The reluctant buyer.

Barbara I say hang in there.  I had a client last year who looked for over 5 months.  Didn't use the Internet but on occasion if she happened to go to the library.  So every potential property I found we had to discuss over the phone......at length.  They finally did buy and were very grateful for my hanging in there with them!!  They are now clients for life!!

gET A TARGET DATE. When do they want to be in their home. Th eanswer is not when we find the right home, You need a date.

Wow a year......I agree with Brett.  Maybe if they have kids say "lets get you in your new home and settled in time for school to start" or "early fall so they are settled for the holidays in Nov/Dec".....that has motivated buyers in the past for me.  Too bad that dream home doesn't have a couple other agents hinting at writing up offers, that may move them do do something.  Best of luck to you!

Barbara, WOW!!!!!!

I talk to my client about what is a "fair" sales price. I usually tell them up front before we go out that there's nothing wrong with paying what a house is worth; what we don't want to do is pay for more than it's worth. I base my recommendations to them on what other similar houses have been selling for, and then talk about the appraisal issue. If a house is worth X amount and we pay more, then we're going to have a problem with the appraisal and the financing and may have to come up with more money down. Similarly, the listing agent isn't a dummy, and she's not going to let the house go for less than it's worth.

Another alternative is that if the buyer insists on getting a "deal", then discuss that you can pursue that for them, but it greatly reduces the pool of total houses available. That's because only a certain amount of houses are distressed, meaning, having to sell because they can't afford to stay in it. Trying to get a "steal" on a house where the seller is not desperate to sell is unlikely, as their agent will counsel them to sell for a reasonable price, not an unreasonable price.

I don't think your buyers are ready to buy. They do not sound as if they have a definite time frame. Are they in a lease? Or are they month to month? Generally, I ask my clients up front on the first conversation what their perfect time frame would be for moving into their new home. If they say three months, they are ready to buy now, and I let them know it takes that long to find a place, negotiate, and get into it. If they say 6 months, I email them properties, but don't take them out. They are not worth my time (no offense meant to the client, but they are "window shopping"). In three months, when I head out with them again, the inventory will be entirely different. Pricing, availability, etc. So as a professional it would be foolish for me to waste both their time and my time.

(I usually tell them this, that in three months the market will be entirely different, and if they're ready to buy I've found that usually it doesn't take buyers longer than two weekends to find a house they are really excited about. So I make non-ready buyers wait. At some point, if they are being honest with themselves, they acknowledge to themselves they would just be "using" me otherwise and that it is silly to look at houses when obviously the market will be entirely different when they can buy.)

A last resort, if they are driving you insane enough is to refer them to another agent and just take a referral fee when they close. I've done that before and prefer to do that if I feel either I'm not connecting with the client the way I like, or they're just not as serious as I'd like in the home-buying process.

Part of why you're so frustrated is because you're violating your own boundaries for how your ok to be treated. You know they're stepping on you, but you're afraid to fire them. The tough market doesn't help! But if you kindly and lovingly stood up for youself, honoring what you know is right and not letting them take advantage of you, basically if they knew you weren't scared of firing them as your customers, they'd have a whole lot more respect for you.

Just so you know, sounds like you're doing a terrific job but just got stuck in a bad place. Don't let it get you down, you're a great agent, just remember your value and don't be scared to draw the line when you need to.

:) Best of luck and many blessings,

Sara

Barbara, just read your response.... A WHOLE YEAR!!!! This is what I have to say about that: it is not your fault for not selling them, so whatever you do, don't feel crummy about it. They are obviouly NOT ready to buy. I would sack them immediately. 20% of clients take 80% of the energy. You have to let go of that bottom 20%. Fire the worst customers. I came across an article in Inc Magazine 6 years ago about this (firing your worst customers) and made a copy and gave it to everyone in our company. They drain you emotionally, mentally, spiritually... it's just not good. They are taking advantage of you.

For yourself, commit to NOT working with the bottom 20%. Commit to recognizing within yourself when you know something is off, and commit to honoring yourself enough to say NO when you need to. You'll feel so much better to not work with these type of clients that they'll be a new spring in your step and you'll bring that positive energy and outlook to the rest of your work, and all of a sudden, because you've protected your state of mind and are at a good place, you'll start connecting with good clients like never before. You deserve it. You matter and have value even if your clients don't think so. Stand up for yourself, fire them, say NO!

I am patient with buyers.  I do not want to push someone into a home they do not want, but I do speak frankly about what is reasonable.

Since they are buying the property and you are not what is reasonable is what they feel comfortable offering after listening to your advice.  You are not selling the house either so let the seller decide what is acceptable.

my heart goes out to you, we've all had clients like that.. Good Luck

I have dealt with some of these kind also and I wish you luck!

These type of buyers are always hard to deal with. It takes so much time to find a home for them I also wonder is it worth it. Whats a agent to do?