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Spirit Messingham, Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900 (Tierra Antigua Realty)

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Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Spirit -- "fire" has a negative connotation but I've separated from my relationship with some clients over the years  One door closes and another opens.   As Barbara Todaro commented, I find swift and efficient to be the best delivery method.

Mar 28, 2015 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

yes, and it was done in record breaking time.... the day I listed the property, I fired the client.... it was only a few hours into the listing... it was the first time anyone dictated to me as if I were their servant.... no thanks.

Mar 28, 2015 04:05 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I really hate to do it, to fire anyone or give up on anyone for that matter.  At the same time, not every one works well with everyone. There are all types of people out there, some more demanding than others.   I have only had to a couple of times, but I try to do it at the very beginning and then I tell them "unfortunatly I am at my max capacity and not able to bring on any new clients right now as I feel it would not be fair to them.  That I would not be able to give them enough of my time and attention they deserve" and ask if I may refer them to another agent that I know can take care of them.  Refer them out.  At the same time when I am "interviewing" for a listing, I am interviewing the sellers as much as they are interviewing me. I have told several no, for various reasons.

I agree with John McCormack, even one bad client can be like a cancer.  It spreads to every aspect of your job.  They can sour your day for all your other clients.  Great answers so far, thank you for taking the time to respond. 

Good luck out there.
Spirit

Mar 28, 2015 12:04 AM
Ambassador
1,076,551
John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Like Michael Jacobs I've come to think the term "firing" comes across the wrong way.  I've told people that due to my business model and my striving to accomodate other clients that I could no longer do business with them.  Can't help everyone

Mar 28, 2015 02:39 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I have politely disconnected and passed clients to another agent a few times. Once because they insisted on not disclosing a known problem and insisted I not reveal any knowledge of it to buyers or their agents. Sorry, but I won't follow those instructions!

Mar 28, 2015 05:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

A few times and I have had some I just let expire and move on. It is unrealistic to believe we will work well with everyone and when you get deep into it you find that you do not want to do business with some people.

Mar 28, 2015 12:13 AM
Rainer
6,334
Theresa Ross-Gordon
@properties - Chicago, IL

Yes, I've had to fire several clients! 

These particular clients insisted they could get more house for the money they had on hand (totally out of their price range). After showing them the range they could afford, they didn't want to hear it.

Mar 27, 2015 11:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Yes twice in 15 years.  Both times it was like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. 

Mar 27, 2015 11:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not like to think of it as firing the client. I have told clients that I will refer them to another agent that works in the area that they are looking at homes if they want to look at homes alll over the region.

Mar 27, 2015 11:43 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

There response to "Show me your money" was some story about a hidden inheritance that they are about to find with the help of the library research sources.

Then came the REBATE ambush by a buyer encouraged by the fish folk.

Now, in the spirit of full disclosure, I have been fired when the simultaneous closing proposed was never going to pass the smell test.

Mar 27, 2015 11:28 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, a few times.  Mostly because they were either dishonest or unrealistic.

Jul 20, 2018 06:36 AM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

Of course.

Mar 21, 2018 09:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Yes, for various reasons and while it is never an easy choice to make, in the long run; we all need to understand that for whatever the reason, it was necessary.

Mar 28, 2015 08:25 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

More than once and with no regrets.

Mar 28, 2015 07:12 AM
Rainmaker
750,057
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

I have. I take the high road and just tell them"I'm not the man for the job".

Mar 28, 2015 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,871
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Yes.

Mar 28, 2015 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

Agreed Debbie Reynolds!

Mar 28, 2015 12:15 AM