Gas Prices too High to "Waste" My Time with Buyers? Oh, Puh-leeeaze!

Great post Jennifer. I try to work smarter with my buyers by having them focus on wants and needs but I would never stop driving where we need to go. As for loyalty, this is the opportunity to work on getting those contracts as exclusive buyer's agents out so that the buyers realize what you do, how you are paid, and commit to you.  BTW, Frank, many of the builder's will give your buyers the same incentives if you bring the buyers in.   

I agree with you good post

I understand that Paddy, but if you have overzealous clients, they will go out on their own as well.  I have a family that were calling and wanting to see EVERYDAY, and i did, they didn't really know what they want in my opinion, however I seen her in the store and slipped up and said they went to the new builder sales office on Sunday (i had phone duty) and the clerk showed her FIFTEEN houses!  Now I don't really hear from her.

Frank,

Great point.   You Snooze You Lose :)  I read a great book by Bill Radin (he is a recruiting guru).  The name of the book says it all.  "Shut Up, and Make More Money".   I now live my life by that motto.   The market is bad for everyone, but that is still not putting any money in my pocket.  I can blame the gas prices, the stars and the cow that jumped over the moon, or I can get out there work harder, kick doors down, market smarter, and keep trying.   Everytime I find myself falling into self pity, I notice my pipeline shrink.   I think one has to do with the other :).  Everyone get out there and make money.  It REALLY is that easy.   Have a great week everyone. 

PEOPLE DO NOT WALK ON THE LOT, LEST THEY WANT TO BUY!   They are not spending time with you because they are lonely (usually).   They want to buy a house, THE RIGHT HOUSE at THE RIGHT PRICE.   That takse time.   my wife and I ran our REALTOR around for 5 months, a couple of days a month.   She made $20,000 off the final purchase that we made.   WE LOVE OUR HOUSE.  IT TAKES TIME .   May the sellilng gods shine on all of you this week.  

and we know the builder is not going to ask the client "are you currently working with a Realtor", i think not.

I think we've all had the client that runs you to the 4 corners of the earth to no avail and uses time and money.  But we've all had the client that finds the perfect house right off the bat, or that already knows which house they want.  I agree with Jennifer, if you don't want to waste the gas, send them on over.  I don't view any client as a waste. 

Those are the gifts that make up for the lemons, Kris.  I don't hear too many complants when we are making money for doing very little.  It all evens out.

Zig said, "If its worth doing, its worth doing for free". 

I drove a buyer around for 2 days, mainly visiting and just looking at vacant land properties.  Come to find out, this was his interview process. We even got in-to-it at one time.  I raised my voice to him, because he had put words in my mouth. 

Wasn't the last time we got in-to-it.  Come to find out, he had visited with 12 or more other agents.   

We were looking at 2 acre parcels, 1 acre parcels, up to 9 acres once.  After about a week of emailing and phone communications, he wrote an offer on an 82 acre parcel I had listed.  Long story short...one of his companies paid 975K cash. 

We still are working on a couple projects, he drives his vehicle every time.  

What do you get a buyer (for a closing gift) that has everything?

On your next deal wwith them, pay for the survey.

Jennifer, as a buyers agent I am feeling the crunch, but I have to remember... If I do not work, I (or my wife and kids) do not eat! So I plug along anyway. This is a reminder that we really have to know what our clients want and need so we can match them with the most appropriate homes to look at. This will save you car time and gas money. I have heard that some offices (not in our area) have started charging all of their buyer clients an upfront fee to help cover the gas costs.

I get this from the Realtors I work with all the time. (not to mention any of my other 3000+ client base who drive a vehicle of anykind).  Really the recent increases are minimal when compared to the overall cost of doing business.

I know a coin dealer who isn't going on his 'road trips' to buy and sell coins cuz of the gas prices.  I did the math with him.  He makes over $10,000 on his average road trip and has to spend about $75 more in gas to get it done.  Go figure..... (I guess he didn't!  )

Keep up the great writing... I LOVE IT ALL!

I have never asked for a buyer agreement. I don't own buyers and I want them to be with me because they are comfortable with me not out of some contractual obligation.

Jennifer:  The argument is indeed ridiculous.  However, I would never think less an agent that felt they needed a Buyer Agency Agreement before showing homes to a buyer.  Working a buyer vs. a listing is always more labor intensive....a much bigger investment of time.  I don't think it is ever a bad idea to set the record straight before you go out and have a Buyer Agency Agreement signed.  Even if you don't get it signed, you usually get a good indication of whether the buyers are monogamous. 

Hi Jennifer - Factor in the 48.5 cent per mile IRS deduction and the increase is even less of a factor. It amazes me that when homes are selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, some agents focus on a few pennies.

I don't drive people around, I usually have them follow me..If they want to use their gas too...that's cool..but I do ALWAYS make sure they are pre approved.....I at least need to know how much they can spend or how do you know what to show them.....

Jennifer,
that's the reason that I added you, we have similar point of view and we think very similar, I agree :), if you work your best, you will be compsensated somehow, just don't expect it, it will come alone.
ray saenz

Jennifer,  you have to feel people out.... now if they sign the required forms and really seem like they want to buy a house, then get in and let's get going!  I don't mind driving home buyers around, I have a problem with home touring.  At the end of the day, you know who really wants to buy and who wants to look at houses (trust, me I learned the HARD way).  We get in a zone, and when a lead talks homebuying we on it!!  I learned the hard way, if you take the time to view a home, then let's take the time to sit down and talk, sign, get to know each other, then buy a home.  There's nothing greater than finding a family a home that they love.