5 Signs Your Real Estate Clients are Stepping Out on You

5 Signs Your Real Estate Clients are Stepping Out on You

by Tina McAllister

Every relationship comes with its risk of someone cheating and the same is true for business relationships. And especially in the real estate business. Real estate clients get cold feet, they change their minds and they get tempted by the larger than life personalities by other agents.

Real estate clients step out on agents all the time. Here are five signs that indicate your client is likely cheating on you:

1. Your real estate clients aren't answering your calls. Almost everyone has caller id. So odds are your real estate client has caller id. You call and they don't pick up. Then you start to realize that they haven't picked up the phone for the past two weeks. You're either picking the worst time to call every single time you dial their phone number, or they're stepping out on you!

2. Your clients aren't returning your voicemails. You've called a couple times to let your real estate clients know what's going on, or to just check in with them. Two voicemails. Maybe you've left a third. And your clients still haven't returned your call. You're getting the silent treatment from your real estate clients and that means they are stepping out on you!

3. Your client lets it slip that she loves those new homes over in that new neighborhood. You've just been given notice that your real estate client has walked through at least one new development. And you know that should your client decide to buy a home there you are completely cut out. Your client stepped out on you and it's not a good feeling, is it?

4. Your client wonders out loud if you are doing everything within your means to sell his home. Then he mentions a specific real estate agent in the area who uses such-and-such technique and perhaps that would work. At the very least, your client has looked at your competition online. But he may have even spoken with that agent, or is seriously contemplating cutting you loose in favor of that other agent. Basically, your real estate client is being straight with you, telling you that he's thinking of stepping out. And that's if he hasn't already...

5. You get the kiss off via email or a voicemail. The kiss off can be a straight-forward "things aren't working out" or more likely, will sound something like "well, we're rethinking things...there's just a lot to think about..." with other similar vague terms and a voice trailing off into silence. Let's face it, clients don't give you the boot without a back-up. When they are serious about buying or selling a property, they want action. They've already been stepping out on you, testing the waters with a different agent.

You can't always prevent a real estate client from cheating. There are just some clients whom you can never please, so they are constantly on the lookout for a "better" agent. But there are some clients you can keep from straying. Provide service that makes it hard for a client to ever look anywhere else. Stay in touch via phone and email. Ask lots of questions to make sure you're on the right track and fulfilling your clients' needs. And make it clear that youe willing to go the extra mile to make your relationship with your real estate client work. Help them feel like your number one priority and ask for their loyalty in return.