Comments on: Is Rudeness a trend?

By: Heidi Alexander

Heidi Alexander — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:05:48 +0000

Yes, I agree with Katie in that I think many Buyers don’t realize how much work goes on behind the scenes in finding them homes to look at. I know when I bought my house (before I was a Realtor) I had no clue how much time and effort was involved! I know better now!
I think along with the Buyer-Broker agreement, the best thing we can do is educate our clients as to how much time and energy is involved for us to represent them, and ask that with the contract, we are only asking for their commitment to us as well. I believe most people will understand once they know a little more about how the industry works.

By: The Butterworth Group » It’s A Great Feeling!

The Butterworth Group » It’s A Great Feeling! — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 04:49:56 +0000

[...] that if you let get to you will wear you down.Â As Chris Butterworth metioned in an earlier post “Is RudenessÂ a trend?”, if looking atÂ his past couple of weeks itÂ appears that rudeness on the part of [...]

By: Katie Kosier

Katie Kosier — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 04:19:05 +0000

I, too, have struggled with asking a potential client to sign a buyer-broker contract. I automatically assume that these potential clients will bolt at the first sign that I am trying to lock them into an agreement, and I would like to think that if they get a taste first of what my service is like then they will be more inclined to agree to the official commitment. Unfortunately, by that time, I usually decide against it because it seems like they have proven themselves loyal to me. I experienced the same situation this past year a few times. However, I have found that it wasn’t a case of disloyalty or dissatisfaction that caused these people to make a purchase without me, it was the naivete on their part of what it means to have a REALTOR represent them. The only thing I can blame that on is myself for not having informed them during our first conversation.

By: Chris Butterworth

Chris Butterworth — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:09:44 +0000

Over the years I’ve had other realtors tell me “you HAVE to use” the buyer-broker contract, but I always felt that giving super-good customer service was enough to keep people’s loyalty. In the last couple of months, though, it hasn’t been the case. It almost seems like you need to have super-good customer service AND a contract… If the carrot doesn’t work, try the stick!

By: Steve Nicks

Steve Nicks — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:29:34 +0000

Chris, I know what you are going through. I too have had the misfortune of loosing a client or two to a new build subdivision, a realtor-friend of theirs who all of a sudden appeared, as well as the occasional no-show at a showing appointment prompted by a sign call or call from our internet advertising. While in North Idaho working as a Realtor there it was very common practice to use a Buyer-Broker Agreement, which made it very clear what our responsiblities to the buyer was as their agent, as well as the buyers responsibility to us as our clients. However, in the Phoenix market it is much more seldomly used. I’ve used them in the past with certain clients and they seem to benefit both parties to the agreement. I am big fan of Buyer-Broker Agreements and plan to make it a practice of mine to implement the formal agreement as well.