10 tips you must use for working with those occasional "difficult" clients!

Ok, without further fanfare.....

1. Be Proactive. Think of all the objections you can, and have an answer before you are asked
2. Be Reactive. Call that difficult client back first. This solves two problems: It gets that task off your to do list, and makes the client feel like a priority
3. Go the extra mile- even when you don't want to!
4. Practice patience.
5. Be slow to anger. Remember it is not a personal attack
6. Ask the client for input in every step of the process, Make them feel valued.
7. Take up smoking (OK, not really)
8. Ask the client for solutions when problems arise...
9. Refuse to take a listing! You know fairly quickly if it is going to be a stinker!
10. Be willing to drop a client if all else fails! Your sanity is worth it! FIRE YOURSELF!!!!

My first listing in the business three years ago was a crash course, I fondly look back at it as my "Difficult Client 101 course".I took an overpriced listing on a four bedroom home in a local neighborhood. This was after the homeowner waffled about doing FSBO... I was so excited to get the listing and went all out. Taking pictures, making a home book, welcome signs, the Perfect Flyer, and making sure the MLS was spot on!

My client fancied himself as a contractor. He had replaced several floor surfaces and counters in the home with a mismatched mess of carpet, tile, hardwoods and granite tiles. EVERYONE who toured the home during broker's opens and public open houses commented on the uncomfortable feel of the home. It just did not flow, many thought. As a new agent, how was I to tell "Mr. Handyman" that his home remodel was a mess?

Well, after a Broker's Open where I handed out envelopes of cash, cookies, sandwiches, and flyers, and a few months of little activity, I asked for a price reduction. Oh, did I mention the green water mosquito filled above ground swimming pool in the back yard? The seller did not want to reduce the price more than $500 dollars! A month later, my client was "drunk dialing" me at midnight, complaining about my service and lack of salesmanship to sell his home.

I was so stressed out, thinking I was doing 110% to sell this home and my wife stopped me. She asked me my I was giving so much time and attention to this "black hole" of a house that was not going to sell at that high price, and it that terrible condition. She was right. I called my client that day and FIRED MYSELF!!!!!!!

Man what a relief. I looked a few months later and that house was back on the market AT THE SAME PRICE and sitting. At least it was not my envelopes of cash this time!!!

I now know that we are professionals, and, as such, do not accept overpriced listings or extremely difficult clients....but if you do..............follow these rules!!!!