The best "money" deal is not always the "best" deal

Many times you run into potential buyers that say: "I want the "best deal possible". "I want to save the most money, get me that $450,000 home for $300,000, $350,000." And while you may find the straggler listing that may be ripe for the taking, it is doing that person an injustice if you don't inform them of what constitutes the "best" deal other then dollars off the list price. If you want to be a yes man or woman, then you take them at face value and tell them what they want to hear. If you are a professional, you sit them down and kindly explain to them that money is not the only factor that goes into the "best" deal. Location, condition, terms of sale (including whether the home is a foreclosure or short sale), which then goes into the element of time, inspections, accepting a property "as-is" and other addendums can turn your 'best" deal on paper into the worst deal in reality. Educating your buyers is key. Don't short change yourself as an agent or your buyers. They'll appreciate your expertise and you only gain by making the stand right away. I don't want to address the potential liability and consequences of not taking the informed approach. I think you can see the pitfalls there.