I have tried, often.  With mixed results.

I tell clients "you will always get my professional opinion, I'm not shy. But the final decision is always yours... it's your money, it's your home".

Sometimes they listen to me, sometimes they don't ... but at least I can sleep at night because they go forward with their eyes wide-open.

YES. A favorite client bought a new build in a beautiful new subdivision. I WAS NOT IMPRESSED when the broker's husband took agents on a tour. He exaggerated many claims, one of which was 'there will be a full service marina with valet' . . . the road had not been built yet even. 

I told my client I wanna go on record as opposing you making this deal. IDK, something is wrong here and you are putting way too many upgrades on this (the wife puffed like a rice crispy too) and you are going way over market. If you ever had to sell . . . and this marina is a wet dream right now.

He said he took my words seriously but had a good feeling about it as he shot his first hole in one at the golf course. LOL let's leave spidey senses to the experts dude!

Anyhoo, he made the deal at 450k, developer went BK, market tanked, resold 14 years later at 210k . . . and that damn marina has STILL never been built though the road IS now, as of last year, in. LOL

I also told him to walk away from it but my blue collar, self made millionaire with a conscience refused. And took the hit. 

Engaging in a conversation/discussion is one thing.  Mind-changing is different.  I find most people are reasonable and if they aren't I wonder why they would be clients.  Success is measured in many ways.  

Yes, I have told someone before "do not buy this house". They did & things did not go well. Lucky for them I short saled it for them a few years later & they were able to walk away not owing anything on the house. 

Yes and no.  Boy, I like these easy questions.  

How do you define horrible?  Was it life threatening or merely financially stupid? 

You cant change stupid.  

Yes I have & it's a horrible feeling when you know the outcome in the future. I've been recently told that my opinion was not needed. 

If I am involved it never gets to the critical stage. However, if it does, an accountability discussion takes place (pro & con) then we see what goes...

Yes and yes... and one thing I tell my clients right up-front is that I'll be totally honest with them so they are prepared to hear me out if that time comes. Then I also tell them if they still wish to move ahead, I will make it happen for them, but I will also document my files regarding my advice to them... so if they ever decide to blame me for their mistake, it will be hard to do. That usually gets their attention and a second think on my advice.

Yes and yes most of the time. When emotions are high, no way.

Many times and most of the times yes, they will listen to reason. However there is those who are stuck with a thought or action that no one could change their mind. SOmetimes they have to fail to see the light

Many, many times. Some sucessful, some not.

Yes and most have been successful. I've noticed that the web leads that I've never met or that don't come recommended by someone else are a bit more bull-headed.

My repeat and referral clients trust my advice and know that I will always have their backs and always speak my mind, whether they like it or not! 

I've given my opinion. Yes

Yes, I advised a couple to move on to cancel the contract. It was discovered during the home inspection, that the bank-owned home they wanted to buy was shifting due to water consistently coming into the crawl space. They are lifelong clients now and have referred my services to five of their friends. They have done three transactions with me as well.

No. I think we were all in one accord from the start.

Those 'bad' decisions were typically related to helping 'family' with a history of refusing to benefit from help received.

When it's famiy you do what you have to do.

Yes, I tried but did not succeed.  My buyer-client was physically disabled and wanted to buy a fixer-upper and they wanted to pay cash.  This buyer would not even look at other homes as they felt this house needed "rescuing."  After the sale, this client told off my managing broker, swore to never use anyone from my firm again and needless to say, they didn't call me when they resold!

Now I accept that clients are adults and can make their own decisions.  I will guide them and support their decisions (and document my file like crazy), but I will no longer try to persuade them if they are not willing.  

Paul,

Yes, and we did.  A

Yes I give them my advice and they make their choice.  And yes, many times over the year and they thank me afterwards! I go back to having a gentle conversation what they said their goal was and are they really on track.....and is this property really the best option or not. And of course I give them other options.

I don't ever remember a client of mine making any horrible decisions....not on my watch.... and my clients were builders... they listened to my advice.

The answer to both questions is affirmative. And I give my advice when the action may not be in their best interest.

Clients pay us a lot of money for our advice, most follow it.

All we can do is advise; beyond that it's the client's decision.

I have and succeeded but they were really PO'd at first but I was correct in advising them not to proceed.

Yes. Yes.

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS I may have politely/gently pointed out what I considered an error in judgment but I don't remember any case in specific nor the results of it.

I don't attempt to change my client's mind. I never tell them to buy or not to buy a particular house. I find that by spending the time consulting with clients about the house that would suit their wants best if the house they are considering does not fit their desires I talk to them about what is contrary to what they expressed as their important desires.  Also, when it comes to first time home buyers they may get excited about getting into a home and go for one of the first homes they see even though it is over priced or isn't right for them. In those cases I suggest that we go see a few more homes just so they can be sure they are making the right decision. These approaches have always worked for me to get my clients what would be best in their situation. 

I try to steer them away from mistakes because I owe it to my clients - plus I assume that I will have to sell the property later when they change their minds and realize they don't like the property any more. Sometimes I succeed

Funny you should ask! I'm in the exact position as of yesterday. Scenario: This family owns 4 mobile homes between grandparents and kids, all in the same park. The father is a Crypto guy so money is no object. Showed a 1973 mobile home yesterday, way over-priced and it was remodeled 2016. They LOVED it.

On the other hand, there is a 30+ year newer mobile that I gave an in-home evaluation a few month back. The seller decided to sell it himself for under-market value, not wanting to pay my commission.

I texted him back and told him my buyer will pay him more than he is asking for and he is going to text me today. Who knows what's going to happen...

Yes Paul. Two years ago I visited a grieving widow for a listing presentation. She wanted to sell her home extremely fast, 20% above market value and not a penny less. It sold 13 months later at exactly the mid-point of the market value price range I gave her. I sometimes think about the unnecessary agony she created for herself.

Yes, quite often.  After all, that is why they hire us as we are the professionals.  Most of the time they come around.  The biggest thing that comes to mind is location. I try to get the best resale value for my clients but they sometimes don't care.  Most often they eventually relent.

I am the guide.  I point out what clients may not be seeing or are aware of. Thankfully, my clients are all smart enough none of them needed me to pull them off the train tracks.  They say the light I was shinning and stepped off the tracks. 

I will point things out and ask questions that help me help them see what might be limitations in their decision.  I also prescribe to "to each their own".  Many people choose houses that I would never even consider and end up being very happy in them so who am I to interject my opinion & alienate them?