Firing a Client

[dejaniera]

Mornin' Soulsters!

I have a question: 

Have any of you ever fired a client?  Allow me to give you the short version.

I have a client, relative of an associate-- house on the market prior for about a year, listed by the clients aunt.  House never sold..pricing was the reason due to my research. 

Now property is listed with me.  House is occupied by clients mother who has a problem with me listing the house due to her relationship with the prior agent. (the prior agent is her sister)

The client requested that showing instructions call for the showing desk to call her to make appointments for any showings.  She responds sometimes, sometimes not.  It's always a crap shoot with her.  She has ready missed two showings because her nonresponsive attitude on both her and her mothers part. 

Last straw...showing desk called me this morning not sure what to do.  She has been trying to contact the owner since yesterday with no response for an appointment today. 

I got in touch with the occupant this morning who stated today was not a good day to show property due to her having a cold and she was still in bed.  Mind you these folks have not begn to pack yet.  I think they are sabatoging the possible of the house.  I'm sick of them and I want to get rid of them. 

Should I just leave this listing or continue to push on?

De'Janiera

[Chuck Capan]

I would recommend talking to your CLIENT.  Get all the written documentation you can gather...set up a timeline of events. I would not toss this one overboard...yet.  Be sure to get your broker-manager up to speed on this situation.

 It is possible the mother truly is sick.

[Jennifer Allan]

Yep, talk to the client first - although it sounds as if the client is as bad as the mother.

If the situation doesn't improve, I"d let it go. I don't do tenant-occupied properties, for this, and lots of other reasons. Just not worth it.

But I guess I should ask... is the property sellable (and close-able) if you can get enough showings?

[Susan Haughton]

De'Janiera.

Agree with previous answers, however, I'm in this business to have fun and make a little money, not to waste time, get stressed, lose money or more importantly, lose time.  Consequently, I don't want any client that puts up too much of a fight in allowing me to do my job. People or situations sucking my energy are not worth it; in fact, I would argue some business is worse than no business because while you are dealing with these clearly unmotivated clients, you could be doing more positive things, leading to more business -- and better business!

I would talk to the client, yes, but it would be more of a "hey, I'm outta here unless you are going to ship up" sort of talk - approached most SOULFULLY, of course!  Being soulful doesn't mean rolling over and sometimes you gotta bring out the tough love approach. Good luck and keep us posted. 

[dejaniera]

Hello Soul-ful folks...

Thanks for all your responses...yes, Jennifer, the home is sellable/closeable.  And I have talked to the client in the most soulful way possible.  I told her that if she really wants the home sold, then she should have her mother (occupant) be as flexible as possible.  Perhaps even convince her mother to start packing (which she has not done at all). 

I do have a time line set up due to the fact that this is the 3rd time a showing has been cancelled or postponed due to issues and non responsiveness. 

I have even asked the mother (occupant) is she wanted to make an offer to purchase the home and she stated she had no intentions on purchasing the home...if this is the case, why sabotage the efforts...?

The property is being shown today...I think/hope and I will follow up with the Realtor for feedback.  I will keep you posted family!

De'Janiera

[dejaniera]

UPDATE...THIS JUST IN...UPDATE...THIS JUST IN!![/glow][/color]

...Remember I told you guys that the property was to be shown today....?

I called the Realtor to followup and obtain feedback...Well, the owner/occupant was not at home or just did not answer the door!!!  UGGGGGGG!!!

Here is what I will SOULFULLY suggest: 

I will suggest to my client to take the property off the market and allow her mother to move out.  Once this happens, I will gladly re-list the vacant property.

My name has been dragged through the mud long enough!   

[Jennifer Allan]

AMEN Sister.

This is not acceptable. Be nice about it, but confident.

[dejaniera]

Oh I'm confident--no doubt about that...the house will be off the market today until the occupant moves out!  I have informed the client.  Her response ***crickets***


De'Janiera

[Jennifer Allan]

So... so.... so??

What's happening???

[dejaniera]

Jennifer...my client really didn't have much to say.  I went over with her the incidents were realtors would try to gain access to show their buyers and also the incidences where the showing desk would contact her, leave a message and she would never return the call. 

I removed my sign...offered to re-list only if the house if vacant, removed my sign, wished her luck, hopped in my car and and drove away.  I feel no remorse for what I did...actually, I feel a little empowered!!

[Chuck Capan]

Cool...stay away from the "Energy Vampires"

[Susan Haughton]

   GOOD FOR YOU!!!  Ithink you made absolutely the right decision.  Upward and onward to the next deal!

[Carol Kerr]

You go girl! 

I wish I would've had the nerve to do just that to a client a couple of years ago.  Very similar situation to yours only the foundation was cracked and I suspect rats had moved in to boot!  I'll spare all the gory details, but when I asked my broker if I could fire a client they recommend that I quietly let the listing expire.  Being relatively new I did.  In retrospect I wish I would've had your courage to do what I knew was the right thing.

Congrats on soulfully saving your sanity while being honest with your client!  Onward to the Holidays!