A person walks in my office at Pape and Danforth…exciting…what would he like to talk to me about?…buying a home, selling a home, investment properties, executive rental?
He says: I really like this area, I want to rent a 1 bedroom apartment.
I say: Great! what is your budget?
Client: $600 a month
Me: well that is a BIT low for this area, maybe we should expand the search area, what other area would you consider?
Client: I also like Yonge/Bloor
Me: There is only one man that could have helped you with your request, but unfortunately he died about 2000 years ago!
Was that wrong for me to say that? Should I have helped him to rent a locker in a condo building and use the bathroom in the gym? Any suggestions?
(-;
Well it seems like some people think that real estate agent have magic powers. Where was that man living before to think he could find something for that price?
…”Magic powers”, I like that Laura!..I’ll add that to my resume. LOL
Educating potential clients about the market is part of a real estate agent’s job. But not all clients are going to be prepared for the truth.
Here’s my suggestion. I would have asked him what he liked about those areas. Get the specifics down so that you could help him find another neighbourhood with those traits. But a place that fits into his budget!
This is funny!
Nevertheless, we could also educate the consumer or client and inform him or her on the average price range of properties on the current market.
It is pretty funny. I laughed out loud. Was it wrong? I do not think so because you were expressing yourself. What did your client do? Did he at least laugh?
I think you should have help him to rent a room within a family home or something. Then again, you do not have magic power.
Sometimes you have to be “brutally honest” with people!
I guess I would have sat him down at the computer, ran what was available in his price range and showed him. He was living in a world that did not exist and he has to see it for himself. What we want and what we can get, may be two very different things. Interesting story.
Thanks for sharing.
Omg that’s so funny! That person must be living in a cave. It would have helped if you explained the price range. Or maybe he was looking to share a 1+1 condo unit with a friend? Even for $600.00 that’s not a lot of commission to go around. Next time you can offer the option of searching for a rental himself online by using craigslist/kijiji. He would have much better luck there.
Sounds like he was clueless about the realities of housing costs. I agree he did need to hear the truth and to know that his $600 was not going to be adequate.
@FlanneryCam, that’s a great suggestion. It might be worthwhile to see if he might be willing to settle for another neighborhood.
@sandyhare, likewise great suggestion. Perhaps a room somewhere in the desired location would be worth it to him.
We never know to what degree people are willing to compromise. But first of all, they do have to face real-estate reality!