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NEKIA CAMPBELL (Weichert, Realtors)

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Rainmaker
2,375,694
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

You need to approach showings as the process of elimination - Neighborhoods first or style of home and price range - and then narrowing in from there and eliminating - Showing homes is not a selection process but an elimination process - when you find the house that meets her needs, you tell her this will be it - because she has eliminated all the others already. 

Mar 25, 2016 11:43 AM
Ambassador
2,684,569
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Tell her you no longer do Property Management.  Refer her to someone else.

Mar 25, 2016 12:03 PM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Well last week I meet with a buyer for the fourth time and it always ends with I going to think about it for a few days.  So this time I asked what I could do to help them decide.  Then it came out exactly what they are concerned about.  Now we are both on the same page and they will be buying the next house we look at together.

Mar 25, 2016 12:50 PM
Rainmaker
2,784,566
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

You just did. Use the proven: The shortest distance betweeen two lines is a straight point dynamic. Say it like it is

Mar 25, 2016 11:51 AM
Rainmaker
5,112,471
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Tell her exactly that very nicely... that whatever she's looking at in future is a variation on the theme of what she's already looked at and that it's time to make a decision.

Mar 25, 2016 10:45 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

When I represent renters, I charge a non-refundable service fee. In the contract are limitations, although generous, to the duration and volume of service provided.

This is a business, not a hobby.

PS: I represent few renters.

Mar 25, 2016 10:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,846,901
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Read back the sentence you wrote into the phone to her ........

Some people don't understand that we don't get paid that much either. They will keep you more busy than a real buyer.

 

I love the renter who says 'My lease is up in July & I want to start looking now'. Yeah sure.

Mar 25, 2016 10:18 PM
Rainmaker
5,239,001
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

You might say, the third time is a charm are you ready to make a decision? The answer will indicate how you should proceed! Good luck!

Mar 25, 2016 09:57 PM
Rainmaker
3,627,072
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

For me it is a no brainer. Just spit it out.  Sometimes beating around the bush will get you no where, where telling them like it is will.  

Mar 25, 2016 08:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

The bigger picture is how many apartments will she rent from you and how many properties might she buy. There's no nice way to say goodbye to potential dollars. There is a nice way to find a home for someone rather than simply a roof over their head Nekia.

Mar 25, 2016 07:34 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Nekia. You have to use your own intuition, if you feel this person is just wasting your time, then you need to tell her, she needs to find someone else to work with, otherwise, show her the property.

Mar 25, 2016 07:09 PM
Rainmaker
634,532
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Limit your time with her at this meeting and let her know you can't be available to guide "window shoping" for a rental. Tell her to clarify her parameters and make a decision.

Mar 25, 2016 06:08 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,773
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

NEKIA CAMPBELL - just let her know, you can do only 'this much'!

Find out what's not working - and limit the showings to only a few and finalize. If she says 'NO', you say the same!

Or perhaps refer her out to someone who has all the time in the world.

Mar 25, 2016 03:58 PM
Ambassador
5,060,494
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

I think you have some good answers  - not sure I can add anything of value. Sounds like she is just shopping, rather than a serious tenant. It's time to make a decision or move on!

Mar 25, 2016 02:26 PM
Rainer
352,976
Teri Pacitto
Compass - Westlake Village, CA
Real Estate, Your Style...Your Home...My Specialty

I'll represent my clients that are landlords only.  I think you'll quickly do the same.  Best to refer them to an agency that specializes in rentals then keep in touch with them after as some do buy at some point.  Just don't be Uber for them.

Mar 25, 2016 01:58 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

I would love to help you, but you need to understand that I am not a tour guide.  What exactly are you not seeing that is causing you to refrain from making a decision?  This is only a rental and not a purchase, so don't overthink this. If we find something that meets the criteria you have given me, then I expect you to jump on it. 

I am wondering if this client is actually qualified to rent they are viewing. Ask for credit information to verify.  May be wasting your time.

Mar 25, 2016 01:28 PM
Rainer
223,831
LUXURYSOCALREALTY COMPASS La Jolla
Compass - La Jolla, CA
San Diego Partner - The Private Client Network

Oh my.  Renters are dangerous I don't usually represent unless as a listing.  Tenants are dangerous because Craigslist is a viable avenue in my market.  Therefore you could spend a lot of time searching and they end up going direct to owner. 

Mar 25, 2016 01:19 PM
Ambassador
3,383,384
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Explain her move is temporary.  She's not buying a house.  Just living in one for a year.  Any place is doable for a year.

Mar 25, 2016 12:01 PM
Rainer
5,020
NEKIA CAMPBELL
Weichert, Realtors - Union, NJ

It's amusing that I took 2 different buyers out and after 1 appointment, they both made offers on the homes. I'm treating both my buyers & renters the same yet the renter is taking more of my time and wasting more of my gas. I always ask the same general questions re: location, price, and size then begin search. But everytime we speak, she changes all those factors. I want to throw in the towel...

Mar 25, 2016 11:51 AM
Ambassador
6,417,434
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Let her know what it is costing you and start billing her for the time, she will make a decision very quickly.

Mar 26, 2016 11:14 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,328
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

time to "s _ _ t or get off the pot"..... or you could just say " it's time to make a decision"....or "call me when you're ready to make a move here" or "third time's a charm, and this is your 3rd".... 

Mar 26, 2016 07:56 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,132
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I would try to explain the situation to her.  If he doesn't get it, it's up to you whether you want to continue working with her or not.

Mar 26, 2016 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,624,653
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm representing LL only, unless it is by a referral of a good client. You need to be proactive, ask questions and listen carefully, this clients seems does not really know what she wants. 

Mar 26, 2016 05:06 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

You cannot lose control over a client because you never had control in the first place.  

Next time, the reality talk comes before you waste your time.

At this point you have to have be honest and if she gets miffed, so be it. Your other choice is to keep showing her property until you hate her.

Eve

PS: why would you want to refer a time-waster to someone else?

Mar 26, 2016 04:59 AM
Rainmaker
152,661
Chrissi Chapman Topoleski
Coldwell Banker Realty - Woodbridge, VA
Helping agents live an exceptional life!

I have been there and I have simply said that although I enjoy working with them, we have seen many houses that meet their criteria, and if we continue to look we will never be able to narrow down the list. If they can't make a decision then, I tell them I am unfortunately unable to continue to show them houses due to other scheduling conflicts.

Mar 26, 2016 04:08 AM
Ambassador
3,349,404
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I would  not recommend that you say that ... you do not have time for her indecisiveness.  That puts the focus on you, not the client.  Isolate what the issues are ... devise a game plan she agrees to ... and decide together how you will move forward.  Get her agreement.  If that fails ... cut the line and let her go.

Mar 26, 2016 02:01 AM
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

Sounds like time to refer her to another agent!

Mar 25, 2016 11:13 PM
Rainmaker
4,582,184
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Lise Howe has a great response.

Mar 25, 2016 11:00 PM
Rainmaker
823,679
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I agree with Lise Howe 's advice and sometimes I just tell them that they might get a good deal if they search on Craigslist.

Mar 25, 2016 10:19 PM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Lots of great answers here NEKIA CAMPBELL but I think that Lise Howe summed it up the best!

Mar 25, 2016 02:57 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

You find out what she is looking for, show her what that looks like, then start filling in the rental agreement,.

Mar 25, 2016 02:01 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,308
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Dedpending on if you have another renter in the  wings and if she would be good you also don't wan to scare her away.  But a time table needs to be put in place

Mar 26, 2016 11:33 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Mouth shut - reading answers.

Mar 26, 2016 07:59 AM
Rainmaker
7,863,184
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is your choice to work with prospective tenants. You sometimes have to show multiple properties.

Mar 26, 2016 12:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,664,136
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Tell her straight up with a smile on your face.  

Mar 25, 2016 11:26 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,177
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Mar 25, 2016 09:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,241,754
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I gave them just one chance.  Every lease property I have 30 people contacted me. I host an open house. 

Lately I do a pre open house the ones come already have paperwork and know the neighborhood.  I have been taken 1st prospect three times and shut rest of them off.  I post a sign on the door the OH is cancelled because it is taken.  It is a landlord market....

Mar 25, 2016 01:52 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,581
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Nekia,

I think Lise Howe gave you some brilliant advice.  A

Mar 25, 2016 01:50 PM