When should a buyer start looking at property?

I totally agree.  If you are a year away from buying you are wasting every ones time looking at specific homes.  Thanks for the post.

I agree. I've had this conversation with buyers before. I put them on a drip in the MLS so they can become familiar with the market and I stay in touch with them on a regular basis until they are ready to pull the trigger (and view homes). If I can, I'll get them to come to my office so I can meet them, explain the home buying process, and explore their wants and needs. Viewing homes should start a couple of months before the buying date.

Drip email is designed for this person. I'd follow up quarterly with a short, personal email to keep building the relationship--plans change. Because of market conditions, my husband and I bought our future home, a condo in San Francisco, in 2009 rather than wait until 2011 as originally expected. We have it rented until we're ready to make the move.

Marc, something we deal with around here regularly.  I don't like to show these folks homes, but I do try to go out and show neighborhoods.  Then, when they really like one, I will set them up on an MLS auto notification that includes sales and pendings.  If there are lots of sales, they tend to get a bit more motivated.

Marc, I recently had a call from a client who wanted to look at specific properties the same day.  I dropped everything and after showing him property, we wrote a cash offer and closed in less than thirty days.  He is forty years old and had been working with an agent for over a year but she "dropped the ball" ...He shared this with me after we had written the contract and were on our way to closing. I think you need to do a drip to keep them in the loop. 

Marc, this is what open houses are made for.  Anyone wanting to buy a house in the distant future can ride around looking at neighborhoods and get to know typical home features on any Sunday afternoon.  I would also encourage them to have a relationship with a Realtor who can put them on a drip campaign and notify them of open houses in their preferred neighborhoods.  Very good post, and have a great day.

I really don't want to start showing property unless the Buyer is within three or four months of a purchase.  Ideally, the Buyer should have already spoken with a mortgage lender, obtained a credible Pre-approval and display some level of motivation.

I agree, why would they not see that what they are asking is not realistic? Sounds like they need some educating. I won't start showing houses until they are approved for a loan amount, and have gone home to do their finances to pinpoint a number that they can realistically afford. 2011....are they kidding?