An e-mail to a perpetual shopper
This is an excerpt of an email response that I sent to a good man who just can’t find his home, and may not actually want to find it.
You cannot chase a feeling. They do not bear being chased. A goal should be pursued, but the serendipity of a feeling associated with that goal cannot be forced, and the hoped for emotions may not necessarily coincide once the goal is achieved.
I would agree that God’s will plays a huge factor in home purchases and sales. I have seen homes sell that have no business selling and homes that are killer deals NOT sell because it was not the right time for the sellers. I do have several interesting stories, but I will try to avoid being so presumptuous as to assume that I know all the reasons.
You should know that it is perfectly natural for criteria to change throughout a search. That is not a problem it is part of the process. I have helped many clients decide not to buy at a certain time– that is just part of the business. Progress is made by making a series of decisions and commitments in finding a property, just like it is in life. My job is to help people reach those decisions with their lives intact.
As to the actions of agents, I would agree with you that many merit a huge “No confidence” vote. Unfortunately my business is littered with people who should not be trusted with your confidence. You have dealt with many. You get the automated searches which are easy to set up and go on forever if you don’t stop them. There is a high likelihood that the agents that send those have forgotten about you. On the other hand, there are the persistent souls who follow-up even when told to go away. I like to think I am different, but am certain that at times I fallen into both camps.
A few facts about real estate agents
When everything is considered you, and any qualified and motivated buyer, should interview several agents, select one, and be faithful to that agent as long as they are faithful to you. A good agent will suffer through the process with you. They will not dedicate every waking hour to you, because that is impossible, but if they know that you will use them when a purchase is made they will consistently seek out properties for your evaluation and prepare you in every way to make a good decision. When that property is located, they will negotiate the best possible price, help you evaluate the condition of the property, determine the manner in which repairs should be completed, negotiate the repairs or compensation, direct you to other competent professionals, and guide you through the minefields of the transaction with as little injury (both psychic and financial) as possible.
An agent only gets paid when a transaction closes. As a result, the buyers who have selected an exclusive agent get first priority. Finding new buyers who are likely to sign an exclusive agreement become the next priority. Finally the buyers who are qualified and motivated, but will not sign an agreement may get an occasional call. The reason these buyers are the last priority is because they are not committed to you, and their intention often is to go around the agent and attempt to cut the agent out of any deal they make. I have even had this occur with close family members! The other challenge is that as an agent you are creating what is referred to as “Implied Agency” which has been vigorously objected to by the state and is considered by many to be an illegitimate, if not illegal, method of operating as a real estate agent.
No agent can consistently find properties for you on the basis of being “used” if they are the first agent to bring you the opportunity. As an agent you are basically playing a dangerous lottery game with your family’s finances if you allocate time to these buyers.
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Sincerely,
Mike Burns
m. 801-836-6683
F. 801-406-0170