Sometimes the Fit isn't there Between Agent & Client

This post is somewhat bitter-sweet but I feel it is information that needs to be shared.  At 10 a.m. this morning, I pulled a yard sign from a clients home to allow them to seek representation elsewhere.  After a 3 weeks of discussing a new pricing position, we could not come to terms and I let them out of there contract.  I never enjoy turning loose business, but the reality is that I am in the market to sell homes....not to list them. We parted on good terms and I truly care for this young couple a lot & wish them the best of luck.  I actually left feeling a big weight off my shoulders and I'm sure the client can say the same.
Where did I fail as a realtor?  Easy answer:  When I listed the home.  From our first meeting I was upfront with them on what the market showed their home was worth.  Remember, my opinion of value nor the opinion of the homeowners value means squat.....the market dictates a property's value.  We came to terms on a price and agreed to re-evaluate after 30 days of market time.  Well, 30 days came and went and we had no action.  We were clearly being rejected by the market.  We discussed this and decided to go out and view some competition.  After a day of viewing homes, I figured we could finally come to terms with a price reduction.  No go.  At this point in time, it was best that both parties go our respective ways.
Lesson Learned:  Sometimes it just plain stinks to have to tell someone the true value of their home but it comes with the realtor cap.  I've never shied away from this duty ... except once...and look how it turned out.  Well, this I can say for sure:  Although I'm disappointed in the turn out, I AM a better Realtor today because of this occurence!

Bryant Stadler, ePRO Realtor
www.BryantStadler.com