An offer came in on one of our listings and I called the seller to set up a time to review it with them. The first response from the seller struck me as sort of odd,
I sure hope it isn't from Realtor XYZ!" (Name changed for obvious reasons)
"Uh... Why do you ask?" I meekly queried.
"Because he sat and badmouthed our house for over 10 minutes the other day and then he recommended that his clients write a lowball offer. That's why!"
The listing reads, "Surveillance cameras not included in the purchase" and most smart agents would assume that means that they are installed and active. I guess Realtor XYZ isn't that smart and it seems that he sat right under one of the cameras (they have audio surveillance too) and had a very frank discussion with his clients about how he would negotiate an offer.
He talked about how they should ask for new flooring, ask to have the floors in a shop raised, and make a "lowball offer." Then, if the offer was accepted, they would know that the sellers are committed and they could delay the inspection long enough to ask for "everything to be repaired" at the last minute. They were certain that they would have the sellers between a rock and hard place and they would be forced to make any and all repairs.
The plan was so stupid that it was comical and the fact that it was caught on tape was hilarious! Lucky for everyone the offer came from a different agent with another set of buyers.
Mark Hall
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Interesting blog! As far as I know I'v'e never been recorded by a surveillance camera in a home. Although with computers these days, it is very possible since many time they are left on, and many laptops have a camera built in.
Usually, when you are showing a property you feel safe enough to discuss anything with your clients about a home, etc.
If I was the seller, I would make a copy of the tape & send it to his/her Broker. Then tell his/her Broker and my that the Agent is not welcome on my property.
funny! It's great that it was caught on tape! He should be sent a copy!
Hmmmm, it does make one pause.....
It's one thing to counsel a buyer on how to make an offer but personally I hate to work with agents that teach their clients to play games with the seller. I'm not sure I would even want her showing my listings. Certainly that story would be told to any of my clients who receive an offer from her.
I love it! Oh, to be the fly on the wall during showings of my listings...
Wow - talk about a big oops for that agent! I think it's always best not to discuss negotiating strategies while still in the house in question - just in case! And I can sure see why that seller would prefer not to even get an offer from that agent....
I guess this agent also can't add. Couldn't put two and two together.
thats so funny! you should You Tube it and send it to him :)
Too funny Mark! They should just be happy they got an offer!
Some buyers expect their agent to act like this. I worked with such a buyer for a week. He kept asking how I would get a seller to accept his lowball offer. I explained to him that I only wanted to help him buy a house he wanted to own. I didn't feel that carnage was a necessary means to that end, and we parted ways.
That agent is dumb, I never, ever talk about how to put an offer on a house while in the house or in the driveway, you never know who is listening or watching.
In this day of "nanny cams" and the like, it is something we should all heed... watch what we say and where we say it...