Real estate agents wield a stunning degree of control over property transfers. They often direct their clients to mortgage brokers, inspectors, title and escrow companies, and even lawyers. They are trusted to keep their clients best interest at heart when working together. Sometimes things go bad in the relationship or the individual real estate agent. The real estate market is not immune to its failures, and like every other industry that can be filled, has its own share of people that has given a bad name to their respective profession.
I can remember back in 1992 when I was buying a house that I fell in love with. I really wanted the house but also wanted certain things added in the deal. I wanted all the appliances, the large Mirror that was attached over the fire place and the washer and dryer. I also wanted the garage emptied out and all the paint cans removed from the site. I had spent about a month working with a realtor, but had come across this listing myself by chance. It also happened to be listed by the same company that the realtor worked for. I made a full price offer with 20% down, closing could be ASAP, and I gave them 2 extra days stay since it was a weekend without any rent back. We all gathered together at the house so the offer could be presented. It started out great; we had a lovely talk about the house and its history, what the owners had down as far as updates went. The offer was presented and my realtor suggested that I go outside to have a smoke and give the sellers and her some time to negotiate. That sounded great to me, my realtor knew all my objectives and why I wanted the things left behind. I went to my car that was in the driveway and took out one of my clove cigarettes. Now this was summer, and the kitchen window was open. The meeting was being held in the dinning room so the conversation could be heard from outside by myself. I paid little attention to the conversation at first because but then something a part of my conversation got my attention. I heard my MY AGENT, make the statement that I was a sure thing on the deal and that I had a few other requests but more then likely I would buy it even if they did not agree to my terms. Part of that was true; I did tell my agent that I did not want it to be a deal breaker. I could not believe my ears, she had even tried negotiating the deal and I became upset. The Sellers said great, they would try to sell me the appliances and keep the mirror and my agent responded that she could most likely sell that to me. Keep in mind I was 26 years old and still was working on developing my communication skills when I was angry. I was furious at this point, and proceeded to walk into the house and regenerated my thoughts and final offer out. I fired my Agent on the spot, and told the sellers that I would be back in the morning with another Agent and I would make the same offer and I was not going to negotiate at all, it would be my final offer. They could take it or leave it; I did not care at that point. I called her principal broker and complained, his response was, that it was not professional and he was sorry. He then went on to explain that she was a top producer, as if I even cared at that point. She was cut out of the picture completely and I was able to bring another agent from another company in and completed the deal. My experience with that agent I will never forget and I pay close attention to my fellow agent's morals and ethics now. I always have my client's best interest in mind because I can reflect back to a time when another person did not have my interest first.
I have learned that not every individual is going to be the same and not every agent is just looking out for their own best interest. The relationship between client and realtor is based on trust, and honesty, once in a while that trust can be shattered and give a view of negativity to the profession. I would be very interested in hearing from those that have had such an experience. I do not pretend that there are not people in this profession that would be better off doing something else. I desire to learn from others mistakes so that I can be the best that I can be in this profession without making the mistakes that has caused people to be apprehensive and bitter at times.
Share your stories please, I truely want to learn from them.
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