By Neil Jenman
A wrong relationship is like a wrong investment. It seldom goes from wrong to right. Bad investments don’t become good investments. Neither do bad relationships.
If you are in a bad relationship, usually your best option is to get out. It seldom gets better. Indeed, as the saying goes, it’s likely to “go from bad to worse”.
So, here’s the golden rule: If things are not working out, get out.
It’s simple. And easy.
Except with real estate agents.
One of the biggest traps in the real estate world – and one that catches thousands of sellers – is signing up with a bad agent who seems good. It happens all the time.
Before you sign-up, the agent is all smiles and promises. The likely sale price will be high; the costs will be low and yes, your home is beautiful, and will sell easily.
Irresistible.
And so, you sign. Usually for a three-month period. Sometimes four months.
And then once you sign up, the agents change.
It’s like they go through a personality change. From fawning and obsequious to ferocious and domineering.
Well, here’s a fact of life in the real estate world: Agents can say anything to persuade you to sign-up and then, after you sign-up, they can do anything to you and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Please let that statement register. Agents can say almost anything to entice you to sign-up. And then, when you are signed-up, agents can do almost anything.
It’s a classic case of ‘Gotcha’.
It’s horrible. It’s unfair. It’s unethical.
Of course, legally, you could probably sue the agent. But how many sellers want to start a legal case? Almost none – and agents know it.
So, how do you protect yourself?
Well, first, unless you have one hundred percent trust that the agent will live up to (or exceed) their promises, you must insist on only signing-up for 30 days. If you like the agent, you can extend another 30 days.
Second, you should always record (with disclosure) any conversations with agents. Honest agents are okay being recorded. Dishonest agents hate being recorded. So, don’t be shy, just say: “For the sake of accuracy, I want to record our discussion. Are you okay with that?” If they are not okay, they are not the right agent.
Third, you can do what one seller, Theresa, did. She enlisted the help of Jenman Support. We did for Theresa what we do for all our sellers. We searched for the best agents – those who are prepared to give sellers the best service and get the best price with the lowest costs.
Before we pass on details of sellers, the agents must “sign-up” to eight protection conditions.
This is what happened with Theresa. We found an agent. The agent “signed” our protection agreement (which covers every possible ‘go-wrong’). And then we passed on Theresa’s details – a gorgeous home in Rozelle in the inner-city of Sydney.
The agent met Theresa. He was ever-so charming. It was a to-die-for-listing that all agents would have loved to sign-up. A sure seller.
Theresa felt safe. Jenman Support was her protective shield. There was no way this agent could do wrong by her.
But some agents have bad memories. Or they think we will support them, not the sellers. But Jenman Support means support for sellers first, agents second.
Once this agent signed-up Theresa he asked her for ten thousand dollars in marketing costs.
When she objected, he dropped his request to five thousand dollars.
In other words, he was prepared to be only “half a bad agent”.
Theresa then called Haley Cervino, her supporter at Jenman Support.
Haley instantly suggested she change agents.
“Oh, can I do that?” asked Theresa.
“Of course, you can,” said Haley, “that’s what we are here for – to look after you and protect you. What this agent is doing is in direct violation of what he agreed with us.”
Within 48 hours, Haley sacked the agent and found another who agreed to the protection conditions.
Theresa then signed up with the second agent. She felt relieved.
But then came a threatening email from the first agent. Seeming to ignore what he had agreed with us, he did what many agents do, he said: “Now that you have signed up with another agent while your agreement with us is valid, you will be liable for two commissions.”
Yes, many agents charge sellers the full commission for not selling their homes. To repeat, it goes on all the time.
Despite our protection, Theresa was nervous – as was her solicitor.
So, what was the solution?
We told Theresa – in writing to her and her solicitor – that if the first agent took legal action against her, we would indemnify her.
So, this agent suddenly discovered he is not threatening a single woman. He is threatening all of us at Jenman Support.
No mate, your threat backfired – badly.
We have taken Theresa away from you. And she has our protective shield. No matter what you say or do, you can never hurt her because we will protect her.
While we agree that not every agent we suggest is always perfect, we are proud that our ‘protective shield’ is about as perfect as you can get when it comes to real estate protection.
So, if you are selling, use our shield. Instead of the agents controlling you, it means you will be controlling the agents.
Like any relationship, if it turns out to be wrong, you can walk away.
That’s the start of what sellers get when they use Jenman Support. The freedom of not being locked-in with a bad agent.
At Jenman Support we never ask sellers for money; we never ask you to sign anything and we will always be your shield and fight for your best interests.
Craig McGill says:
Neil, you are a wonder. I don’t know how you do it. I don’t know of ANY other organisation, anywhere at any time (other than registered charities of course), who are prepared to help people going through a troubling, scary and sometimes frightening time when selling their home.
I still don’t get it. I still don’t see what’s in it for you. But after about a decade or more of observing what you do, getting your advice myself, receiving your free books, and reading the (sometimes alarming) stories from the people you’ve helped, there doesn’t seem to be any catch at all!
I hope you get fulfilment and reward from helping the people you do and I hope you live forever! People will never stop needing your help.
Brett Fiddes says:
seems like a fantastic service, when Im ready to sell will contact
lcb says:
a great initiative for peace of mind. well done.
Judi Cunnington says:
Thank you so much for that story and information, I’ll pass it on to my friends.
Jennifer Larnach-Jones says:
Great story. Cheering for you, Jenman Support, you are heroes, well done!
Jenayah says:
Wonderful article Neil – thank god Theresa engaged Jenman Support
Cath says:
Love reading all your advice. and when I sell I’ll certainly be reaching for J-Man support and protection.
Robert Blyth says:
Great stuff, I will bear this in mind if and when we decide to sell.
Regards Rob Blyth
Ron Duniam says:
Good morning or afternoon.
In my humble opinion no agent should have the legal power to lock anyone into a selling contract. The problem in my view lies with the law and I think Governments should change the law to prevent a seller from a selling contract that gives the agent absolute power. In this free market economy let the agent compete instead of being a monopoly under the current system. Don’t many other businesses operate in the world of competition.
Regards,
Ron Duniam.
Maryborough Qld.
Ryan Cleggett says:
This is one of the many reasons everyone should speak to Neil and his team before selling. ‘No Neil, No Deal!’
Vancho Bonevski says:
I’m normally very sceptical when dealing with people in realestate,
With Neil, from the very first time I dealt with his team and speaking with him, I just knew the guy was genuine… reading his books, in particular “Success Takes Character “ went a long way to help me to know and understand the man better..
Thank you Neil for the great work you do.. our society needs more like you..
Leonie says:
Neil, you, your son and your team are true champions for the little man/woman.
Keep on being awesome!