Of course we have all been there - you have worked with the client for several months, perhaps written several offers too, but none of them were accepted for one reason or another. The client loves you and assures you that no other agent has ever been as good as you are. THEN - the email or phone call comes. There was a house before they met you, they didn't mean to, the negotiations were directly with the for sale by owner, the builder or his next door neighbor. Who cares! the intent was good but the result is dreadful.
They are buying a house without you, even though they have promised undying love. It has happened to me only once or twice in 20 years, but it just happened a month ago again. Ouch! I did what we all do. I lied. I said how happy I was for him; that the most important thing is for him to get the house of his dreams. (In this case, it was new construction he had seen 6 months ago, before he met me. The builder called him back after 6 months to say - Lets Make a Deal - without an agent of course!)
At least he was being honest, and I did understand the position he found himself in, so I was understanding and gracious. As someone once told me, this situation is the only time a Realtor is allowed to lie! Of course we are delighted for our client of six months who just bought a house on an open house without us! Of course we understand that our client of ten months bought a house from his wife's high school roommate's cousin because they felt badly for her! Of course we will still be friends forever ........ Yeah! Right! I have friends! Why don't they understand this is business!
Then the next email came from my now former client - explaining that the house, a townhouse, really wasn't the house of his dreams. It was just a really good deal and close to his parents, who really wanted him to buy the house. I couldn't resist, so I asked why he was buying something he didn't love, and reminding him that he had not want a townhouse; he wanted a single family house, and that I was sure there were good deals out there to be had for a savvy buyer.
After a few more brief but friendly emails I knew it was time to let it rest. I had been supportive but honest in my attempt to dissuade him from buying a property that didn't seem to be a good match for him, and even worse - HE DIDN"T WANT TO BUY! I thought occasionally of my former client and idlely wondered when his settlement was scheduled for.
Then, yesterday, while I was at my daughter's ice hockey game, I checked my messages during a break, and there was an email from my previously former, and now again, current client. He had taken my advice to heart and decided to hold off on the purchase. (How he avoided loss of his earnest money deposit is not a question I even wanted to raise!)
We are apparently back in business! I have written an offer on a property that he is still interested in that is a short sale, and we will see how it turns out. I really thought that this one was dead and gone, but good things do occasionally come through when you let go of them for a little while. We'll see.
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