At some point, I don't take on the listing. They want to control you, when the home doesn't sell, they forget they forced you to do certain things and blame you. If you need surgery, do you control how the surgeon performs surgery?

They don't need a listing agent--they need a real estate license.

it depends on what they're asking for.... we will accompany if it's necessary.... NO ONE CONTROLS MARKETING EXCEPT THE MARKETING AGENT, ME!!!

We are hired to provide an expensive customer service...Advise, counsel and disclose but the decisions remain that of your principal

It depends what the control issues are.   If they are restricting showings and trying to control marketing that's probably a deal breaker.

It depends on the "client's conditions".   Real estate is about negotations.  I am flexible on some things but not everything.   If it doesn't seem like a good match in the beginning, I'm likely to wish them well and move on.   

The decision is up to you.

I had one this past year and will not take another one. Had I known more about this guys personality I would have turned it down. The guy was a major pain and so off the wall on his ideas - totally out of touch.  He finally did exactly what I suggested up 5 month earlier  both in repairs and price and it sold in 4 days.  Folks - listen to the expert!

SOme times during the initial meeting they will make requests and that is when i can tell the right way to go about it and why. I often will not take listings where the seller works against me and not with me

I agree with Nina Hollander and have been finding more sellers that have a little knowledge due to the internet and think they can do the job.

Lots of them! Usually it's the first serious negotiation in the transaction!

You outline what you will do in your listing presentation and let the seller know how you are willing to work with his/her suggestions right from the start. If the seller is not agreeable to your terms, you may not be the right fit for him/her. A real estate contract is a two way agreement and difficult sellers can rob you of your time to the detriment of the rest of your business.

I have to drive the bus, not one else.

We do get a few once in a great while and usually, I will take the listing only if I get at listing signing a Price Modification within 3 weeks if the home does not sell. When the sellers question that move, I respond that it will be necessary if the home receives no showings for ANY reason, not just price. It does get their attention and they start to listen.

Here's my strategy ..... saying that takes control. 

If they try & manipulate a proven system against their own best interests I don't take the listing & tell them they would be too hard to work with.

Not everyone is a fit but if it happens too much, I'd re-evaluate my presentation.

Yes sir especially in high end.

I let them configure what ever arrangement they want PROVIDING I am not required to invest additional time, money or resources.

My business is agile enough to accommodate the education of others.

The key here is projecting the outcome and the cause, in addition to the appropriate time span to measure those outcomes.

"If in six weeks, a buyer asks 'Why has this house been on the market so long?' what would you want me to say?"

That depends what you mean about the word "control". I welcome input from the seller. But then he has to listen to me why I can't do certain things, most usually it's against real estate laws or MLS rules. Sellers do come up with innovative ways that maybe we haven't thought of. Caveat: how flexible I am depends on the quality of the listing.

BILL CHERRY I do the same. Life is too short to deal with a seller who won't take professional advice.

It depends on what is wanting to be 'controlled'...
Some things are open for discussion (within reason) - but some things are non-negotiable...

No I don't allow customers to control my business

We spell everything out in a detailed listing agreement.  If they won't sign - we don't accept the listing...

I agree with you! 

I tell them that they can do what they want but they are paying me for my expertise so they may want to use it.

I'm with Michael Jacobs on this one..depends on the conditions..its all in negotiating!

Yes I do get these!  And, I tell them that I am not the agent for them! As Barbara Todaro mentioned, we are the experts in our field. PERIOD. 

If they are hiring me for my expertise, then let me do what I do best!

Yes, I will listen and maybe do a couple of things to show them the idea doesn't work.  I thne will say it is my way or I am gone.

I evaluate case by case. Hopefully they agree to chabges at a certain point if their way doesn't work.

No sir I don't get those.  If they don't listen to my recommendations I simply say "NEXT" and move on

It's probably best to stay away from those types of listing because there's a good chance it won't sell. We would probably list it and try to deal with it and then lose the listing somewhere down the road because it didn't sell based on the conditions. We actually had one like that a few years ago. Terribly frustrating a big waste of time.

I've had some clients who know very little about real estate procedures, wanting me to putting all of my acquired knowledge aside and conduct myself like a new agent who doesn't already know this is wrong or a mistake !

If they want to interfere in a detrimental way to my marketing or negotiating expertise, my response would be, NEXT!

I would probably say no if I felt I could not succeed with the client's requirements that might even jeopardize the sale. But it hasn't been an issue for quite some time.

We usually have this conversation upfront and do not have this issue.

Yes, I get many who've watched a little too much HGTV.

I am with you, I would not takethe listings if they want to control it.

sometimes

Yes, I believe they are in every market

BILL CHERRY - and I smile and say,'You are the Boss - and my job is the guide the boss'!

I haven't had this happen to me. Sorry I don't have any advice to offer. 

I do not seem to have a problem with this. Most of my sellers are very cooperative and listen to my advice.

It depends on the nature of the conditions.

Vary rarely ... and if I do then I work it out with the sellers or I do not take the listing. 

I'd refer those people to the local "Hope You Sell" office or agree to let them handle everything themselves and do a "input only" type listing.

If it is a matter of commission difference. I do not put it on the mls. Rather it is a pocket listing.  If they want to cancel it that is fine.

If it is a price I ask more than market on both sides. After 30 days I ask them if they want to reduce to market price as stats showed I did duligience.