By
Todd Clark (Broker/Sales Coach)
503-524-9494
I
have to say this ended up being on great inspection and it ended up
with my buyer not asking for a thing to be repaired, well
because the
stuff was just things like light switches that were cracked and other
little things that happen with time. They weren't ready to lose this
house over the small stuff.
But, half way through
this
inspection, I heard something that I've never heard before during an
inspection, especially one on a vacant home. Knock, Knock,
Knock was
the sound that came from the front door. I looked at the buyer and the
inspector and asked if they were expecting anyone and neither were, so
I decided to go answer the door and see who was there.
Much to
my surprise, there was this young couple, maybe 25 years old standing
there. I asked if I could help them. They said "Yes, we
see from your
car that you are a Realtor, that is your car right?" I said "Yes, it
is, but how can I help?" They said "We have been driving around for an
hour looking at homes and the one next door is one that peeks our
interest a little and we would like to see it.
Now, I couldn't
believe what I was hearing, I do have to admit I've dreamed of buyers
finding me like this, but not in the middle of an
inspection and not
when I'm with another client of mine. I told them I was in the middle
of an inspection and my client was here and I couldn't leave at this
time. I said "We will be done in about an hour and if you want, I can
take your number and give you a call and show you the home then. Would
that be alright?"
Now, they said "NO, we
will find someone else"
WOW! OK. At first I thought this was the greatest gift of the day,
but
I quickly found out that even if I could have shown the home at that
moment, these aren't the type of clients I would work with in the first
place. You see I value my time and my clients time. Clearly this young
couple didn't, they wanted me to drop my present client and what I was
doing to help them this second.
In this business we need
to set
boundaries for ourselves and this couple wanted me to cross one. I
wasn't going to do that and I feel sorry for the agent that does get
them as clients because they clearly aren't going to be able to work
with anyone else but this client or they will lose them to someone else
who does have the time to show them homes at the drop of a hat.
I
respect my buyers and I expect them to respect me in return.
When I am
with them, they are the only clients I have. But, when they want to see
something or need a question asked, all I ask is they respect my time
as well and understand that they may not get an answer at that exact
moment, I may not be available.
Todd Clark - Broker / Sales Coach
Palazzo Realty Group
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Tigard OR homes for sale, homes for sale in zip code, 97223,97224, Tigard Oregon Realtor, Tigard OR Realtor, Tigard Oregon MLS Search, Tigard OR MLS Search, 1st time home buying expert, short sale expert, avoiding foreclosure in Tigard, helping families home, LivingBeaverton, Townhomes for sale, home for sale, house for sale, Bull Mountain North, Bull Mountain South, King City, Mountainview, Greenburg, Summer Lake Neighborhood, Summerfield neighborhood, Tigard neighborhood, Walnut Grove Neighborhood. Tigard Oregon Real Estate, Tigard OR real estate, Todd Clark, (503)524-9494, WWW.LivingTigard.com, www.IFoundYourNewHome.com, www.SavingyouFromForeclosure.com
©2009 Todd Clark - Knock, Knock, Knock and other things you don't expect to hear half way through an inspection
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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Todd, I think your self respect and boundaries are much more important than these flaky clients. Good for you.
I love this line "I respect my buyers and I expect them to respect me in return. When I am with them, they are the only clients I have. But, when they want to see something or need a question asked, all I ask is they respect my time as well and understand that they may not get an answer at that exact moment, I may not be available." Beautifully put - would be nice if it were always so.
I'm so glad that you did not drop everything and jump throught hoops to take care of those buyers. As I was reading the story, I felt a little nervous about how it was going to end.
People can be tough, but we don't have to allow them to mistreat us.
Thanks for setting a great example.
Todd, It's far better to find this out early on than later in the process when you have invested so much more of you time.
Great job. Chances are they would have been abusive and disrespectful as you expect. In the worst case scenario, you knew nothing about them and it could have been dangerous for you.
Gosh, 30 minutes would have been just enough time for them to get you a pre approval letter. You did the right thing by treating your clients with the respect that they deserve. To abandon them would have been rude and ultimately a waste of time.
Hi Todd,
Thank you for a great post. You did the right thing.
John Pusa
R-E-S-P-E-C-T... Find out what it means to me! Aretha had it right!
Todd,
You've got to love the people business!
Bill
Agreed, they were opportunists who probably have someone to write the offer who is too busy to show them or they just can't wait a minute for them to show up...sometimes it's a crazy business.
You handled that situation perfectly. Clearly, that couple were tire kickers and know nothing about real estate representation. Learning how to read people in seconds will save hours in wasted time.
You did the right thing. If I have referrals in your area I will refer them to you.
Todd,
Good for you. After all, I don't their main interest was in you, it was in your key. Abandoning your real client for these tire kickers would have been the wrong thing to do.
Rich
Really good point. I have been in this exact type scenario and had to make the same choice.
Good stuff. I've come across young buyers/couples and sadly this is how they are sometimes. Some people grow up feeling that the world owes them, or that they are the only client you should have. I used to work with an agent that felt the same way! ;)
A bird in the hand...even if they did eventually put an offer on a house with you, what message would you have been sending ot your real-live buyers? Also, I wonder how the walk-ins would feel if the exact thing happened to them while on an inspection with you. Empathy, baby. Empathy.
Boundaries! I love setting boundaries! Glad to hear you have them, too! Great job Todd!
Todd, The right now generation is used to getting what they want...or at the very least immediate attention, they feel entitled as consumers to be service when they decide what they want.
Todd - I would not have expected a different answer from you. When I'm with a client, my client has my full attention, like he or she is the only client I have. A very catchy title - I expected something different coming out of the inspection itself.
Todd, I frequently write posts on setting boundaries for yourself and then not letting others invade them. This is a perfect example. Had you dropped everything or rushed your current clients along, you would weakened your relationship with the them as well as let the intruders take control of the relationship with you. You made the best choice.
Todd, people who treat us like a waiter should be introduced to the bouncer. Well done and well said.
Unlike a number of agents, I'm not generally available on a cellphone. That sets boundaries and when I'm with a client they appreciate that I am not on the phone.
Todd:
It's been my experience that people who want things done for them immediately are not worth the bother.
Their leaving was your greatest gift of the day.
Todd~
I can think of the EXTREME patience I have learned over the years dealing with the public...!
I can tell from the first conversations, how it's going to be!
Great story, Todd, and your approach to the situation was on the mark.
Todd:
They are young and probably accustomed to being instantly catered to. They will have to learn that buying a home is process that requires some time and effort and not just a knock on the door. I think you spared yourself some grief by not dealing with them.
Todd,
Way to take care of your client! You will probably receive more business in referrals from the client that you continued to serve rather than jumping over to the new couple. Best of luck!
Todd - I didn't see that one coming. I'm surprised they didn't contact the listing agent, if they were that anxious to get inside. There are some people that just have absolutely no clue.
It's just amazing that people can be so disrepectful and just plain rude and inconsiderate. These people most likely would not be people that would make it through the negotiation process to get a home purchased. Just one more buyer that hasn't gotten the message that it's not all about them.
Todd - It's proof that some folks just think real estate agents are just disposable providers to meet their own conveniences. They were expecting you to just jump through those hoops, right then and there. Have a good weekend with more loyal clients that appreciate your services & profession!
Congratulations on your great decision, Clients like those are never worth it.
You made the right move for many reasons. One of the reasons I left the last firm I was at, is when anyone talks to the boss and his cell rings he answers and you are instantly a nobody. Even tho a cell wasn't involved the same principle applys.
Todd - first off congrats on the inspection. Wonder if those flaky buyers found anyone willing to jump in their car and go show the property. Hmmm, could they even afford it?
Jeff
Quite the situation. It sounds like a need my name on my car. Way to go though. If they were prepared to wait 30 minutes than forget about them. I'll do just about anything in my power to show a house if I'm able but to expect to enter a house immediately is ridiculous. Not to mention if the house would be occupied. Way to stick to your guns with your present clients.
Hi Todd~ I agree with you. They were just looking for the keeper of the keys. It would have been bad to start out on the wrong foot with them anyway. You already had clients depending on you and that is a priority and common courtesy. I say it is best to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Greed never gets in the way that I conduct my business. My ethics, as yours, are how I drive my business forward...
Your friend in Washington State,
Paul
Doing right by your client during the home inspection will definitely go a lot farther with referrals and good press they'll give you, than the knock knock buyers who didn't respect your position.
Hi Todd,
You handled the situation very well. You sent the right message to your client..you respected them and your time for their inspection..the message to the buyer..you are a professional and you would be happy to help them when you are done with other obligations and a message to us that you are a professional that sets boundaries and care about your clients. Congrats on the featured post.
Todd - They weren't looking for Mr. Right...They were looking for Mr. Right NOW. Patience will always be a virtue. I applaude the fact you deflected and resumed your attention to your clients. This is how we foster referrals and enhance our collective image. Cheers
Wow, Todd! Some people are so inconsiderate. I am glad to hear that you took care of your clients...and yourself!!
We now live in a world where everyone can get everything immediately. Cell phones and we can call everyone we want everywhere and any time of day. Internet allows us to look up information from any location and get the answers quickly. If there were in their 20's, then they were raised on immediate gratification. No bog surprise there.
Been there, done that, and said, "CALL THE AGENT ON THE SIGN, THEY WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU."
Goodbye!
Hi Todd,
This is one of those examples where...."If it seems to good to be true, it isn't!"
Good story. An existing client's time (and yours) has to respected. This is basic business manners which those "prospects" just don't have.
Todd ---- good for you that you didn't run out on your client ---but you are right, one does not expect to pick up clients in that fashion.
Wow. Been there though, and you're right. I had some like that and once they told me, if we don't hear from you in 15 minutes to see this house, we're calling someone else. I'd already spent a couple of weeks with them at that point, but I still told them to go right ahead, if they couldn't respect my other clients previous appointments and expect me to drop everything to go running, I wasn't working with them.
I hope they did call the agent and the house had a 24 hour notice required for showings memo. ;)
Todd, You did the right thing by your clients and yourself. I always try to make my clients fell like they are my only focus even though we all know I have other clients that need my attention as well. These buyers obviously are not working with a professional due to there behavior and unrealistic expectations. I hope your clients having the inspection got a little chuckle out of the behavior of the other buyers....
Great story Todd. Thanks for the post. It also goes to show that Realtors can make additional contacts with interested buyers and sellers when they are willing to be present for a home inspection. You never know where your next client may come from.... I recommend that Realtors meet their clients at the home inspection if only for a few minutes. It amazes me how many do not want to assist their client by attending at least a few minutes of the inspection.
However, in the case where the new client "demands" your time, now, you did the right thing. Good call....
Hi Todd,
You had the opportunity for a suspect to find you AND they did your pre-qualification for you. Most times, it takes a little more effort then this to weed out people who do not merit our work.
Simply, good for you.
Todd, It's all about determining who you want as your clients. Way to hold up your values and take care of your "real" client. All the best, Mcihelle
Todd,
Without a doubt you did the right thing.
Amen. Set your boundaries. #1 should be whoever I am with right now, is the most important (whether it's a client, my son, my husband, etc).
An appointment with that person precedes the new buyer. No doubt.
If they won't wait, well then shame on them.
Todd me thinks this couple made better blog fodder than clients:)
Todd...are you certain that this couple was not a long lost relative in my heritage. Where do these folks get off thinking that this is appropriate behavior. Anyway, GOOD FOR YOU TODD.
You Tell them straight and true.
One last question: were they, or least one of them, texting or on their cell.? LOL
Barb & Sal
Todd - It blows my mind when people think we can drop everything and open a door for them. Not to mention expect the seller to let us in with no appointment or notice.
It appears you handled the situation the right way. You juet never know what' s going to happen or who you'll see when you answer the door! ha....
Patricia/Seacoast NH
Respect is a two way street, and it's important that all parties show it towards one another. Besides, it just makes everything so much easier and more pleasant.
Todd -- I definately think you made the right decision even if they had not been flaky and rude. Had they been potential clients that were looking for a respectable person to represent them they would have appreciated the way you responded and gone to lunch, for coffee or drove around and found other potentials they would like to see. Either way I am sure the client you were with appreciated the fact that you were not leaving them just to potentially make another buck. --Krystal