Admin

Seller Who Works For The Union Has Unusual Request!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West

We all care about clients whose listing has expired and, in most cases, ask that they continue their listing after the expiration.  I had a very unusul request and I thought I'd share it with all of you to see if anyone else has encountered anything similar.

One of my listings expired and, of course, I asked that the seller continue with me.  I had done everyting right,  I always tell my Sellers when I initially list their home that I will always tell them the truth whether it's good or bad news; and, I kept him informed every step of the way with documentation to prove what I was telling him.  Here in Northeast Ohio we have a lot of seller's remorse. 

To make a long story short...My seller works with the unions helping to start unions in companies where there are none.  He told me he would relist with me, but my Broker would have to reduce his part of the commission but mine must stay the same.  I sent an email explaining how the commissions work, but have not heard from him since, nor have I seen his house in the MLS with another Realtor.  Because we have had such a drastic reduction in prices, I believe he is probably trying to sell by owner. 

Anyone else had a request similar?

Show All Comments Sort:
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

You get what you pay for...no such request...does he work for less ? He argues "union scale" when it is his money and discounts when it's not...Next....

Feb 27, 2009 11:42 PM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Hi Sue - Your seller was way out of line by making a request contrary to your brokerage's policy.  He may be involved with forming unions in othe companies but he should stick to that.  His relationship with you should be based on your efforts to sell his home.  Conditions of compensation are out of his domain here.

Feb 27, 2009 11:47 PM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Sue..similar requests are made at an alarming rate, the seller wants you to continue to work hard on his behalf but is seeking conciliation for the down market. The problem is the company does most of the promotion and marketing so why would they continue to spend on a listing at a reduced rate.

Feb 27, 2009 11:47 PM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Thats kind of a crazy request.  I don't think my broker would go it.  After all, the commission goes to the broker first.  The break down after that is between the company and you.  The seller has no business there.

Feb 27, 2009 11:49 PM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Sue, it appears he was looking for a fee reduction, but didn't want it taken out of your portion. As a Union organizer, he was looking out for your best interest. Unusual request though.

Feb 27, 2009 11:57 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Good luck!

Feb 28, 2009 12:00 AM
Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Sue, Keep doing the good job.

Best - Sash

Feb 28, 2009 12:06 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Since you are in business and have a commission split agreement with your broker, his demand is no more or less than contract interference. 

The unions and their representatives are feeling their oats these days. 

Feb 28, 2009 12:17 AM
Connie Lou Barnett
Real Living/Home Realty - Owensboro, KY
GRI,CRS,CRB,SRMM,ARA,PRS,SFR,QSC

That is really surprising coming from a union guy with all their demands.  Keep up the good work you don't need this guy.

Feb 28, 2009 12:54 AM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

Seems to me that he just wanted to try something fresh and was asking you for something that he knew you couldn't do. .. try a different angle and call him to tell him of a new "marketing technique"(find one ,don't lie) you've just found and you would like to use it with his property

DON"T GIVE UP!

Feb 28, 2009 01:18 AM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Tell him next time he goes to a doctor agree to pay the doctor less but the nurse must get the same amount of pay.  Have hid say that as he about to go into open heart surgery.

Feb 28, 2009 02:51 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Sue, it is a strange request!  I am sure that it makes sense to the seller, but probably only him.  I honestly have never heard of anything like this before, but I will readily admit, I still have much to learn!  It may do him some good to try to sell it FSBO for awhile and get an idea of what we do to earn that commission for ourselves and our brokerages.

Mar 01, 2009 06:59 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

I'm amazed that he is trying to deal with a relationship between you and your Broker!!!  AMAZING!!  It is good that you moved on. 

Mar 11, 2009 03:19 PM