I recently experienced what I consider to be a traumatic awakening which will remain with me for a very long time. I had a client who I worked with for a considerable length of time and diligently promoted their property (at 100% my expense). We received a workable offer which my client refused to negotiate. In fact, my client insisted on the realtors lowering their commissions to try to get the sale (which we did) but obviously the counter was rejected. Then, after a short time, my client decides to reduce the price to a level that would have consumated the previous offer. (OMG!) Of course I contacted the realtor who made the prior offer but that client was gone. However, I learned that my client had contacted this buyer directly (after refusing to negotiate their offer with me) and tried to negotiate a deal with the buyer directly that excluded both realtors. (OMG!) I am appalled & hurt that someone would do this, this shows a complete lack of respect and no appreciation - after all it was my marketing that brought this buyer! I feel like I was taken advantage of and that this former client used me for free marketing. I walked away from this listing with a knife in my back and a smaller bank account. So, beware of the predator seller - I will now be presenting my listing agreements with some protective stipulations and any offer I present will not have the other party's contact info included.
We have all been there and we learn from our errors as in this business you must be deatailed dot our eyes and cross our t's.
I think you probably would have been able to go after them for a commission should that have happened.
I had a client who wanted to see a property that was listed by another Realtor. I called and set up the showing for Sunday afternoon because it was being shown on Sunday morning. I called my client to confirm the showing and he told me that he would meet me at the property. I happened to drive by the property that Sunday morning and the other Realtor was showing it ---to my client. He called me just before my showing and told me that he wanted to put in an offer. I told him that he would have to do it with the Realtor that showed it to him. I then called the other Realtor and cancelled my showing because we had the same buyer. Also let her know that he had wanted me to put in the offer but I had refused. There is no Buyer loyalty unless you have them sign an agreement.
Trudi, you have to have your antennas out to get a feel for whose worth working for and who is not. It is one of the hardest things to learn and I still deal with it. If I listen to my gut...I always have the warning signals....but sometimes I still override. I'm listening to my gut more and more!
Trudi - I hear ya! I also had clients recently who I started to distrust because they got a little too chummy with the sellers when we were looking. My buyers have dropped out of sight suddenly...and I wonder!
Sorry to hear it, Trudi, but its hard sometimes to deal with people who lie directly to your face. Good luck.
Our local Association stipulates that the Buyer paperwork be signed during the first significant contact. By my way of thinking that would be before you take them on a tour and as you are learning about their likes and dislikes! It certainly would save a lot of misunderstanding! That goes for the seller side too! I believe that our National and Local Association of Realtors are looking out for our welfare!
Welcome to the Active Rain community. You have chosen a great site with tons of information you can learn from.
Hey Trudi - Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post. Be sure to spend some time looking around at what and how others are blogging here. It is a great education and lots of fun. Looks like you're off to a great start...keep it up!
Trudi,
Welcome to Active Rain! Congrats on your first blog! Very sorry to hear about your experience, I learned long ago, Buyer's (& Seller's) are Liars! You'll find this a great place to learn, share ides, and most important, build your business! If you ever have a question on a VA Loan, or an FHA Loan feel free to contact me.
Ron Brown
VA & FHA Loan Specialist
First Mortgage Company of Washington
Puyallup, WA
Welcome to Active Rain! For some tips on how to get started here, check out my blog entry at ActiveRain Fast-Start Tips for Quick and Easy Points
Happy blogging and good luck!
Hello Trudi,
Sorry to hear of your situation. Keep pressing onward and upward.
-Keith
First of all, I sympathize with you - there are people out there who are unethical and we have to deal with them. Second, I wanted to personally welcome you to active rain! This is a great community for sharing and learning. Join some groups, check out some blogs, and enjoy! Write whatever comes to mind - sometimes the blogs that have nothing to do with real estate are the best!
Hi Trudi, Welcome to AR, Be a Blogholic and start writing your own blog soon on AR. All the best for your RE business. This is the right place for customers, friends, realtionships etc.
Best - Sash
PS: FREE blog traffic strategy video...Hope this will help you... click here
I think the old saying goes.."Buyers are liars and sellers are worse" The main thing is to not let it get to you or discourage you. There was an old rule I think 10 to 1..10 contacts to one worthwhile one. Just count it a one less to go!
They sign the buyer agreement or they don't go look at the homes. If they don't want to sign, there is a good chance they would try to pull this or some other stunt that will leave you hanging and upset. It's tough to let buyers walk away, but its tougher getting the short end of the deal.
I see that you are new to Active Rain and I just wanted to welcome you. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do and that you find it a great resource.
Hi Trudi - Welcome to ActiveRain. I look forward to networking with you and reading your future post. Have a great day!!!
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