If in Doubt....Don't
In my opinion, 85% of our population is wonderful to work with. Another 10% have some personality flaws. The remaining 5% are simply toxic. Avoid this latter group at all costs. If in doubt… don’t work with them.
Recently, I added a cancellation fee to my listing agreements. It’s boldly printed in red a few lines above the seller’s signature. With the excess listings in our area, it’s not wise to work with sellers who are not ‘serious about selling’ and willing to do what it takes to get the property properly priced and progressively reduced. The cancellation fee is my first litmus test.
Serious sellers who are committed to the process realize a cancellation fee is irrelevant. Tentative homeowners who are willing to move if, “The price is right”, seem to question the commission, cancellation fees, the listing length, use of a key safe, and installing a sign on the property. Don’t work with these people.
Just this morning I cancelled a listing I never should have taken. It was in a million dollar area. The seller was unhappy with this new location that she purchased at the top of the market. Of course, she didn’t want to lose any money despite our soft market. The prior agent lasted 30 days before he cancelled the listing. What the hell was I thinking? That’s right… I wasn’t thinking! There were toxic signs, before, during, and after I salivated over my million dollar property. If in doubt, don’t take the listing.
Forrest Gump said it best: “Stupid is as stupid does”. It is simply stupid to work with toxic people in general. It’s also useless to work with unmotivated, inflexible sellers in a buyers market, and, indecisive buyers in any market.
