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Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

That would certainly keep buyers loyal to you. I have thought of this...many times and a lot. I don't think it will work in my area. 

Nov 21, 2014 09:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,731,203
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Jason ...I actually have ....I think it's something that will help all involved ...This was a great question!

Nov 21, 2014 06:31 AM
Rainer
66,199
Chris Webb
Nova Home Loans - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's Social Media Expert

We work with agents who do this here in Tucson. An alternative is to have a preview home tour. Tell potential buyers that you are touring(or previewing) 5 homes in BLANK area and if they would like to come and see them please meet you there. Part of your job description is to know your market and this also give them a sense of professionalism, because you position yourself as the one in control of your time and actions. These type of psychological things matter.  

Nov 21, 2014 02:49 AM
Rainmaker
1,304,300
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Diana Dahlberg - I was thinking of charging a smallish fee (maybe enough to cover some time and gas), then crediting it back at closing if they buy. I think it could cover two bases at once: it creates additional loyalty, and it makes them delay looking until their financing is truly sound. I rarely lose clients, but it's just a thought.

Nov 21, 2014 12:59 PM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I have never charged a fee, but I've thought about it on occasion. We are professionals and sometimes buyers have a tendency to "use us up" ... and those are the moments that I think after x-amount of hours I should charge a fee ... attorneys charge after the first 15 minutes of consultation, why couldn't I?

Nov 21, 2014 12:45 PM
Rainmaker
1,304,300
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Chris Webb - I like that idea. Good stuff!

Nov 21, 2014 04:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,304,300
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Gabe Sanders - I have been considering it for years. If you move forward with it, let me know what kind of response you get.


Nov 21, 2014 04:03 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I keep thinking of doing this Jason Crouch, and will sooner than later.

Nov 20, 2014 08:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,304,300
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Jon Kolsky - Fair enough. Maybe you could be the first one in your market to do this.  :)

Nov 22, 2014 01:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,304,300
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Rob Thomas - Could you describe it a bit more? How much was it? Credited back at closing?

Nov 21, 2014 12:12 PM
Rainer
279,878
Dipti Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
On a team with Praful Thakkar

I leave it to my husband, Praful.

I think he does not charge.

Apr 14, 2018 08:54 PM
Rainmaker
630,251
Ajay Pandya
e-Merge Real Estate Unlimited - Columbus, OH
Realtor Ajay Pandya

A good idea for sure.

Sep 09, 2017 10:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,446,751
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

It's built into our Exclusive Buyer Representation agreement, but I don't know anybody who has ever used it.

Nov 23, 2014 04:46 AM
Rainmaker
2,486,205
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

That is something I haven't thought of doing.

Nov 22, 2014 01:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,308,738
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Jason Crouch ~ I answered your question from my phone, I meant to say "I don't think I will ever do that" And it is the same reason why I don't charge renters to do a credit check... I want my services to stand out above the rest

Nov 22, 2014 12:55 AM
Rainmaker
1,304,300
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Jon Kolsky - Why?

Nov 22, 2014 12:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,308,738
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Jason- although  that would be great,  I don't  think  like will  ever do that 

Nov 21, 2014 11:49 PM
Ambassador
6,392,929
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Absolutely.

Jul 26, 2019 11:14 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

I work by referrals - and this is not something that I have ever done! Nor do I plan to.

Apr 14, 2018 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Yes - but prefer to use Buyer Broker Agreement

Jan 29, 2017 04:21 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Thought has crossed my mind several times over the course of my career. I never quite could bring myself to put it into action.

Jan 04, 2017 07:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'd love that. Not all buyers end up buying a property with us, if we could charge them for driving them around and showing houses, I would work more with buyers.

Nov 25, 2014 04:09 PM
Rainmaker
305,243
Liz Lockhart
Riverbend Realty, Cape Girardeau, MO - Cape Girardeau, MO
GRI, Cape Girardeau Real Estate

Jason Crouch ~ This is a good "if only" question! If buyers routinely had to pay a retainer fee upfront (sort of like an application or  "processing fee"), they would certainly think twice about agent hopping.

RVA HomePRO Michael Hottman ~ I really agree with you on that point! Because I list REO properties, wannabe investors often phone me for advice and help with their "first" flip. The vast majority of the time, they never buy one or only buy one. I have often thought of a retainer fee...wistfully, though.

Nov 24, 2014 10:08 AM
Rainer
80,193
RVA HomePRO Michael Hottman
RVA HomePRO Realtor with Keller Williams serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfiled and Richmond, Virginia - Glen Allen, VA
Helping you achieve goals in life & real estate

I was working with another Realtor in helping out an investor and I'm glad we charged a nominal retainer fee. The investor ran us around town and then dropped us when he wouldn't listen to our coaching. He was a new investor and didn't have the time to invest in his new venture. 

Nov 24, 2014 12:05 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,323
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Small front end fees have been tried in our market and became the topics of legal issues. 

An exclusive buyer agent agreement is more important than a small fee.

Nov 23, 2014 09:25 AM