5 Things That Might Make Real Estate Agents Wonder if You’re Testing Their Limits

The Wall Street Journal recently ran a piece about some crazy things agents have had to do in order to get clients. One agent was reportedly willing to get impromptu acupuncture at the request of a potential seller, in order to land a high-end listing. The agent said it felt like the seller was testing to see how far the agent was willing to go for his business.

While you can certainly find an agent willing to do a lot of things just to get your business, it’s not the best way to hire an agent. You should hire one for their knowledge, skills, and ability to get the best results for you, not because they’re desperate or willing to do whatever you ask them to do.

Most agents are willing to go above and beyond for their clients. Fortunately, most agents aren’t propositioned with such an extreme (or odd) request.

But here are 5 fairly common things some clients ask or expect an agent to do, that can make an agent wonder if they’re joking, serious, or just testing their limits:

1) Expecting them to clean your house

The movie American Beauty had a scene showing a real estate agent frantically cleaning a client’s house from top to bottom in order to make it presentable for an open house she was about to host. Could you find an agent who’s willing to be your cleaning service in order to get your listing? Probably. But don’t expect most agents to swing by and wash your windows and scrub your toilets just to earn your business.

2) Expecting them to help you pack and move

Movers can be expensive, and friends can be less than excited to help for free pizza and beer. Plus, a lot of people wait until the last minute to start packing and moving their belongings. So it’s not unusual for a frantic client to expect their agent to clear their schedule, throw on some old clothes, and start lugging their boxes. Most agents will gladly help a client pack or move in an emergency situation, but just don’t expect to make a lack of planning on your part become the responsibility of your agent.

3) Flirting with them (Or worse!)

Agents have to make their phone number easily available to people. So it’s probably not surprising to hear that they get their share of lewd or crude calls and text messages from people. But what might be surprising is how many people think that agents will be OK with sexual advances (or even encounters) in order for someone to work with them! If you’re thinking your agent wants to exchange a few steamy text messages, you’re probably wrong, unless it’s about how hot the real estate market is.

4) Leaving trash they have to get rid of

When closing day comes and the seller needs to hightail it out of the house, they often leave behind a bunch of trash in the garage, basement, or lining the curb at the street. Well, most buyers don’t want a house full of trash, so they typically demand that the seller come back and get rid of it before the closing. But some sellers feel just fine telling their agent to go get rid of it, if they want the house to close.

Will an agent run over and do it to save the day, and their commission check? Probably. But just know that there are plenty of agents out there who won’t cave into a tactic like that and will wait patiently while you arrange to get the garbage gone.

5) Asking them to kick back part of their commission

By law, agents aren’t allowed to just give people back cold hard cash from their commission check. But plenty of potential buyers and sellers ask agents to hand over a chunk of change for the honor of working with them. And pushing an agent to do it on the sly (hush, hush, wink, wink) is asking them to break a law that could cost them their license. Most agents are going to think you’re working undercover for the banking and insurance division trying to catch them doing something illegal. But could you find an agent out there willing to risk so much, just to get your business? Again… probably. Is it an agent you should work with? Probably not…