The Bad News Email

Draft a message delivering bad news to a client.

The news: [INSPECTION ISSUES / APPRAISAL SHORTFALL / FINANCING
FALLEN THROUGH / OFFER REJECTED / PRICE REDUCTION NEEDED / DEAL
DEAD]
Client: [BUYER / SELLER], [EMOTIONAL STATE]
What caused it: [DESCRIBE]
What the options are: [LIST]
What I recommend: [DESCRIBE]

Produce:
1. Subject line that does not cause panic before they open it
2. The news in the first two sentences — do not bury it
3. What it means, concretely
4. The options, each with a consequence
5. My recommendation and why
6. The immediate next step and when we speak
7. A phone script if this is better delivered by voice — say which
   it is

Rules:
- Lead with the news
- No false reassurance
- No blame, including of the other side
- Every option gets a fair statement
- Under [WORD COUNT]