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Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Once I have digested it; considered the options, so I am better able to help my client understand the issue and their choices. Then I call.

May 27, 2015 10:15 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

as soon as possible....the agent is not the problem...most agents don't like relaying bad news because they feel they will be blamed.... the problem is not our problem or the seller's problem...it's a problem with the deal and we need to see if we can resolve it....

May 27, 2015 10:29 PM
Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

As early as you can and sandwiched between something positive if possible.

May 27, 2015 07:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,836
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I think about the situation, take a deep breath and contact them. 

May 27, 2015 11:28 PM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

30 minutes after taking a Prozac.

May 27, 2015 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,235
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I share bad news when I can also offer a solution. I like to work the problem before I present it, if the situation allows. I hate saying: "here's a problem". I prefer: "here's a problem, but here's what we can do to solve it or here's what I've initiated to work it out for you."

I recently was faced with this question. My clients left for Italy 10 days ago and returned 2 days ago. While they were gone, their appraisal came back LOW! I chose to not tell them on their vacation, to wait until they returned, as only the listing agent, lender & I could do something about this, why ruin their trip? They couldn't do anything to fix it, they'd just worry.

I was willing to make that executive decision and stood by it. So we went to work on it. When they returned we shared the appraisal and our formal challenge we filed. They were upset at the news, but more than grateful I chose to protect their vacation. They thanked me despite the bad news.

May 27, 2015 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

When bad news is discovered. the first action of the professional is to:

1. Assess the risk and consequences to their client.

2. List the solutions, workarounds, options available

3. Present the 'bad news' along with the available solutions, if any.

May 27, 2015 09:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Joe,

ASAP.  It makes no sense to sit and wait to tell someone something, unless they are in the middle of an emergency themselves. A

May 28, 2015 01:09 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

The sooner the better seems to work best.

May 27, 2015 10:31 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

ASAP!

May 27, 2015 10:10 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

ASAP.  Why deny the obvious?

May 27, 2015 09:21 PM
Rainer
93,088
Cassandra V
Cypress, TX

As soon as you recieve the bad news, sometimes they need to sleep on the news to make a decision.

May 27, 2015 09:21 PM
Rainmaker
846,475
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

I never press the snooze button on this subject-the sooner the better. Then you have more time to correct or over come the problem and it doesn't grow worse.

May 27, 2015 08:30 PM
Rainer
274,059
Curtis Evans
Cabin Realty LLC/ USA, Licensed in Louisiana - Golden Meadow, LA

As soon as possible, it helps free your mind.

May 27, 2015 07:08 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good morning Joe. LOL, I do not think that there is ever a good time to share bad news. Maybe after downing 4 fingers of Jack?

May 27, 2015 07:08 PM
Rainer
2,270
scott franklin
Louisville, KY

right away....get the bad news over with, then focus on positive solutions

May 28, 2015 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I second Barbara Todaro and Susan Emo 's answers, but qualify it with "never late at night".  Save late-breaking bad news until the morning if it comes much after dinner time. People tent to spiral into excessive worry that makes for a bad night's sleep and excessive concerns that have to be countered by the agent the next day.

May 28, 2015 04:21 AM
Ambassador
1,076,541
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

I'm with Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI .  Once I know if there are any options available, I present any bad news to people.  No use waiting around or delaying the inevitable.  I've also found that when you pose problems to people, some people are very good at coming up with solutions - the faster you can get started on a solution the better.

May 28, 2015 04:17 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

I agree with my colleauges who say to analyze the situation first before letting a client know. If you call right away and the client says "how do we fix this?" and you don't know or have anything to back it up, that conversation will nt end well.

May 28, 2015 02:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,881
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Joe -- as soon as possible after we have an opportunity to assess the situation. We are typically the messengers of the news. When appropriate we should also have some available options for them to consider.  

May 28, 2015 01:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do it as soon as I can. I often suggest a plan B.

May 27, 2015 11:07 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Joe Petrowsky Immediately! News only gets worse, if held back. Bad or unpleasant news should also be resolved right away so the issue(s) can be put behind and move towards a successful transaction.

May 27, 2015 11:02 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Immediately!

May 27, 2015 10:41 PM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

IMHO there is no "good" time.  

May 27, 2015 09:38 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Norm nailed this one!

Jan 28, 2018 04:57 AM
Rainmaker
815,995
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Sometimes I would wait a day just to think about the proper way to deliver the message. It was almost always by phone. I didn't want to email or text them and soemtimes it wasn't convenient to see them in person.

May 28, 2015 07:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

As early as possible. Agents seomtime procrastinate and that typically makes the news even worse and your reputation can be tarnished.

May 28, 2015 07:04 AM
Ambassador
3,854,786
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Immediately. If it's bad news, it probably will not get any better with more time.

May 28, 2015 06:41 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Obviously it depends on the bad news and when you get it. I don't like to transmit bad news until I have given some thought to corrective measures, which I can present at the same time. But in general, it should be shared without undue delay.

May 28, 2015 06:09 AM
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

The sooner the better, once I've understood the information and have come up with some possible alternatives.

May 28, 2015 05:53 AM
Rainmaker
1,291,481
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Problems need to be acknowledged as quickly as possible.  With no drama, but delivered with options (if they are to be found).  Nothing ticks people off faster than to delay the delivery of news of this kind ...

Gene 

May 28, 2015 04:27 AM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

Over drinks and after you have a plan of action.  

May 28, 2015 12:34 AM