When I meet a seller for the first time, I make it clear that I am NOT there to “list” their property! I am there to meet them, see their property, point out items and to discuss the market. I never break out the listing contracts or just “assume” I am there to list their home. Have I lost a few listings this way? I’m sure I have. But it’s important to establish a rapport, for them to decide if they want to work with me and likewise, if I want to work for them!
Case in point……a client came to our office years ago to discuss listing his property and announced to me that he would soon become my worst nightmare (chuckle, chuckle). “I see!”, I replied. I reached over to my stack of business cards and wrote a name and phone number on the back and handed it to him. He wanted to know what that was for. I simply said, “Sir, I run a business with many clients and fourteen agents. Perhaps this other agent and company would have more time to deal with nightmares than me. I work very hard to have a transaction close with all parties extremely happy and thankful that I was there to help them and coordinate the deal. It sounds like that isn’t going to happen no matter what I do, so you give that guy a call, as I know he needs the clients.” Needless to say, the gentleman cooled his jets, apologized for the snide remark and we went on to close a very successful transaction and he was very pleased. It’s a two-way street.
In the same fashion, all of my listings are for three months, versus six or twelve like most companies. IF the property is still not under contract after three months and they want to go elsewhere, no problem! If they would want out of the contract within three months due to a change in circumstances or a clashing of personalities, I would do so with no strings attached and release the client completely (but that has never happened!).
I got a call today from an old friend who happened upon an acquaintance that had their home listed through another company and was very unhappy, so he put her on the phone. The list agent was someone she knew. The contract was for six months and she wanted to know if I could help her instead. I questioned her at length and sadly, had to tell her that she could, indeed, withdraw her listing but would most likely not be free to list with anyone else until her listing contract expired.
A reminder………listing contracts are just that, a contract with a beginning date and an “end” date. Should you ask to be released from a listing contract, you most likely will NOT be able to relist with another company until the original contract date runs out, unless you are withdrawn with a “release” from the original listing company.
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