North And Northwest of Chicago Real Estate

Friends? Was in a subject line of one of the emails that I received yesterday. Here is a story that many in our profession can relate to.

I'm not trying to complain with this blog post. I'm sharing a story that is behind me. That made me stronger, better.  Every day we are reminded that "We learn from mistakes" 

Before I go on with this rant, here is my bottom line. I was disappointed for a few minutes, mad, angry, furious, etc.  I did not show to my ex friend any of the emotions above. I was cool like a spritzer, as they would say in the old country. Few times since than I would ask myself "how could they do that?"  and then life goes on.

A few times I have heard: Man up, take it as a man and a few other phrases could be found. What does that person think when they use "the phrase"?
As I'm writing, my age is 34. I have had ups and downs, I have seen the world. I am man enough to admit when I'm wrong and so on. I answer my phone calls, I try to schedule the appointments ahead ...  So here is the rest of my real estate story in this instance. 

Copy and paste of the portion of the email: "I hope that the house thing hasn't gotten between our friendship .... "
While I was away to visit my family in Europe for only a week, my ex friends decided to send an offer without me. One of their excuses is that the agent made them do that. "Now go jump off the bridge "if you know what I'm sayin', I told you so ... 3 2 1 jump ... come on ... you are not jumping ... I would not think so. We have time to think before we make decision. "Friendo!"

The clients "friends" were so much in a hurry that they could not email me for assistance. Someone from my office could show them those few homes while I was away. I told them  that I would be out of town.  My mistake was that I did not use the buyer agency agreement.  I made the mistake. Well, life goes on. I work, sleep, socialize, do the regular stuff.  Of course I'm not calling on these "friends"; they are not friends. You do this and you call me friend?

They did call me after my short trip. One of the sentences they used was: "We have good news and bad news. The good news was that they found the home. The bad news was that they found it with someone else."  Very classy.

Good for the agent. After my 30 + showings and countless hours he found something for them in one day. My mistake, no buyer agency agreement.

One more copy and paste from my email with no editing: "We ended up putting in an offer and are in the process of closing on it now. Right now we are staying in a hotel and it sucks not having a home, but what sucks worse is thinking that we hurt you guys in any way."

I was hurt for a bit since I really had them as friends. .... buyer agency agreement comes to mind. 

Here are a few inserts from my reply:
"I guess I was not a friend is what I have come to accept. 
Some decisions are business decisions and some are friendship decisions. This decision interrupted the friendship. I wish you the best."

My talking point with my next buyers will be : " Once upon a time I had very good friends ..... so let's sign this paper below and we can be friends one day " ..... :))

Friend for life ;) ... just kidding ... or not !

I should of, could of and on and on ...

Sincerely
Haris Dedic