I had a client who was not particularly delightful.  I thought it was because he was going through a difficult personal situation.

At the end of the transaction, he hugged me, had tears in his eyes and told me how grateful he was to me.  He even bought me a gift and apologized for his behavior.

When he was ready to sell, he listed the property with me and I did nothing less than an outstanding job.  Gone was the grateful guy.  The awful one was back.  He was nasty and condescending and picked at me every step of the way.

I got him a neighborhood record breaking cash offer.  He wanted a commission reduction.  No. 

Yes and I have had the opposite thing happen too. Money can bring out a bad side of people sometimes.

No.  What Nina Hollander said. 

I've had it happen both ways.  

Can't say that I have. If it's someone who has shown their "stripes" at the start, typically those "stripes" are the same at the end.

Erin - I am usually a pretty good judge of character, and if there is some reason I can't stand someone at first, I am usually spot on.

However, I have had a couple of instances of where I thought I had a good working relationship with someone, and that they were reasonable to work with, only to turn out that they were very difficult people I wish I had never started working with. This usually happens when they change their thoughts and ask for me to perform things that are unethical, or could cost me my job. I certainly draw the line there.

nope, can't think of a single time that happened.

Yes and the opposite also.

I try to remain the messenger in the transaction and not in a principal position ---- I see my job as working for my client to the achieve the results that have been agreed to.  

Yes, and it can work in reverse too.  Had an agent that I had known for years, thought it would be GREAT to do a transaction with, and found he was lacking in communication and follow through.

No, but I've had people I thought I liked reveal their true nature.  LOL

Sounds like there's a story here!  LOL

Erin,

I have seen it happen on occasion, and also seen it where you disliked them even more than before.  LOL A

no!

No; there was only one that was a pain throuhout and when it came time the second time I refused to work with them.

No.

It has not happened to me.

It has happened. Not often but it has happened!

 Good Sunday morning Erin. It's funny how things work out that way

Good morning Erin. That would be pretty rare, but yes it has happened. In the majority of situations, I have very few clients that I don't like.

I'm not judgmental and I do not take things close to the heart. But usually, people do not change, they just show different sides of them. 

I try to find common ground with every client Erin Newman 

Erin, usually if I can't stand another agent or a client, I figure out how whatever they are reflecting back about myself. 

Yes that has happened any times, and the opposite as well.

There is one agent I worked with that stomped all over the transaction from beginning to end. It's a wonder we closed that one. Outside of business, I don't mind spending time with this agent. 

I have had misconceptions along the way and have developed good working relationships at the end. This is always a pleasant surprise.

Yes,  that happens in real life too.

Erin Newman This is very good question.

As a realtor you get squeezed in between.  As long as there is some take and give I can deal with him. 

A stalker walked in in my OH he stated 99% realtors are stupid and incompetent. I am looking for a Supra door opener and I will negotiate the deal with seller directly.  After a few minutes he realized he is barking up the wrong tree. Would you want to meet my broker-esq?  He apoligized and walk away.  He can be my favorite person in a negative way. 

yes. many times. i think it is that we have to try harder to break thru, and as a result we win them over. good question

yes, there are times when a person within a transaction actually becomes a good friend....and was a pain in the beginning....

Erin,
I’ve never had that drastic a shift but I have grown fonder of clients or the other agent as we went along.

Not that I can think of Erin but usually if you push the wrong buttons from the start I will not come around.

YES, in fact some of my favorite people in this world started out with some kind of issue. And I grant that I am no creampuff. ;)

Oh hell no...

Eve

Well maybe not my favorite, but I have had some that turned out to be much nicer folks than my original impression.