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1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Fire them and make room for one that will respect you, your time and your expertise!  Unless of course, they're difficult because you're not doing your job effectively ???

Jul 08, 2015 11:30 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I rarely have difficult clients, only difficult agents.

If an agent counsels with a client before they try to get their signatures, the client will value their opinion.  Counseling first is how to manage their expectations.

Eve

 

Jul 08, 2015 08:50 PM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

The critical thing here is why work with a client who does not value your time or advise . I say you need to ask yourself why do you want to work with some like this ?  I would say the difficult person here is not the client but you the agent. 

Jul 08, 2015 10:25 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

An experienced real estate professional handles difficult clients almost every day in the normal course of business. They come with the territory.

Jul 08, 2015 09:56 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I try to be patient.  I try to set realistic expecations.  I try to provide a blue print of how the transaction should go.   That being said, there is no pleasing some people.  NOT to make an excuse to deliver anyhing less than 100% to them.  I try, very hard, to weed them out before I allow them to waste my time and resources.  To some degree, it comes with a job like ours, in our industry.

Jul 08, 2015 09:36 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Way too broad  a question...the answer depends upon the paticular 'brand' of of difficult.

Jul 08, 2015 09:30 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Only work with people you respect and who respect you.  

Jul 09, 2015 12:06 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

You're fired!

Jul 08, 2015 11:49 PM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

I would have to agree with Carol, educating your client can solve a lot of problems.

Jul 08, 2015 09:29 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Set expectiations up front.  In your listing and buyer rep agreement include the following:

"client or agent can terminated this agreement at any time for any reason".

Sometimes a good deal is getting out of a bad deal.

Jul 08, 2015 08:37 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It depends what is ''difficult'' for you. I can handle almost any client, yet, some clients do know how to push your buttons. I just do not waste my time on those.

Jul 08, 2015 04:47 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

This is a wide open question. What is the problem? Usually I would walk away from a client like this, but if you are in the middle of a transaction that might be difficult. You have to be a bit more specific. Maybe you should seek a mentor in your office to help you with the questions you have put out here tonight. 

Jul 08, 2015 02:23 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

If someone can't respect my time, then I respectfully inform them that I think it would be best if they are represented by someone else who may be a better fit for them.  I let them know I can assist them with a referral and possibly set that up for them.  No time to deal with someone who fights me all the time.  Life is too short.

Jul 08, 2015 01:53 PM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

complain to my spouse

Jul 08, 2015 12:15 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

I choose who I want to work with. If they do not value my service, I know what the outcome will be. Why would I stick around for the predictable outcome.

Those who choose to line themselves up for abuse are desperate. They have no options, no alternatives except to take the worst clients, the worst real estate, the worst terms.

The way to handle this issue is to analyze what is putting you in this ugly situation and change your efforts so you end up with an abundance of choice.

Then you have the ability to choose who you will work with.

Now, there really are tried and true methods of managing a difficult client. What will work depends on the specific situation. The one you describe, "does not value your time or advise' is completely on you. It is up to you to establish your value early in the relationship. 

So, tell me, exactly what do you bring to the table, without relying on real estate jargon and gobbly gook, that is worthy of a significant piece of the homeowner equity. Answer this question to a layperson, and get them to agree to your value and you will have OVERCOME this issue. 

If you do not truly understand what you bring to the table, no one else will either. Once you confirm you bring nothing to the table...that is not common to every agent, you value is gone, gone, gone, and it not the home owners fault if they pick up on your message. The lack of confidence you exhibit here, using "Anonymous' is revealing.

When you ESTABLISH your value, this problem NEVER surfaces as a point of contention.

Jul 08, 2015 12:06 PM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

What is the difficulty?  Educating the client often solves a lot of problems.

Jul 08, 2015 11:15 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Dump them, it happens everyday. 

Jul 08, 2015 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Great answers you got for your question.

Jun 28, 2019 07:58 PM