What makes for a good client broker relationship

Since we returned from our little getaway time has flown and the hours have been long. Over the weekend I received some great praise by several past and present clients but I also got it right between the eyes with 1 client last week and and many "clients" just seem to be to "busy" to ever respond to calls. On Sunday I was with a close friend and he was lamenting how difficult it is to get guest to RSVP for a party. No one seems to be responsible or want to be accountable but as he pointed out he must pay for the caterer, pay for the food and staffing, the room, and all of the costs associated with the event and an accurate count is very important. I both sympathized with him and empathized. For several years the DMG provide a yearly summer party. We went all out to do it right and thank all of our clients and let them know how much we appreciated their business and loyalty. Of course I have used the past tense. In frustration I finally canceled the parties when our RSVP list for people that said they would come topped 50% no shows (about 200 no shows) and people who did not RSVP made up 20% of the guest lists. Planning and costs just became unbearable with the huge swings in attendance.

So to my question. Respect, accountability, and an acknowledgement that a good sales campaign is a group effort. Many clients fail to be held accountable for the simple fact that they control all of the major marketing factors for a home. Yes, that is correct all successful marketing stems from the sellers basic decision on price, conditions and access to the home. Do not believe that, then just raise your price a few hundred thousand dollars and see what the market does, or drop a price by a hundred thousand and watch the buyers come out of the woodwork! When a seller takes an active role and works with the broker, not only is life good but the sales process is always a great experience. To those sellers that set price expectation's unrealistic, refuse to adjust to changes in the market, make demands to the buyers for inconvenient access to their homes, do not provide showing conditions that are less than ideal the process can become a nightmare.

Today we now do something unheard of years ago. When we realize that we have misjudged a seller and the seller expects us to provide miracles while they make life as difficult as they can for us, we graciously give them their listings back. Life is better, profits are up and those sellers that care we can provide so much better care and attention to them that I regret not making this decisions years ago.