes they wanted to see..... We then ventured off to see the first of many homes, had lunch, and finished up at around 3 p.m. 

The buyers really liked the first home we toured, but said we need some time to think this over knowing that the price on the home they liked had just significantly dropped and that there was a realtor at the house ready to take his buyer through the house when we were finished. 

In the mean time 2 days pass.....My buyers called me...They said they really liked the house and that they would like to talk about the possiblity of writing an offer.  I had just checked the MLS right before they called, the house they had their hearts set on, that they had to go home to think about was pending with a financing contingency.  The sellers agent said it looked pretty solid.  My buyers we heartbroken!  This made their decision much easier....I guess....

About 1 hour passed, I noticed they tried to call my cell phone...I called them back...thinking maybe they had another choice...they said they accidently dialed my number by mistake when trying to call another realtor from another area of the state. 

Now I am the one who is heartbroken.  What could I have done better to keep this from happening....I don't know why people wait to decide.  I think when you see the right house you just know.  Unless, they needed to call the bank....in which case I would have advised doing so before the showing.....

A penny for your thoughts.....

 

Holly Lynch
Keller Williams Greenville Central - Travelers Rest, SC

It's happening more and more often. It used to happen when it was a sellers market but now it's happening because the deals are so good they're getting snatched up. Remind buyers that time still is of the essence and if they want it dont' wait. If you use this story on your next clients it won't happen again I promise

Jul 17, 2008 07:12 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

The longer you are in real estate the more things like this happen...it is what it is...you can not control your clients actions.

Jul 17, 2008 07:20 AM
George Sanchez
California Housing Realty - Corona, CA

We all have had this happen and it sometimes may not be avoidable.  However, here are some things I do that might help...

- Prepare the buyer for the possibility that the house might be sold before they submit their offer...I say this when I know for sure the house is "good deal".

- Tell them that even if the house is pending, get their offer in anyway because many pending sales are not going through.....even if you know its a solid deal.  If this is done, clients will most likely wait for some kind of finality to this deal and not call other agents...but make sure to do the following step.

- Last and most important, show them another property before you give them a final answer (if the answer is not positive) on the one above.

Anyway, these are my thoughts.  Good Luck.

Jul 17, 2008 07:21 AM
Richard Mielke
RE/MAX Results - Gettysburg, PA
REALTOR, Gettysburg Pennsylvania Real Estate

I always try to do the "what if" questions early on with my buyers. What if we find a house that you really like and it meets your needs today? What if while we are there another buyer comes through and it appears they really like it? What if we find out tomorrow someone has written an offer? Also try and keep them focused on the best two homes you have shown them, in case the first one is gone.

Jul 17, 2008 07:36 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Not too much you can do.  People dont think houses sell that fast but they do.  They seem like they are all over the board on their search too.

Jul 17, 2008 07:42 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

We invite you back to ActiveRain in 2016!

     Much has changed since your last visit to ActiveRain.

      We encourage you to take a look at the "new" ActiveRain website!

Dec 09, 2016 07:28 PM