Pulse is a recurring column where we ask for readers’ takes on varying topics in a weekly survey and report back with our findings.
This month, we asked you to share some of the most frustrating client (or agent) behaviors — ones that really get on your nerves. We received a lot of responses; turns out, our readers really wanted a space to vent (understandably).
Readers share the most bizarre experiences with clients below:
- Years ago, I was showing a property to some first-time buyers, and we went to look at an affordable craftsman. I recognized the owner’s name on seller disclosure as a local health food store owner. As we toured the property, we entered one of the bedrooms, and oh my what a surprise. Some type of medical exam table, lots of plastic wall coverings, all these rubber tubes and medical gloves, gowns and supplies. At the foot of the table was what could best be described as a trough. My clients were very freaked out, what are they doing here this looks like Frankenstein lab???? As I looked around knowing who the owner was it all became clear this was a home colonics business. We exited quickly — no thanks 😳🤢
- The client was late for closing. Her explanation was that I went into her house and changed all her clocks so she would be late. She was my client.
- The client sold their house while retaining the ability to remove various doorknobs (their lifetime bedroom knob), grab bars (grandma used to use), pencil sharpener, cap to the oil tank … and other items. Highly sentimental person. I was told they couldn’t do that. She owned the house, so she can do what she wants. We negotiated it all and closed the deal
- I was doing a video tour for an out-of-state buyer, and the seller showed up unexpectedly. To make the video less awkward with the seller there, I started asking questions about the house that he could answer on the video. At one point, he showed me the screened-in deck that overlooked the pool. I asked how private the elevated deck was in the fall when the leaves fall off the trees. He said, “Oh, very private! I f#$* my wife naked out here all the time!” My buyer thought it was HILARIOUS! I was mortified.
- A client whose home I short-sold decided it was OK to tell me how much he missed his ex-wife because she was the perfect “swing” partner (and he wasn’t talking about square dancing). No need to know (EVER!!)…TMI!!
- Quit his job 10 days before closing. He wanted a raise. He was employed again seven days before closing.
- Take their dogs to the house for their approval on the purchase.
- I once had a client take her top off (in her car), attach a breast pump to both sides, walk up the driveway into the house we were viewing actively pumping, and continue pumping while we viewing the house. After we saw the home, she put the baby on the owner’s couch and gave the baby the bottle. Thankfully, the owners were out of town that day and weren’t waiting to get back in! And no, they did not buy that particular home!
- It may not be that unique, but a buyer for my seller’s property wanted to include the sellers’ chickens in the sale. My seller wanted to keep some. Long story short — we negotiated the number of chickens and the custom-made coop. It was the hardest part of the negotiations!
- The buyer would go into the seller’s primary bedroom, lay on the seller’s bed with an electromagnetic scanning device in his hand.
- Request I include the used bathroom towels in the offer. They matched the bath decor, and the buyers HAD to have them.
What did we miss? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Editor’s note: These responses were given anonymously and, therefore, are not attributed to anyone specifically. Responses were also edited for grammar and clarity. Inman doesn’t endorse any specific method and regulations may vary from state to state.