Has Your REALTOR® Lost Interest in Working with You?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Successful real estate agents have a reputation for being flexible, even in unusual circumstances. They often work evenings, weekends, and sometimes even holidays! However, these same agents may walk away from a customer for several reasons. Are you giving your agent any of these reasons to think twice about working with you?
1. UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS
If a buyer or seller has unrealistic expectations about the market, home price, or other factors involved in the transaction, an agent may choose not to work with them. This could include the seller’s expectation to sell a property at a price well above market value or a buyer’s expectation to buy a property at a price well below market value.
2. LACK OF RESPECT OR PROFESSIONALISM
If a potential client is consistently rude, dismissive, demanding, or otherwise disrespectful to the agent, this could cause the agent not to want to work with them. Good business relations are always built on mutual respect.
3. NOT SERIOUS ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING
Some people may engage an agent without seriously committing to buying or selling a property. They might be just exploring or “window shopping.” This wastes the agent’s time and money, valuable resources that they could spend with committed clients.
4. COMMUNICATION ISSUES
If a client fails to communicate effectively or in a timely manner, regularly ignores the agent’s calls or emails, or is generally unresponsive, this can make the buying or selling process very difficult and could be a reason for the agent not to work with them. In the case of an offer to purchase, response times are critical, and the agent needs to know that communications will be returned in a timely manner.
5. FINANCIAL INELIGIBILITY
If a potential buyer does not have the financial means to purchase a property, refuses to apply for a mortgage, or consistently looks at properties out of their price range, an agent may be less inclined to work with them to avoid wasted time and resources for all parties.
6. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
If the agent has a personal or professional conflict of interest with the client, they might decide not to work with them to avoid legal issues or ethical dilemmas.
7. RISK OF LIABILITY
In some cases, a property that a client is interested in may have legal issues, disputes, or structural problems that could risk future lawsuits or other liabilities. Real estate agents may avoid such properties to protect themselves and their businesses.
8. LEGAL OR ETHICAL CONCERNS
If a potential client is involved in illegal activities, proposes unethical transactions, or attempts mortgage fraud, the agent will likely choose not to work with them. REALTORS® have legal and ethical obligations; breaching them can result in penalties and severely damage their reputation.
9. UNWILLINGNESS TO TRUST THE AGENT’S EXPERTISE
REALTORS® are professionals with a deep understanding of their respective markets. If a potential client constantly doubts the agent’s expertise or rejects the agent’s advice, the agent might decide that the client isn’t a good fit.
10. CLIENT’S REFUSAL TO USE TECHNOLOGY
Today’s real estate practice involves extensive use of technology, and the refusal to use the technology most clients use could pose a big challenge. Efficient communication using basic technology such as text messaging and email is vital in today’s real estate transactions.
Every real estate agent’s ultimate goal is to help clients successfully buy or sell a property. Still, these factors could impede that process, leading an agent to choose not to engage with a potential buyer or seller.
A good agent will tactfully inform you when one or more of these items may jeopardize the relationship and a transaction itself. Conversely, a great agent will also be receptive to your concerns.
By understanding how some behaviors can negatively affect a professional relationship, you can hopefully avoid them and work together to build trust when buying or selling your next home.
Now that you know some reasons why an agent may walk away from a potential customer, it might be worthwhile also to learn more about how to know if you are working with a good agent by reading this article.