What does it mean if a BUYER is TESTING the waters?

Why would a Home Buyer want to "Test the waters?" Yesterday I wrote an Active Rain Blog about a home seller asking to do just this. Some of the comments got me thinking of a Home Buyer who had asked just this last month. What exactly does it mean when someone is testing the waters? My immediate thought is that "to test the market" means that they can not be that serious. 

The only way to find the answer was to ask the hard questions of why they wanted to test the market and what they were trying to accomplish? The answer was to find their dream home and get the best deal.

I stopped them there and let them know what today's market was really like That there is a shortage of good clean listings and new listings can sell quickly. That buyers should be pre-qualified, ready to look at new listings promptly and make their best offer up front. Otherwise they can and may lose that dream home to another buyer.

To this buyer that made sense. They then gave me the bad news they have been working with "at least 5 or 6 other agents" but did not sign a buyer broker agreement with anyone. I asked them how much effort those agents have given them. The buyer said about 1% each. That is 6% i said. Why not get 100% of an agents effort and hire 1 buyer broker who will look out for their best interests. They said "great plan and they would call the guy from that big national company". I put my head down and prepared to make a quick exit when he said just kidding, can you help us find our new home?"

The most critical part of Buying or Selling a home is the Agent you choose.
 

You have a choice of agents. Use your choice to hire the BEST agent in your area.

LEARN THIS ONE FACT: One should know that All Agents are not created equal and every buyer or seller should take the time to hire the BEST not just the biggest Agent or Company. You deserve the best....