I just got off the phone with a potential client who knew zilch about how the typical real estate transaction works. All she knew was that she needed a Broomfield real estate agent. Commissions…what are they? Inspection…is that for pricing? Contracts…you mean I have to sign something? It reminded me of my own experience as a first time buyer.
I must have had “sucker” tattooed across my forehead when I contacted my first real estate agent. This guy was a complete nightmare. Once he’d established that I knew nothing of how the typical transaction worked he made sure that I understood that it was normal for the client drive to the agent’s house to deliver paperwork, sign documents, and plan our outings.
His dog bit me twice (just scratches, but still…) and he tried to blame me for “looking scared”.
He actually called me his “no balls client” once while we were looking at homes in a particularly nasty neighborhood. I expressed my reluctance to purchase a fixer in this area and he (jokingly) referred to me as his (see above) client.
He took a two-week vacation one week before my closing and didn’t tell me.
He once called me to complain about his “high-maintenance first time buyer” who was driving him crazy. The problem was that he thought he’d dialed the mortgage broker’s number when he’d mistakenly dialed mine, so he was complaining to me about me.
When I asked if it was possible that another agent at his office could work with me he referenced our contract and said that if I wanted to buy a house within the next six months, then it would have to be with him.
This story has a happy ending because the Realtor whom he sent to attend the closing while he was on vacation ending up becoming a good friend of mine and is one of the reasons I got into real estate in the first place.
My nightmare experience as a first time home buyer continues to inspire me to take extra good care of the folks who have no clue about how real estate works. Even if they don’t list or buy with me I always try to arm them with a little knowledge so they’ll never be treated the way I was.
Whether my clients are looking for Boulder real estate, Denver real estate, or any of the wonderful regions along the Front Range, it really doesn't matter. I'll happily give them as much of an education in the typical real estate transaction as I can. And if they end up listing or buying through me then that's great. If not, then at least I've given them the tools they need to work with their future real estate agent.
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