Once I have digested it; considered the options, so I am better able to help my client understand the issue and their choices. Then I call.

as soon as possible....the agent is not the problem...most agents don't like relaying bad news because they feel they will be blamed.... the problem is not our problem or the seller's problem...it's a problem with the deal and we need to see if we can resolve it....

As early as you can and sandwiched between something positive if possible.

I think about the situation, take a deep breath and contact them. 

30 minutes after taking a Prozac.

I share bad news when I can also offer a solution. I like to work the problem before I present it, if the situation allows. I hate saying: "here's a problem". I prefer: "here's a problem, but here's what we can do to solve it or here's what I've initiated to work it out for you."

I recently was faced with this question. My clients left for Italy 10 days ago and returned 2 days ago. While they were gone, their appraisal came back LOW! I chose to not tell them on their vacation, to wait until they returned, as only the listing agent, lender & I could do something about this, why ruin their trip? They couldn't do anything to fix it, they'd just worry.

I was willing to make that executive decision and stood by it. So we went to work on it. When they returned we shared the appraisal and our formal challenge we filed. They were upset at the news, but more than grateful I chose to protect their vacation. They thanked me despite the bad news.

When bad news is discovered. the first action of the professional is to:

1. Assess the risk and consequences to their client.

2. List the solutions, workarounds, options available

3. Present the 'bad news' along with the available solutions, if any.

Joe,

ASAP.  It makes no sense to sit and wait to tell someone something, unless they are in the middle of an emergency themselves. A

The sooner the better seems to work best.

ASAP!

ASAP.  Why deny the obvious?

As soon as you recieve the bad news, sometimes they need to sleep on the news to make a decision.

I never press the snooze button on this subject-the sooner the better. Then you have more time to correct or over come the problem and it doesn't grow worse.

As soon as possible, it helps free your mind.

Good morning Joe. LOL, I do not think that there is ever a good time to share bad news. Maybe after downing 4 fingers of Jack?

right away....get the bad news over with, then focus on positive solutions

I second Barbara Todaro and Susan Emo 's answers, but qualify it with "never late at night".  Save late-breaking bad news until the morning if it comes much after dinner time. People tent to spiral into excessive worry that makes for a bad night's sleep and excessive concerns that have to be countered by the agent the next day.

I'm with Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI .  Once I know if there are any options available, I present any bad news to people.  No use waiting around or delaying the inevitable.  I've also found that when you pose problems to people, some people are very good at coming up with solutions - the faster you can get started on a solution the better.

I agree with my colleauges who say to analyze the situation first before letting a client know. If you call right away and the client says "how do we fix this?" and you don't know or have anything to back it up, that conversation will nt end well.

Hi Joe -- as soon as possible after we have an opportunity to assess the situation. We are typically the messengers of the news. When appropriate we should also have some available options for them to consider.  

I do it as soon as I can. I often suggest a plan B.

Joe Petrowsky Immediately! News only gets worse, if held back. Bad or unpleasant news should also be resolved right away so the issue(s) can be put behind and move towards a successful transaction.

Immediately!

IMHO there is no "good" time.  

Norm nailed this one!

Sometimes I would wait a day just to think about the proper way to deliver the message. It was almost always by phone. I didn't want to email or text them and soemtimes it wasn't convenient to see them in person.

As early as possible. Agents seomtime procrastinate and that typically makes the news even worse and your reputation can be tarnished.

Immediately. If it's bad news, it probably will not get any better with more time.

Obviously it depends on the bad news and when you get it. I don't like to transmit bad news until I have given some thought to corrective measures, which I can present at the same time. But in general, it should be shared without undue delay.

Problems need to be acknowledged as quickly as possible.  With no drama, but delivered with options (if they are to be found).  Nothing ticks people off faster than to delay the delivery of news of this kind ...

Gene 

Over drinks and after you have a plan of action.