The tone of the call from the attorney’s office was near panic: "Can you PLEASE have your client contact us right away?"
I would love to do just that. Unfortunately, the buyer has stopped all forms of communication with us. They will not answer our calls, nor will they respond to our emails or texts.
It is frustrating and totally unnecessary behavior. No matter what the problem is, no matter how embarrassing the situation, no matter how dire the circumstances are we, as your agents, NEED to know the truth.
If you are not going to close for any reason, tell us. If you need more time, tell us. If you are ill, tell us. If you are getting a divorce, tell us. If you have simply changed your mind, just tell us!
Anxiety is best combated with truth. Adversity is diminished with communication of the facts.
Please help us help you. After all, that’s our job.
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I have had property management clients do this and I am now getting his/her e-mail as well as his/her cels and work #s....I want as MANY routes as possible for my communications to REACH clients.
Richard.....that happened to one of our agents....he was the selling agent....his buyer fell off the face of the earth after signing an offer to purchase....literally disappeared!!! the listing agent was from another office and decided to put the house back on the market and she put it under agreement again....well, the first buyer surfaced a few days before his closing and was ready to close with cash!!! he closed and the listing agent was sued by the second buyer for selling them a home that was under agreement!!!!! how do you like that story????
Richard, have you tried to visit with them at their home or office? It would be a good idea to find out if they are physically prevented from communicating with you. Of course if they were only a prospect a personal visit might not be advisable but if they are a client under contract it would be most advisable.
Bill
I hate it when that happens. But you learn to just say NEXT and park the file. That is unless you HAVE to have paperwork signed. Then it can become a huge headache.
It would be nice if we could cash the earnest money check for the work we put in!
No dog in the hunt Richard. Can't relate...
Only once did this happen to me- the Buyer disappeared 2 days before closing, not returning calls from me, lender or title company. Sellers had already taken the kids out of school and left the state. A week or so after scheduled closing, the Buyer calls and WANTS HER EARNEST MONEY BACK!!!!
This has been happening more and more often. Buyers going under contract and then disappearing. Must be something in the air.
Wow, I have never had this happen to me (and I am hoping it won't, obviously) but unless the buyer is lying in a coma somewhere, there is no excuse for causing so much anxiety for so many folks.
Richard,
I wish I could say its a rare occurrence, but I've heard it happening more than once. I don't understand the behavior.
Rich
You can just never anticipatewhat some people will do. Many are just completely inconsiderate of others. If they would just communicate, then problems could be solved or at least known about.
Personalities and demeanor are all over the board. What goes through people's minds to destroy a house because they had to file for bankruptcy or have to give the house back because of foreclosure? It is just another hat we have to wear of the 100's we already do, psychologically speaking.
Richard, haven't heard this happening, and so scary...why can't people just be honest with their agents. I love you last sentence.. Please help us help you. After all, that's our job.
For the company I started with, the Buyers disappeared and then came back 3 years later to try and claim their Earnest money!
Pretty frustrating I have to say. These days I am not surprised by anything and extremely skeptical of things making it to the closing table. Bad way to feel but.....
Richard,
Great Topic. It is definitely frustrating losing communication either with clients. I think it is important to let your clients know that communication is extremely important and if anything changes on their end to let you know as soon as possible.
Thanks for sharing,
Matt Naumann
Wallace...
We have all of that ... still no luck, THX
Barbara
That's the makings of a whole new blog! Thanks so much.
Bill...
It would be worth a try ... thanks!
Bob...
A sisnificant amount is going to be forfeited, it seems. Thanks for the comment.
Michael...
Well, I can tell you that it's not a good thing!
Trish...
Now that is unlikely to happen ...isn't it? Thanks for jumping in.
BB...
Earnest money deposits are too small. That's a big part of the problem. Thanks my friend.
Susan...
It's happened to me three times, and they were ALL very nice commissions lost. THX
When people just simply unplug and stop communicating they are exhibiting very selfish behavior. If they'd just stop and think about how many lives they are affecting. There's a lot of people involved in a real estate transaction and most of us, like you, jump right in doing the work and bringing value to the table based on good faith, knowing we don't get paid until it closes.
I would probably be accused of stalking because I would go to their home or office to get the answers.
Yikes, I think I'd be at their house or office too (if it went on more than a few days).
Barbara: What a horrible nightmare! I certainly hope that never happens to me! That scares the pants right off of me.
Think of all the legal ramifications!
Coming to you from Texas,,,
you're right....the listing agent was a fool.....we closed and collected our commission.....that error cost her company a bundle!! and she was the manager....foolish.
It's scary isn't it? Do you ever wonder what they do in their personal and professional lives?
Wow, I can't imagine that happening. I've had an out-of-town client not show up at our prescribed appointment time - on Memorial Day no less - after having spent the entire weekend previewing. I felt like an idiot, but nothing as serious as being under contract and disappearing. Yikes!
It's amazing how some people just don't understand the meaning of the word "contract".
What a nightmare!! Hopefully you will keep us updated!! If you are like me, first you get mad, then you get worried. Hope you have some resolution!!
I have also had a rash of this immature behavior. I just don't personally understand it. Besides, their attorney will help them do what is right for the circumstances. More people are on their side then they think evidently.
Yes, I have had this happen recently. The strangest one is a buyer who is DUE HER DEPOSIT back. Seller has already signed that buyer can have the money.
Buyer won't return calls or emails.
Sometimes, people do the weirdest think. It is surprising to me when a client thinks it is too scary to communicate. (By the way, awesome picture.)