I am typically done after I have shown them homes that are exactly what they want and they either don't act on it or want to place a ridiculously low offer for it. People who can't make a decision, couples who are not on the same page, and having unrealistic expectations about what they can get for the price they can pay are all reasons I have stopped working with them. I have just flat out told them why I won't continue.

I don't have that problem because I understand /qualify the buyer before  I burn my gas.

Seriously, agents seem to think that everyone that says they want to buy, will be a good buyer.  Not so.  Ask some questions...then decide if you are a good fit.

I want to know everything about the buyer like:

• What have you looked at?
• How long have you been looking?
• What are you looking for that you have not found?
• What was the price of the offer you made, the price it was listed for and why you did not buy it?
• What do you consider a "good" buy?

Trust me, BUYERS ARE NOT LIARS... agents just don't ask. Particularly, if it is a higher dollar amount...agents shake in their shoes to be able to drive them around.  Reality is that a savvy buyers agent will ask the same questions of all buyers regardless of purchase amount. 

If a buyer avoids to answer, you re-phrase the question and ask again.  Real buyers will not dance around, and will give you a straight answer. (if they trust you)

Yes, I also have buyers financing re-qualified with my trusted lender, regardless of who they have talked to.  Mortage brokers are just like real estate agents...a dime a dozen and most not to be relied on.

Since we exclusively represent buyers and do not list property, every buyer has to pass the sniff test.

Eve

I don't do too many buyer clients. One time, I told a buyer to call my lender etc. to get qualified and they refused. SO DID I.....

I try my best to help everybody but as we know, that's a prescription for failure.   The worst part is that it is often because of something related to the client so telling them it is THEIR fault is extremely difficult.

When it comes down to denying a mortgage, I share the facts with them and when it is in black and white on paper, it is easier to describe though not easier for the client to hear.   I always try to follow up with a plan B.   I try to work with them to overcome the denial going forward.   I help them balance their ratios or clean up their credit or find another property, if that was the cause of the loan falling through.

Often, when we get through the initial shock and disappointment, our working relationship gets stronger and we move forward together.   Eventually we do get them in a property and they become a referral source because of the whole experience working through the setback together.

buyers are high maintenance... I didn't work with any of them long enough to sever ties.... after my first 6 months in the business, I focused on listings.... 38 years ago...

I have only had this happen a few times.  Once, the buyer's wife accidentally slipped and said something regarding the fact they were never going to buy.  I was their 5th agent in 2 years-so thank God I listened.  I just stopped sending them listings.  The 2nd time the buyer purchased a property I had showed them from another agent.  They kept calling me asking for me to send them listings.  I just said I had not seen anything but if I did I would forward.  Then I just lost their information.  If the buyer uses information I give them and then they use another realtor, I don't take their phone calls anymore or return them.

When they've looked at 5 dozen properties and none seem to work because husband and wife can't agree. When they don't make themselve available to look. Fortunately, I've only cut ties with a handful of buyers over the past 23 years---much more often with sellers. Basically, I tell them that my schedule isn't allowing me to service them to the extent I'd like to.

In 17 years I haven't reached that point

Once I take you on as a client, I stick with you. I've had a couple of clients "handed off to me" by other agents and, guess what, they bought through me. Maybe they just were not a good fit with the other agent? In fact, I'm in escrow with a client like that right now and he's already been asking me to look for other properties.

If they were not listening or became belligerent than it may be time. By listening the basic rules of buying are get pre-qualified, look at homes within your price range and make reasonable offers. A buyer offering half priced these days would be considered unreasonable. 

If I really find a good home & they don't pull the trigger I find out why. Most of the time it's for a reason that was never discussed. Internal problems within the couple that I can't help with (shrink).

After 10 houses or so if they don't show any interest in writing an offer I would not call them anymore & move on.

This is a business, not a hobby.

Although I enjoy looking at houses, I prefer paying my bills on time.

I cut them loose when I am showing the buyer what the want, they are not critical of the properties available and respond, "Let me think about it."

I look at the names on 'THE LIST' and connect them with a better fit.

We have never done so, so I have no concrete example, with specifics, to share Christopher Pagli.  If I was not part of 'Team Angeloni' there are some clients that I would not have worked with, due to their attempted bullying and daily indecision or going back and forth, on buying or not and selling or not.  I would be very honest with them, even if I have felt they were not with me, and would suggest another realtor who could be a 'better fit'.  It would be pretty cut and dry, though professional always! 

     When they have seen numerous properties that meet their criteria, but refuse to pull the trigger.

I haven't to yet...but Im getting closer with a client I'm working at this moment. I have showed them homes exactly in their search criteria, but don't want to make an offer ..I think is time to have a heart- to-heart conversation and take a decision from there. 

If they run me all over town and do not respect my time, we have a talk.

I interview Buyers in the same manner that I interview Sellers.  I meet with them upfront for a "get to know you" meeting.  If I elect to move forward and represent them, I am in it for the long haul. 

If I elect not to work with them, I inform them that they would be better served to work with an agent who intimately knows the market the Buyer has selected.  Then I refer them to someone with high integrity.

It would vary by the situation, and each client is different. Being chronically late would be one issue. Continuing to make low offers that haven't a prayer of getting accepted is another

I'm typically done when they refuse to get approved.  It has varied over the years.

when they become rude, disrespectful, or verbally abusive. Oh, and when they don't listen - I suggest they find another agent 

If I truly believe I have found them two ideal homes and they make excuses, it time to sever ties!

I have never made it a practice to sever ties with clients. 

Haven't had to - perhaps due to how we pre-screen them on the front end and require a Buyer Broker Agreement before we get started in earnest...

Most of the time it is mutual. After 3 months they either stop calling you or look on their own strike a deal with listing agent. 

Buyer agent is like endangered specices.  Only the very inexperienced need a buyer agent in this area. Most are looking for a Supra door opener. They often tell you that.

If I find they are not really going to buy

It really depends. Investors, I expect that we'll write aggressive offers, and we know what we're getting into--we can't work with them in Spring/Summer up-season, though. Buyers that challenge me on what is factual in our market, I get saturated quickly and basically I will send them a note and tell them that we're not able to work with them anymore. We may not be BFFs, but I sure in the hell am not going to represent someone that thinks I'm the enemy. If a buyer is taking advice from an unseasoned non-expert over mine. And owner-buyers who waste our time, are not serious, or looking for 50% deals in a 110% market.

Depends on how demanding they are and how unrealistic.

Best to prepare for and talk to them about expectations before starting.

Depends on your priorities. Once I had buyers that I knew after a few meetings would never make a decision, but I continued to take them around, partly as a way to learn better the market sector they were exploring, without making them my priority. Plus... you just never know. But, if the buyers are rude, always late, condescending in any way or not showing up, ditch them.

When under a buyer rep agreement, either the buyer or the agent can cancel it.  Without a buyer rep agreement, there is no fidicuary established, and an agent can fade off into the distance, if they'd like.  If the agent has written up a contract, tough cheese on severing ties.  Just can not do it!

If they are not responsive and do not get approval.

I've worked with a buyer for 7 years.  Then he bought two homes in one day from me.  Later he sold them both with me.  yes it was worth it.  

But the answer is the MINUTE they became an a$$.  It's just not worth taking abuse.

Working with any client is a professional "relationship". As long as both parties are committed and follow the same goals, you're good. Just as in any relationship, you'll know when it's time to quit. Time is a valuable commodity to a realtor, spend it wisely and for people who clearly appreciate it.

It is not just buyers .... I've let a few sellers go too. I let them go when I know I cannot meet their expectations ... or when I feel referring them out makes sense ... because they would be better served.  For example, a client that wants to buy out of my area. 

When I feel like I have to be a miracle worker I cut ties.

It is relative to the situation and it is best to just state the severance when you make the decision and not sugar coat it.

Christopher Pagli I would say when the client is no longer loyal or committed to selling or purchasing. I've never had to sever ties with a client. If I had to I would just tell them it isn't working out for either of us.