lol...I have no example...but that was great.

LOL -- communication! I just wrote a blog about my frustration with getting buyers to understand a slow down in appreciation is not the same as prices being lower than a year ago. It's hard for them to understand that they can't buy a home this year for $250,000 when it was $275,000 last year.

Buyer: "But, but, it's a buyer's market!"

Me: "Well, around here the appreciation has been cut in half, but the values are still higher this year than last year."

Buyer: "So, let's offer $250,000."

Me: "It was bought for $275,000 last year and the appreciation has been 5%."

Buyer: "Oh, I see, well, let's offer $240,000, then!"

Me: "Do you have a gun I can borrow?"

Hey Uncle Billy,

Your story reminds me of a story I have on my blog "Can We Talk" regarding what a woman wants.  No relevants just a reminder.  

I have two teenagers.  I hone my communication skills by deciphering "teenspeak".  Clientspeak is pretty much the same thing.  Unreasonable expectations and more than willing to spend my money (commission reductions).

Good one Bill.

Mike, so true.

Also, here we are getting beat up after inspections on resales. What part of resale don't buyers understand. The home is not brand new. you want new, you pay $20-$75 more per sq.ft. Buyers expect a resale home to be in mint new condition. One of my sellers came down $8000 on sales price, then the buyer comes back and wants another $15000 off on a home priced in the mid $200's after inspections. For little things or typical things on a resale. I actually think he wanted the entire home rebuilt. We lost this one.

The media hype has made folks think sellers are going to give their home away. In our area, we are not being effected by a down market, just like Mike, we are still seeing average 8% appreciation. Just read that Austin, about 50 miles above us is in double digit appreciation.

It is tough to communicate this. But working on it.

Not just the 'send' part of communicating but also selective hearing can cause glitches.

"Just tune into my frequency and you'll get the message . . . oh, you mean I have to listen too? DOH!"

Great post!  The parking lot of our office has signs posted NO skateboarding, bicycling etc.  Our office is 2 blocks from the University here in town, inevitably once the parking lot is down to about 2 or 3 cars some college aged kids will be in the parking lot skateboarding.

Finally getting annoyed, I asked one if he saw the sign?, he replied yes.  

I asked if he knew how to read?, he replied yes.  

I asked what part of NO don't you understand?  He left.

I agree some clients are like the example Mike gave, it's a buyers market, what do you mean they won't take 75% of the list price?  Crazy, but it still happens!  Again Bill, good post.

Tony

Thanks for the laugh, Bill!

Brian Wilson, Zolve.com

Bill, that was great.

Mike so true, I would laugh but that just hits too close to home.