Will I have look at a lot of homes before I find "the one?"

Heck, I've had clients like the first home, but we always tour a few more just to make sure.  But, they've went back to the first time and time again. 

Hello Gary,

Answering some fo the key questions you have posted will help the Buyer narrow their search and save a lot of wasted time.

I like what #8 has to say. The most amazing agent that I know (with most of his clients) can show 3 houses and always write an offer on one. He really identifies what the buyer wants before getting into the car. It's a gift.

Being able to identify the type of home that will work for a buyer customer is definitely a skill that is so important to develop. 

Hi Gary, If buyers change their search criteria, and circumstances, they need to inform their agent. To often agents will show buyers exactly what they said they wanted, but the buyers still are somewhat reluctant to make that decision. When you ask them, why those homes won't work, you find out they omitted something in their criteria, or the failed to inform their agents.

Hey Gary,

I have been very fortunate to find buyers what they want and the buyers get the remorse blues before we even get a signed contract.  Sometimes it's too many opinions from people who are not buying but making recommendations to the buyer.  Good post.  Thanks and best of success to you this year!

Gary, definitely identifying the area or areas is number one, then the house part usually falls into place. Great post, congrats on the Feature!

Sharon

Gary, 

It all depends.  This year I've had Buyers see only 4 homes before they put in an offer and others have looked at 40.  It's a whole lot of factors.  

All the best, Michelle

Gary, We've had the whole spectrum over the years.  Buyers that know EXACTLY what they want, have done their homework, and can narrow down within a handful of homes.  Others are like butterflies, with random courses and don't know what they want.  And sometimes we've gotten so far into it with them there just doesn't feel like any turning back.

Gary, one of the worst kinds of buyer clients is the one who says "I want to see everything out there that's available." Those are people who don't know what they want.

Gary -- It is important for the agent to control the process.. and as noted above, one good way to do this is through a buyer consulation.  It works most of the time.

At the end of the day, the buyer needs to be ready to  buy. If they are not really ready yet, then they will look at many many houses!

Gary - It's important that an agent can help the buyer narrow down their choices by helping them to understand what they're looking for.  Knowing the area is important, and it's important to ask the right questions.

Gary, working with buyers I have expereinced 'both' sides - someone bought it at first go and someone took years. Yes, it is difficult to predict but as Christine said in her comments, narrowing down the choices is the way to go. After all, I believe buying a home is a process of elimination, not selection.

Gary,  You've laid out the criteria buyers should be conisdering prior to looking so when they find the perfect home, they'll know it.  Excellent post.  :)