"Don't Let Me Down"

Deflated, disappointed, sad, angry, and frustrated. These are just some of the feelings Realtors feel when buyers over promise and under deliver.

Every once in a while a customer changes their mind and decides not put that offer in, or decides to use another Realtor after spending weeks or even months working with you.

Simply put, that's the business. You learn to live with it. Or do you? The question is, how do you protect yourself? I know the buyer's broker agreement is a good vehicle but most buyers feel uncomfortable signing one. Agents should get into the habit of at least asking the buyer if they would consider signing one before going out to see properties.

Sure, are there exceptions to the rule for not getting one signed, no, (I know you thought I was going to say yes). Do we make exceptions to the rule for not getting one signed, unfortunately yes we do. That's when, not the buyer burns us, but rather we burn ourselves. I know it's uncomfortable. I, myself, hardly ever use such an agreement, but now I know better.

So, what's the best way to determine if you should ask a buyer to sign one? The simple answer is that there is no simple answer. I'm sure every realtor does it differently.

Here, however, are a few things to consider before working with a customer who won't sign a Buyer's Broker agreement. First, try to determine how long you think it will take to find that buyer a house. In this market it can take quite a while, especially if your buyer is not a cash buyer.

Also a good determinant is to figure out how many areas do you plan on visiting. Does the buyer know what they want, or where they specifically want to live? If not, then you can be in for a long haul.

Of course there are many more ways to help determine who is worth working with, but like I mentioned earlier, there is no simple answer on how to do it the best way.

In closing, the "Let Down" may be part of the business, but your dissapointment can be lessened if you don't "Let Down" your guard.

Thanks for reading!

Aaron Glassman, Broker/Owner
A-1 Realty Group, Inc.
YourSouthFloridaRealtor@gmail.com

P.S. If you have any good ideas on how to screen buyers, feel free to let me know. I'll be happy to post your thoughts and share them with the rest of the World.

***Photo taken of Molly at Tweetsie Railroad, Summer '09. A cap gun went off and scared her.